For dinner: Genetically altered ‘super chicken’
Super Chicken strutted a step closer to the dinner table Thursday. The government said it will start considering proposals to sell genetically engineered animals as food, a move that could lead to faster-growing fish, cattle that can resist mad cow disease or perhaps heart-healthier eggs laid by a new breed of chickens.
The rules will also apply to drugs and other medical materials from genetically engineered animals, a field with explosive potential.
U.S. supermarkets currently sell no meat from genetically engineered animals. But a Boston-area company called Aqua Bounty Technologies hopes to win approval next year for its faster-growing salmon and make the fish available by 2011. “It tastes just like any other farm-raised salmon,” said vice chairman Elliot Entis, who has sampled it.
Reaction from consumer groups was mixed. They welcomed the government’s decision to regulate genetically altered animals, but they cautioned that crucial details remain to be spelled out. For example, the Food and Drug Administration does not plan to require that all genetically engineered meat, poultry and fish be labeled as such. It would be labeled only if there was a change in the final product, such as low-cholesterol filet mignon.
“They are talking about pigs that are going to have mouse genes in them, and this is not going to be labeled?” said Jean Halloran, director of food policy for Consumers Union. “We are close to speechless on this.” Consumers Union publishes Consumer Reports magazine.
[…]
What would happen if a genetically engineered animal escaped and started reproducing with wild animals of the same species? asked Jaffe. The FDA said it would address that issue.
From this gist of this article, I guess that genetically-engineered agricultural products that will increase crop yields in third-world countries is a bad thing.
I’m surprised to find such anti-science leftist agitprop in DU.
Where exactly do you see an anti-science stance? If very well regulated, I have no problem generally with the concept of genetically engineered food.
Don’t jump to conclusions or put words in my mouth.
I happen to like leftist agitprop. And I don’t much fancy that fishtail tomato.
Uh, when one of the fearful finds any scientific test that can take a sample of meat from a supermarket and determine whether it’s GM or not – mail me a penny postcard about it and I’ll consider worrying.
There is no difference in the end product.
And, yes, I agree with Uncle Dave. There are beaucoup people on the Left around the world who make science a higher priority for understanding than spooky superstitions. The latter lies solidly in the camp of nutballs and neocons.
How is this new? The Native Americans genetically modified corn by crossbreeding different varieties together. Jacob from the Bible genetically modified cows by breeding certain bulls and cows together so a greater percentage would be sold colored.
If you thin corn is a naturally growing plant and cows can be wild animals, you are wrong. Both need humans to take care of them.
Without the higher yields of genetic strains, how can we feed the world? We will have Malthusian problems without modern agri-science.
I truly do not understand why so many people get all crazy about GM food.
Given that GM food has been in the food chain for well over a decade with not problems at all, and that food production has increased with much fewer pesticides where GM crops are being grown, then what’s the problem?
We know the problem. There is an entire group of people out there who have lower than average intelligence with too much time on their hands. When they are not campaigning for PETA, the go after GM crops because they are afraid of what they don’t understand.
This seems to be the very same crowd that wants the human race to regress 200 years, eliminate 4/5 of the human population (themselves not included of course), and live on communist style communes 50’s style.
The problem with “Genetically Modified Food” is that the PROFIT-MONGERS want to introduce it without ADEQUATE TESTING, INCLUDING LONG-TERM TESTS !!! The PUBLIC are to be used as GUINEA PIGS IN LONG TERM TESTING !!! We have had DISASTERS OF THIS SORT BEFORE – THINK THALIDOMIDE !!! And we see the effects of HORMONE DOPED FARM ANIMALS IN KIDS – they reach PUBERTY SOONER, AND SOONER !!! And as was pointed out in one of Michale Moore’s films, the BOOM IN THE APPLICATION OF THE “WONDERFUL WORLD OF CHEMISTRY” after WWII is TRACKED BY AN UPSURGE IN ***CANCERS OF ALL KINDS*** !!! Coincidence ???
Ben has it right genetically engineered food is pretty much all we eat. It is not a bad thing. I am all for it.
