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Webinar 3, GMO Speaker Training How to expose the lack of credibility of GMO proponents, and expose their spin How to ask questions Raise hands and I’ll “call” on you Questions Is there a release date for your new DVD? Does the DVD address the health risks? I would like to show it as part of the October education effort and I need to reserve a venue months in advance. Question Is the PPT available for the public? Can’t access the recorded session? Questions Cloned cows, and milk from cloned cows? Volunteer sought to Compile the script into a word doc Put in the slides next to the script Softening words of Science No “proof” Suggests Preliminary evidence Converging lines of evidence indicate Fed, not led “Wild” soybeans as controls Skin prick test “One patient had a positive skin test result to GMO soybeans only.” Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, 2005 Mice fed GM soy Pancreas Reduced digestive enzymes Altered cell structure Altered gene expression Journal of Anatomy, 2002 European Journal of Histochemistry, 2003 Possible causes for increase allergies Digestion impaired New allergen created Known allergen increased Herbicide residues increased Roundup Ready protein may be allergenic Roundup Ready protein produced inside us (Continuously) Relative priority of evidence Not all the points are of equal import Bt is particularly strong Anecdotal evidence is important for the public, but not well received in certain scientific circles Ermakova’s Russian rat study has weaknesses, but overwhelming statistics Increasing US disease rates don’t imply causality, so we need to demonstrate we know that. But it is important to raise the question. Legal ways to implicate Allegedly Seems to Appears to My opinion Style points Model optimism No need to emphasize negative emotions. The facts are potent enough. Can be humorous in the face of gloomy details Find FDA Documents http://biointegrity.org/list.html Agency scientists warned of: Allergens Toxins New diseases Nutritional problems GM plants could “contain unexpected high concentrations of plant toxicants.” “The possibility of unexpected, accidental changes in genetically engineered plants justifies a limited traditional toxicological study.” FDA Toxicology Group 1. “Increased levels of known naturally occurring toxins”, 2. “Appearance of new, not previously identified” toxins, 3. Increased tendency to gather “toxic substances from the environment” such as “pesticides or heavy metals”, and 4. “Undesirable alterations in the levels of nutrients.” They recommended testing every GM food “before it enters the marketplace.” Division of Food Chemistry and Technology “Residues of plant constituents or toxicants in meat and milk products may pose human food safety concerns.” Gerald Guest, Director, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) FDA declares GMOs no different “The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way.” “Statement of Policy” May 29, 1992 Food and Drug Administration Secret FDA documents confirmed that the facts contradicted the statement What was said within FDA “The processes of genetic engineering and traditional breeding are different, and according to the technical experts in the agency, they lead to different risks.” Linda Kahl, FDA compliance officer By “trying to force an ultimate conclusion that there is no difference between foods modified by genetic engineering and foods modified by traditional breeding practices,” the agency was “trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.” Linda Kahl, FDA compliance officer “Animal feeds derived from genetically modified plants present unique animal and food safety concerns.” “I would urge you to eliminate statements that suggest that the lack of information can be used as evidence for no regulatory concern.” Gerald Guest, Director, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) “There is a profound difference between the types of unexpected effects from traditional breeding and genetic engineering,” “There is no certainty that [breeders] will be able to pick up effects that might not be obvious.” “This is the industry’s pet idea, namely that there are no unintended effects that will raise the FDA’s level of concern. But time and time again, there is no data to back up their contention.” FDA microbiologist Louis Pribyl “What has happened to the scientific elements of this document? Without a sound scientific base to rest on, this becomes a broad, general, ‘What do I have to do to avoid trouble’-type document. . . . It