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Landmark decision in Atan ak Balon¡¯s case
 

BANKS MERGER (4) (REVISED)

BANKS MERGER

Black eye" Again?!

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT

Speech deliver by WONG SING NANG, DAP Sarawak

FOOD PRODUCTS CONTAIN GMOs BE LABELLED

GMOs - Mandatory Labelling

GMOs Labeling: A must !

GMOs – MORATORIUM on GM Crops
 

MEDIA STATEMENT 

GMOs LABELING: A MUST! 

(SIBU 24th March, 2000) 
 

(1) Genetic engineering refers to all technologies that artificially move genes from one organism to another, often from one species to another, to produce ?new? or ?novel? organisms. These techniques involve a highly sophisticated manipulation of genetic material and other biologically important chemicals causing changes in the DNA?s of living organisms. Plant, animals, micro organism and other species or organisms that express particular traits or characteristics are considered genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 

(2) The risks posed to human health by GMOs have been strongly debated in the past decade. Proponents of genetic engineering have conceded that the risks involved in this technology are inevitable despite their assurance that GMOs are safe for human health. However, some cases have already proven the contrary. 

(3) When a transgenic soybean was first developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred in 1996, a protein gene from Brazil nut engineered into the soybean to improve its nutritional make up. People allergic to Brazil nut also developed an allergy to the engineered soybean (see the Gene Exchange June 1996). 

(4) Genetic engineering experiments on plants continue to use antibiotics as genetics markers. Such is the case in the development of Bt rice by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) which uses ampicilin and hygromycin as markers. (see presentation of Dr. John Bennett, Senior IRRI Scientist, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in November, 1997). This trend raises concern on organisms that cause diseases will more quickly develop resistance to antibiotics which is a major public health problem. 
 

(5) A study was done by Dr. Arpad Pusztai of British Rowett Research Institute (attached for 35 years until his ouster in August 1998) on effects of genetically engineered potatoes on rats. In his research, the scientist fed rats on two strains of potatoes genetically engineered with lectin from snowdrop bulbs, another with snowdrop lectin simply added and the last one with ordinary potatoes. To his surprise, he found the immune systems and brains, livers, kidneys and other vital organs of the rats fed with genetically modified potatoes were damaged, but not of the rats fed with ordinary ones or those simply spiked with lectin. (see Independent, UK, 12/3/99). 

(6) On 17th May, 1999, the British Medical issued a report which called for a moratorium on genetically engineered foods and crops, with a warning that commercialization of these products could led to development of new allergies and antibiotic resistance. 

(7) IN ASIAWEEK January 21, 2000 , in a special report as SOCIETY titled ?SEEDS OF DIVISION?, it contains a list: LABELING: WHERE WE STAND as follows 

COUNTRY STATUS 

BRITIAN Labeling required on GM foods, including some served in restaurants 

CHINA In initial stages of drafting policies to govern sale and use of GM food. 

HONG KONG Government rejects mandatory labeling. 

JAPAN Will require labeling of GM foods beginning April 2001. 

MALAYSIA Advocates voluntary labeling. Considering further legislation. 

PHILIPPINES Senate bill tabled, seeking mandatory labeling. 

SINGAPORE Government committee to make recommendations this year 

SOUTH KOREA Will require labeling of some foods by March 2001. 

THAILAND No labeling of foods required, but GM seeds cannot be imported. 

U.S. No labeling required. Considers GM and conventional crops identical. 

(8) In view of the uncertain health and ecological effects, it is time to formulate policy and regulation on the commercial production and marketing of GMOs foods and products. There isn?t any guidelines that govern researches and experiments involving GMOs. 

Worse, there is very low awareness on the issues and its implications among the producers and consumers, even among regulators and policy makers. 

(9) The Government should embark on public awareness campaign on the issues and the consumers should put pressure on the government to pass legislation on the need to label and segregate GMOs from conventional crops.