GM foods and the EU.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Gibsie
They can get around it by having it packaged in another country though, then that counts as the countrt it was made in

That's true... the packaging of the product determines the 'Made in'.

I don't understand this labeling of GM foods. Like pointed out earlier, every food has been GMed, they are just doing it faster now. Sure, if you want label your food as 'Organic', which basically means less GM than the regular food, but to assume that there can be any food that hasn't been GMed in the past is just silly.

[Geronimo]

sorry, the gist of my post had already been posted here twice.

[Odin]

I am not against GMOs, I am against greedy jackasses like Monsanto who try to patent a living thing. Living things should not be patented.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by HershOstropoler
The ban is still on? Funny, I used to think it was lifted in October 2002.

Out of curiosity did they ever pay the fines the EU slapped on them?

[Proteus_MST]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

I don't understand this labeling of GM foods. Like pointed out earlier, every food has been GMed, they are just doing it faster now. Sure, if you want label your food as 'Organic', which basically means less GM than the regular food, but to assume that there can be any food that hasn't been GMed in the past is just silly.

Not only faster.
They also have a greater Liberty of altering the genetic Layout of certain Plants and therefore also have a greater Chance to cause harm.
As in the Example with the genetic manipulated Soybeans, where DuPont tried to introduce Genes of Nuts and by doing it also introduced the Genes which caused the Allergenes to which Peanut Allergics showed increased Sensitivity to be produced by the Soybeans.
Afterwards they also tried to introduce the Genes of Sunflowers into the Soybeans, but again they triggered the Production of certain Allergenes and so they had to abandon the Project to increaser the Productivity of Soybeans.

So I think that this new Stage of Gene manipulating bears much greater Dangers for the consumer than the traditional way of genetic Manipulation through systematic Breeding.
At least if you don´t thoroughly test the Plants which are produced by this newer Form of genetic Manipulation.

[yavoon]

it just seems like a good deal for the EU. they pay their farmers enuff. they hardly want more competition.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Out of curiosity did they ever pay the fines the EU slapped on them?

1996: European Commission imposes a worldwide ban on British beef exports
1999: Commission declares worldwide markets open again
2000: Germany agrees to take UK imports
2001: European Court of Justice rules French refusal to take British beef illegal
June 2002: Commission asks European Court to impose daily fines of £100,000 against France
Sept 2002: French food agency advises lifting the ban and the French government complies



Fines cannot be imposed retrospectively, so no.

[Odin]

If greedy corporations don't get in the way, GMOs can do a lot of good. Grasses grown in 3rd world counties (rice, sourgum, millet, etc.) are poor in protein. The plants can be modified so that more protein goes to the seed, thus helping the health of the people.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Odin
If greedy corporations don't get in the way,

I think you mean irrational European hysteria and stupidity.

[Odin]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
I think you mean irrational European hysteria and stupidity.

No, I mean greedy jackasses like Monsanto.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yes, without 'greedy' corporations you don't get GM food at all .

[Odin]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Yes, without 'greedy' corporations you don't get GM food at all .

Libertarians are too naive to take part in this discussion because they think corporations are good.

LIVING THINGS SHOULDN'T BE PATENTED, IT IS UNETHICAL!!!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Communists are too dumb to take part in this discussion because they think corporations are bad .

Corporations ARE good. Much better than the government. I'll trust Dell to build me a better computer than the US government anyday .

And, IIRC, a vast majority of genetic modification of foods to make them 'better' have been done by corporations, not the government.

[Proteus_MST]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Corporations ARE good. Much better than the government. I'll trust Dell to build me a better computer than the US government anyday .

Only if you´vegot the money.
If you don´t have the money, the Salespeople at Dell probably won´t even look at you

[Imran Siddiqui]

Only if you´vegot the money.
If you don´t have the money, the Salespeople at Dell probably won´t even look at you

Neither will the government .