will look like and probably be just a political document. . . . It reads very pro-industry, especially in the area of unintended effects.” FDA microbiologist Louis Pribyl ‘Based on the safety and nutritional assessment you have conducted, it is our understanding that Monsanto has concluded that corn products derived from this new variety are not materially different in composition, safety, and other relevant parameters from corn currently on the market, and that the genetically modified corn does not raise issues that would require premarket review or approval by FDA. . . . as you are aware, it is Monsanto’s responsibility to ensure that foods marketed by the firm are safe...’” FDA Letter to Monsanto, 1996 Who overruled the scientists? Michael Taylor • In charge of FDA policy • Former Monsanto attorney • Later Monsanto vice president • Now US Food Safety Czar Antibiotic Resistant Genes “IT WOULD BE A SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD TO INTRODUCE A GENE THAT CODES FOR ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE INTO THE NORMAL FLORA OF THE GENERAL POPULATION.” Director, Division of Anti-infective Drug Products Dr. Arpad Pusztai GM potatoes damaged rats (10 or 110 days) Rats developed • Potentially pre-cancerous cell growth in the digestive tract • Smaller brains, livers and testicles • Partial atrophy of the liver, and • Immune system damage Lancet, 1999 & others Intestinal Wall Non-GM GM Stomach lining Non-GM GM Other stifled scientists Ecologists can’t access seeds Turkish scientist transferred GM Nation Debate: Threats and block voting Carasco on birth defects G.E. Seralini Mae-Wan Ho Richard Burroughs Monsanto’s own former employees Kirk Azevedo Scientist relating rbGH story and rigged research story Rigged Research rbGH Soil protein Journal of Nutrition case study Transfer of transgenes to gut bacteria is optimized • Bacterial sequences are easier to transfer to bacteria • The gene’s promoter works in bacteria Chickens fed Liberty Link corn died at twice the rate Industry study Death of baby rats >50% 10% Irina Ermakova, 2005-2007 Control GM-soy Non-GM soy GM-soy group Control Non-GM soy Ermakova Irina, 2005-2007 Mortality of rat offspring for one day GM-soy Rat litters at 9-days from mothers fed non-GM or GM soy. Non-GM soy group GM-soy group Irina Ermakova, 2005-2007 19-day old rats Larger rat is from control group smaller from GM-soy group. Irina Ermakova, 2005-2007 Preliminary evidence Rat offspring did not conceive When the entire Russian facility began using GM soy-based feed, infant mortality for all rats hit 55.3%. L-tryptophan produced by GM bacteria Killed about 100 and caused 5,000-10,000 to fall sick The epidemic was discovered because the disease 1. Was new, with unique symptoms 2. Acute 3. Came on quickly Myths Feed the World Yield Safe Lower chemical use Profits Papaya Well regulated Golden rice Here to stay Handling a pro-GMO audient Very welcoming Invite them to meet afterwards Refer to teams if scientists with differing opinions Sometimes the audience will try to hush someone Homework Present the 20 minute talk and take feedback Speakers Bureau We won’t post names We will refer inquiries Based on Experience Credentials Audience feedback Our own review (video) Panels Speakers Bureau Speakers vs Presenter/Hosts (Q & A) Sept 8 webinar Activists Circle Homework Webinar 4 is: The large scope of the problem Action steps Homework Contamination blog http://www.responsibletechnology.org/util ity/showArticle/?objectID=2527 Glyphosate 2-pager on /webinardocs Homework The Campaign for Healthier Eating in America http://www.responsibletechnology.org/G MFree/CampaignforHealthierEatinginAm erica/index.cfm 3 minute video: What Can We Do Home page http://www.responsibletechnology.org/G MFree/Home/index.cfm Homework Supermarket News http://supermarketnews.com/viewpoints/ stakeholders-gmo-debate-prepare1207/index.html Non-GMO Project website www.nongmoproject.org Homework New attack website: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffreysmith/pseudo-scientific-defense_b_528477.html Anniversary of a Whistleblowing Hero http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffreysmith/anniversary-of-a-whistleb_b_675817.html Biotech Propaganda Cooks Dangers Out of GM Potatoes http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffreysmith/biotech-propaganda-cooks_b_675957.html Homework Practice the 20 minute presentation with a buddy Offer/receive feedback (start with positive) Practice Buddies Listen for: Over statements Humor Enthusiasm and hope Confidence Authority