CAVM@aol.com said:<snip>
I understand that GE plants upset some folks and I suppose I can
understand
that you would want them excluded from the organic definition under the
theory that you don't know enough about them. Personally, I have no
problem
with them. <snip>
I definately agree we don't know enough about them. My concern is with
those of us who have allergies and have no way of knowing if something we
are violently allergic to may have been hidden in something we normally
can eat with impunity. It is my understanding that one GE effort was
stopped when experimenters learned the gene they transfered from Brazil
nuts produced the very protein that causes most Brazil nut allergies
(many of which are life threatening to affected individuals). We can
only wonder how many such problems have gone undetected and are just
waiting to be identified by some scientist following up on the unexpected
death of an unsuspecting consumer. The mainstream attitude is that if
something isn't harmful to most people, it is ok. It is NOT ok if you
happen to be one of the ones it IS harmful to. Since our system accepts
GE as safe, the only safe recourse people like me have is to grow our own
or buy organic. If organic allowed GE, my food choices would be severely
limited since I have severe food allergies.
CAVM@aol.com said:<snip>
Irradiation seems pretty well tested and safe, having been used in spices
for
years. <snip>
Irridating spices, which are a minor part of most people's diet, is
entirely different from irridating a major component of their diet. Like
GE plants, I'm convinced we don't know enough about it. Microwave ovens
have long been considered "safe" by the mainstream, yet, Science News
reported mayby a year ago that someone (in Japan, I think) had done some
experiments and found a significant nutrient (I'm not sure but it may
have been one of the vitamines) in dairy products was destroyed by
microwave heating. I don't recall all the details, but my point is that
if scientists are just now learning what nutrients are degraded by
microwave ovens, how long will it be before they even know if some
vitamines are selectively destroyed by radiation.
CAVM@aol.com said:<snip>
Biosolids, using the limits for heavy metals and adequate treatment for
pathogens, are a responsible and well used fertilizer world wide.<snip>
I agree in part, but don't believe the original USDA proposal said
anything about limits on heavy metals. With adequate testing, I could be
convinced that biosolids are ok, but I'd require routine sampling, which
would be cost prohibitive.
CAVM@aol.com said:<snip>
"Factory farms" are merely restricted raising of animals which, among
other
things, allows for the cleaning of manures which result from many animals
in
a confined area. The farmers who operate these facilities realize that
sick
and dead animals do not pay. They have no incentive to abuse or neglect
their animals.<snip>
As I see it, confinment animal operations have serious problems with
stress and disease transmition as well as creating environmental problems
due to odors and runoff. (Have you ever driven a mile or so downwind of
an egg factory?--I have yet to notice an offensive odor even 10 feet
away from my chicken house, but, then, I don't have an egg factory).
I agree, sick and dead animals don't pay, so low level antibiotics have
become common place. That is how we got to the point where conventional
meats have so much antibiotic residue that some people who are allergic
to antibiotics have to limit their meat eating to organic. I have one
egg customer who is allergic to several antibiotics and ALSO cannot eat
eggs from the grocery store. She grumbles at my price of $4 a dozen, but
comes back whenever she gets hungry for eggs.
I won't even go into the animal right's activitists' arguments other
than to point out that they increase the marketing base for organic since
some of them will eat organic animal products but will not support
"factory farms" with their consumer dollars.
CAVM@aol.com said:<snip>
Not feeding animals to animals is really confusing. Fish meal, meat and
bone
meal, feather meal, and other byproducts are nutritious and safe feed
ingredients even after the European scares. The current standard of not
feeding ruminants to ruminants seems to be a sufficient protection given
that
there has not been a BSE cow found in the USA. Chickens are natural meat
eaters as are hogs. Ruminants can utilize a wide range of proteins and
fats
due to their digestive systems. I agree that I do not feed meat derived
protein to my horses but that is all. More important in the European
situation was the feeding of dioxin and PCBs to animals through
contaminated
feeds. That was a real tragedy. <snip>
I agree the way I stated this was confusing. I see no reason why
chickens, for example, shouldn't eat earthworms, grasshoppers, fishmeal,
etc. (The grasshoppers were my primary reason for raising chickens--they
make gardening possible in this location.) On the other hand, I see
plenty of reason why chickens should not be fed feather meal. Frankly, I
don't think any bird should be fed the byproduct of another bird or any
mammal fed any byproduct of a mammal. It is my understanding that BSE
originated with sheep. It wouldn't be of nearly so much concern if it
could not ALSO be transmitted to humans, which are NOT ruminants. I
agree with you that dioxin and PCB contamination in feeds is also tragic,
but I think we are risking serious consequences when we feed animal parts
or manure to closely related animals.
CAVM@aol.com said:<snip>
I know that what I say here will have no effect on your views but I
wanted to
express the mainstream viewpoint and some of its rationale. I would be
glad
to hear your response. <snip>
You are right, all you've convinced me of is to clarify my views on
animals being fed animals. I recognize your views are common, and I
defend your rights to express them.
--Edna
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