Veg and meat are starches, proteins, sugars and complex hydrocarbons. Eating DNA doesn’t make you into the plant or animal. Moo. Whoops. Did I just say that?
Food GOOOD!!
GM BAAD!!
@#4: “There is no difference in the end product.” There is clear difference in taste and appearance even between farm raised and wild product, nevermind GM-ed one (easiest consumer example, salmon, mentioned in the article. To which salmon taste does the “taster” compare it?). Than we come to the substance of it: genetic testing will be able to tell you which is which, clearly.
@#5: “How is this new? The Native Americans genetically modified corn by crossbreeding…” – no one has problem with crossbreeding which is naturally possible. It is naturally impossible to mate fish and tomato and we do not have millions of years of natural/evolutionary testing of it to show to us that there are no consequences (ex. extinction, ours).
@#6: You are identifying the wrong group of people with this. As a scientist I am opposed to GM introduced into our food chain “just because it is possible”. I’d prefer “because it is possible and we tested it long term for unpredictable results before exposing huge population to it”. Also, the crucial requirement is for it to be clearly labeled as GM-ed. So, that the end user can pick the risk level he/she is comfortable with.
My personal worry is possibility this opens for viruses to cross species. We still feel the effects of the last one that have done it (and jumped very thin barrier between the primates in the rare and natural way).
#11
You actually raise some good issues, particularly the concern about viruses. We live in a world where we see unintended consequences all of the time, often because policy makers were in a hurry to please someone – often ‘someone’ with the biggest pot of money, usually not Joe taxpayer.
#11.
Now that raises a question. Let’s say a cow was crossed with a mouse. A cow-mouse. Therefore any virus which could infect this animal could also possibly affect cows and mice. This is assuming that a virus which could infect a cow could latch onto the cellular receptors of a cow-mouse and visa versa. It may not. A cow-mouse could be entirely immune to both cow and mouse viruses.
But certainly a virus which could infect a cow, a mouse, or a cow-mouse would find it extremely difficult if not impossible to infect a human. Vastly different cellular receptors.
Viruses jumping to the human population is a direct result of the vector animal being in close proximity to humans.
This was the root cause of all viruses jumping from the animal population to the human population. Bird Flu, Swine flu, Aids, etc. Close human proximity in unsanitary conditions is essential.
Therefore, the chances of a virus jumping from a genetically modified animal to humans is exactly the same as a virus jumping from a non-modified animal to humans.
The only possible exception to this would be if an animal’s DNA was crossed with human DNA. I don’t see this meat ending up on anyone’s deli counter anytime soon. (Hannibal Lecter, anyone?)
Therefore, it seems that the fear of a virus crossing from a genetically modified animal to a human is a red herring.
#13–Ah Yea==so you aren’t troubled at all with some mouse virus wiping out all the cows?
Very specieist (sp) of you.
It just depends on how good Cow-Mouse taste…
Kinda like chicken McNuggets. Bite Size!
Anyways, it’s just as probably as a pig virus wiping out all of humanity. (Swine flu. Nasty but we are still here).
Cow-Mouse? Humm? Product names: MickeyMoo, Bovarmint, RatSteak?
GM on the way to SOYLENT GREEN !!! Why waste all that PROTIEN ???
P.S. to the above: “I taste DEAD PEOPLE!!!”
Well, GM food is far better than GM vehicles…yuk, yuk, yuk.
More seriously, say some pig DNA gets mixed up with something else and word gets out. Then, the Muslims sue/riot/cut off the oil/drop the Chrysler Building because they think they have been poisoned? Hindu’s and beef? Jews and lobster?
Oh, and #6″This seems to be the very same crowd that wants the human race to regress 200 years, eliminate 4/5 of the human population (themselves not included of course), and live on communist style communes 50’s style.”
I’m all for eliminating 4/5 of the human population, but not the rest of it. Too damned many people on the planet, that should be obvious to anyone, except perhaps Sarah Palin. No need to regress. I adore technology when it is useful. GM food is indeed useful, and I await it with open arms. Ditto irradiated food: less germs. And where is my damned flying car, personal jet pack and fusion reactor watch that are 25 years over due. Humm?
