Page 17 - Summer2008

Caustic Commentary

University of Kansas found that genetic modication actually skin. Victims describe a “sensation of things crawling beneath
cuts the productivity of crops, with output of GM soybeans the skin.” The  bers, apparently made of cellulose, “are like
about 10 percent less than its conventional equivalent. Pro- pliable plastic and can be several millimeters long. . . ne as

fessor Barney Gordon of Kansas State University’s depart- spider silk, yet strong enough to distend the skin when you
ment of agronomy reports that many farmers have reported pull them. . .” Many doctors insist that the syndrome is a
lower yields using GMO soybeans. A similar situation has “delusional parasitosis” and prescribe anti-psychotic drugs.
occurred with cotton, where the total US crop declined as Nevertheless, CDC has a webpage on Morgellon’s (describ-
the GM technology took over (www.commondreams.org/ar- ing it as “unexplained dermopathy”) and many sufferers have
chive/2008/04/20/8405/). GMO apologists counter that using described their very physical symptoms on websites and
GMO crops designed to withstand herbicides like Roundup blogs. Recently a researcher named Ahmed Kilani claims to
have helped farmers be more productive. But weeds are have analyzed the  bers and found that they contain genetic
now becoming herbicide-resistant. Johnson grass, one of the material from both a fungus and a bacterium that are used
world’s most troublesome weeds, has become resistant to in the commercial preparation of genetically modi ed foods
Roundup at sites in Arkansas and Mississippi (deltafarmpress. (http://www.unknowncountry.com/news/?id=6486). If such
com/soybeans.johnsongrass-scott-0319/). Many studies have reports can be con rmed with additional analyses, we predict
indicated that GMO foods can have negative health conse- a very hasty demise of GMOs.

quences but perhaps the nal blow to GMOs will come with
the association of GMO fungal and bacterial vectors with a BUDGET CRISIS
horrible condition called Morgellon’s disease. Named after a Isn’t it interesting how every revelation about dangers in the
skin condition described in the 1600s caused by the human modern food supply serves as a spring board to promote more
scabie mite, the modern version is characterized by intensely processed foods. Thus, the industry has infused warnings
itchy sores that produce multicolor bers emerging from the about the dangers of saturated fats like butter into reports on

fat.” More than 46 million pounds of the new-fangled cheese have been used in the National School Lunch Program
since the cheese was introduced in February, 1995 (www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/mar08/foods0308.htm).
And if the thought of consuming alginates doesn’t make you feel too good, consider potato proteins “obtained as
processing waste from the potato industry,” to be sold as blood pressure-lowering compounds (www.foodnavigator-usa.
com/news/ng.asp?id=83904-potato-protein-ace-inhibitors-hypertension), or cranberry proteins, advertised as a “non-
dairy, non-soy” source of complete proteins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, dietary fiber, minerals and antioxidants
(www.npicenter.com/anm/templates/newsATemp.aspx?articleid=20551&zoneid=8).
For those concerned about gaining weight while eating all those lowfat, high-carb foods, help is here in the form
of Hi-Maize resistant starch. This corn-derived product “resists” digestion in the small intestine and is added to breads,
cereals, pasta and baked goods. It has a low glycemic index, is lower in available calories than regular carbs and, best of
all, it doesn’t have to appear on the label! No, it can just be hidden as “fiber,” but the effects of the indigestible starch
on your digestion may not be so hidden.
Finally, in response to increasing problems with pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, food manufacturers are
coming up with products that occur naturally in raw milk, including probiotic raw milk bacteria “to lower blood pressure
and protect dairy foods from harmful microbes” (www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/mar08/foods0308.htm). Another is
an anti-bacteria substance called nisin, produced by Lactococcus lactis, a bacterium that occurs in raw milk but not in
pasteurized milk. USDA has developed a biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) film from “corn residues” that incorpo-
rates nisin and can be used “for wrapping meats and as a liner to coat the insides of drinks containers.” Researchers are
also testing another film made from nisin and pectin, which would be edible (www.newscientist.com/channel/health/
mg19726495.100-cornbased-film-foils-foodpoisoning-bugs.html?feedId=online-news_rss20).

SUMMER 2008 Wise Traditions 15