GM foods and the EU.

[Odin]

The purpose of industry should be to serve the needs of society, not to fill thier pockets! Monsanto would probably sell the GMOs for an arm and a leg, the people who need then the most can't afford it.

[Imran Siddiqui]

The purpose of industry should be to serve the needs of society, not to fill thier pockets!

And industry serves the needs of society the best when they fill their pockets as well . You give them a few ground rules, and let 'em go.

If industry didn't get to fill it's own pockets, then the needs of society end up being served much less. Silly commies .

[Odin]

Ignorant Libertarians.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Moron Communists

[Sikander]

Re: Re: GM foods and the EU.

Originally posted by The Templar

In the US, Monsanto is suing a small dairy in Maine. Why? Because the dairy labels its milk free of artificial hormones. Which it is. But Monsanto is losing money on its artificial hormone business because for some odd reason, consumers prefer their milk artificial hormone-free.

Hey think about this. Hormones in your milk equal larger breasts. Everyone wants larger breasts!

[Sikander]

[Emily Latella] Never Mind! [/Emily Latella]

[Sikander]

The main problem I have here is that GM food producers are put in the position of having to prove a negative, ie that their product is not harmful. Most people agree that there should be testing, but the question is how much? Eventually will products that have been consumed by billions of people over decades still have to be labeled as GM just as a brand new GM product with only a minimum trial would? GM or not isn't the important distinction in such a case.

edit: I had to put a their there instead of there, or they're going to have a laugh at my grammar.

[HershOstropoler]

"The main problem I have here is that GM food producers are put in the position of having to prove a negative, ie that there product is not harmful."

They don't have to prove it, they just have to provide the information so that the authority can determine that a "novel food" does not

- present a danger for the consumer,
- mislead the consumer,
- differ from foods or food ingredients which they are intended to replace to such an extent that their normal consumption would be nutritionally disadvantageous for the consumer.

(Art 3 para 1 Reg 258/97/EC)

That's a standard regulatory technique.

"Eventually will products that have been consumed by billions of people over decades still have to be labeled as GM just as a brand new GM product with only a minimum trial would?"

That's a good question. Once established, they would no longer meet the requirements to fall under the Regulation; it applies

to the placing on the market within the Community of foods and food ingredients which have not hitherto been used for human consumption to a significant degree within the Community...

(Art 1 para 2 Reg 258/97/EC)

[Az]

It's a shame the see such paranoia in the European public.

[CerberusIV]

Originally posted by Azazel
It's a shame the see such paranoia in the European public.

The European public have learnt from experience not to believe most of what governments tell them.

Anyway there are millions of people testing out GM food for us. In a decade or two we will know whether it is safe once any effects start showing up in the American population.

[Az]

The European public have learnt from experience not to believe most of what governments tell them.

"-We ask you to evacuate this area immediately, a hurricane is approaching.
- Nah, you're the GOVERNMENT, you must be after something"


The euro stance on GM is nothing but a fearmongering, panicky attitude.

[HershOstropoler]

The better analogy would be:

"We ask you to stay, there is no hurricane approaching. Well maybe a little wind, but no hurricane. There aren't really hurricanes. Well maybe there are. Sometimes. But not now. Not here. Trust us."

[Az]

It was not an analogy, but explanation to why "never trust the government" is bull****.

your analogy is not correct, as well, because as long as there is a meteorological service, which is working on checking the weather, People that are packing their bags, moving out in hordes, and incourage others to do so, because of a rumor that a hurricane is coming, are hardly logical.

[HershOstropoler]

"as long as there is a meteorological service"

Which barely exists for GM Foods.

[Az]

So, there is no testing done on the edibility and safety of the foods? ( We'll ignore the fact that the vast majority of the claims against GM food are from bizzaro world, for now.)