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A study released by the Union of Concerned Scientists on 23 February, documents research showing that the traditional varieties of three major US food crops are found to have DNA from genetically engineered crops. According to Dr. Margaret Mellon, the lead author of the study, “This study shatters the presumption that at least one portion of the seed supply — that for traditional varieties of crops — is truly free of genetically engineered elements… There is no reason to believe that the contamination of the seed supply is limited to what we found.” To perform the study, the scientists had purchased six traditional varieties of canola, corn and soybeans from commercial distributors and tested the seeds at two independent commercial laboratories. GM seed levels ranged from 0.05 to 1 percent. In conclusions the report calls for a widespread study on seed contamination, a reservoir of seeds free from GM influence and stricter regulations on biotech crops. Friends of the Earth also released a report on 23 February, highlighting the experiences from the last 10 years with genetically modified (GM) crops. The report “Genetically Modified crops: a decade of failure [1994-2004]” outlines problems such as: threat to biodiversity, consumer reluctance towards GM foods, increased ecological vulnerability associated with monoculture agriculture. The report also touches upon the relationship between GMO agriculture, food distribution and malnutrition.
“Modified Seeds Found Amid Unmodified Crops,” NEW YORK TIMES, 24 February 2004; “Genetically Engineered DNA Found In Traditional US Crops,” ENS, 24 February 2004.
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