#19 Dave – “And where is my damned flying car, personal jet pack and fusion reactor watch that are 25 years over due. Humm?”
You didn’t get yours?? We all got ours about 12 years ago.
#13, Ah Yea,
Good post, but totally wrong.
But certainly a virus which could infect a cow, a mouse, or a cow-mouse would find it extremely difficult if not impossible to infect a human.
Can you point out some studies demonstrating this? For example, Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis is strongly believed to infect people. AIDS is believed to originate in African monkeys. Some forms of influenza are known to coexist in animals.
Viruses jumping to the human population is a direct result of the vector animal being in close proximity to humans.
Such as the farmer. Who has a family that attend school and shop in town.
Close human proximity in unsanitary conditions is essential.
Not true. Vectoring has more to do with the proximity of the host and recipient.
Therefore, the chances of a virus jumping from a genetically modified animal to humans is exactly the same as a virus jumping from a non-modified animal to humans.
Can you show us any studies of this? How about a study showing that GM animals are less (or more) capable of carrying specie jumping pathogens?
This highlights the difference between faith and trust. Many of those in favor of not labeling GM foods are taking it on faith that they are safe. The studies are all small and generally address other issues than safety. Those wanting GM labeling also have trust that science will prove or disprove that safety.
Regardless, I still want the choice between eating GM and non-GM food.
#16 The Monster’s Lawyer.
LOL! Sounds like a marketing plan to me!
Now fusion.
We both agree on your conclusion, “Regardless, I still want the choice between eating GM and non-GM food.”
Absolutely, at least give us the chance to choose. I bet most of the world will even eat cow-mouse if it means not starving to death.
Now to the rest. Since I don’t have time to go into remedial biology here, and since it seems apparent that you need a refresher in the fundamentals of viral transmission, may I recommend starting on these two links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_spread_of_H5N1
Also examine the conditions under which the cross-viral contaminations took place, especially in China and Indonesia.
This will get you started.
#22, Ah Yea,
I think we are quibbling here, … but, what the hell, I’m discussing this with an intelligent person.
Absolutely, at least give us the chance to choose. I bet most of the world will even eat cow-mouse if it means not starving to death.
I just finished a book not too long ago about Germany in the last few months of WWII. Some people were so hungry they were filling flour with sawdust and even eating grass. Most cases of cannibalism are the difference between starvation and life. So yes, people will eat something they otherwise wouldn’t if they don’t have a choice. Starvation does not qualify as a choice.
And I have neither the time nor inclination to take some remedial biology here. The point earlier was that there was no trials or studies demonstrating virus transmission or susceptibility in GM and cloned foods. The actual production in most cases have been to small to support any studies. In short, we just don’t know.
If it’s cheaper so I can save money a bigger house (or two) and a bigger SUV, then sure I’ll eat it.
Yes Fusion, you’ve got a very good point. Starvation doesn’t qualify as having a choice.
Although not an immediate problem in much of the world, but a looming problem in other parts, I wonder if providing sufficient protein will be the impetus to acceptance of hybrid animals?
#13
You don’t think that eating something puts you in close proximity? That’s about as close as it gets.
Let’s suppose that a virus is an agent in mouse liver cells . And some of that mouse DNA gets spliced into a cow. And you eat the cow-mouse. With some viral DNA intertwined with the mouse sequence. Then, in a 1/100,000,000 event, after traversing your liver, that mouse virus DNA mutates and suddenly has an affinity for your DNA. Viruses mutate all the time. That’s a given. Thus, the unintended consequence: suddenly a virus that humans would otherwise never come into contact with has breached the walls. Game over.
Disclaimer: This is an entirely fictional, fabricated account of a remotely possible event that is not currently supported by any studies. It definitely won’t happen…until it does.
Well we could all become Vegetarians, but I don’t want my brain to shrink…
#27 Ah_Yea,
With some of the posters on this blog, how would we be able to tell?
“Regardless, I still want the choice between eating GM and non-GM food.”
You are about a decade late. It is here and it aint goin away.