Letter from my Senator

A few weeks ago I sent a (form) letter to my US senator letting him know that I don't want GM Salmon allowed into our food supply.  The reply I got back made me realize my senator is either a) not well informed or b) in the back pocket of biotechnology business.  I've highlighted the sections I agree with in green and those I believe my senator to be wrong in yellow.

Dear Ms. B:

Thank you for contacting me about the production and distribution of genetically modified (GM) foods.  I appreciate having the benefit of your comments.

The United States enjoys the safest and most plentiful food supply in the world.  Key to our successes are production and safety practices rooted in sound scientific practices.  Among these practices, biotechnology, though still in its infancy, has the potential to help keep U.S. agriculture at the world's forefront while ensuring a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply.

Underscoring the immense size and slow response time of the federal government, biotechnology development, and the development of GM foods, continually outpaces the standards of federal agencies that regulate and monitor food products.  Several federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), have a role in the development, production, and marketing stages of the entire U.S. food supply—whether traditional or GM.  Any plant or animal product intended for human consumption must undergo strict scrutiny by the FDA and USDA.  Additionally, the USDA must review and approve all GM crop varieties—subject to further examination by the Environmental Protection Agency—before planting.

As you know, food containing GM plant varieties is now commonplace.  The Congressional Research Service estimates that nearly 70 percent of the U.S. food supply contains some form of GM crop variety—most notably corn and soy-based ingredients used in many processed foods.  However, a small category of dairy products is currently the only GM food product derived from animals to be approved.  Although questions were raised about the safety of meat and dairy products derived from cloned animals, the FDA has concluded that these products are as safe as meat and dairy products derived from naturally born animals.  Cloning technology does not alter the genetic makeup of an animal, but rather generates an exact copy.  The FDA is currently developing guidelines for monitoring the marketing of cloned and other animal-based food products with the help of the USDA and the biotechnology industry.

Additionally, questions have been raised regarding labeling requirements for GM foods.  No government regulation exists to compel food manufacturers to label a product that contains a GM variety, however GM food products are subject to all existing USDA and FDA safety and labeling requirements.  Moreover, the USDA has determined that cloned animals will not qualify for the USDA Organic marketing label.

I appreciate having the opportunity to represent Texans in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will work to ensure that decisions concerning the development, production, and marketing of our food supply continue to be rooted in sound and safe scientific practice.  Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN

United States Senator

517 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Tel: (202) 224-2934

Fax: (202) 228-2856

http://www.cornyn.senate.gov

What's In A Name???

So why "Food for Thought?" Simply because that's what I think about so much these days. But not because I'm hungry or anything. I think about food, and our food supply, because over the last couple years I have become more aware of what's in it, where it's coming from, and just how bad it's become.

How did this journey begin?  Well about 2 years ago my husband decided that he was going to try Sari Mellman's Nutritional Program for Applied Immunology - I know it's a mouth full.  When first described the program to me I was quite skeptical, but the more I learned about the it the more intrigued I became.

It starts with a blood draw. -- When I've told people that they all ask if it's the "Blood Type Diet."  No it isn't. -- They take your blood and test it against a series of foods.  Then they return a list those foods your system reacts to along with a list of foods you should be able to eat with out problem, and on what day you can try them.  Are you confused yet?

Think of it like this.  When you start a baby eating solid foods you give them one thing, say peas.  After that first day of eating the peas you wait a couple days to see if the baby has any kind of reaction to them  If they don't then you know they can keep eating the peas.  If they do, you don't give them the peas again.

Just by being on this program I think about food every day, because even seasonings need to be introduced one at a time. Processed foods, forget it!!!  Because this diet is so individualized, every single ingredient needs to be "challenged" before it can be eaten on a regular basis.  Oh, and another thing about this progam... they suggest, wherever possible, to eat organic, because the chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, insecticides) need to be "challenged" too.   If I wasn't a label reader before, I certainly am now.

Okay, fast forward to last spring.  I was talking to my dentist about, I don't even remember.  (Probably something about corn.) He told me to go look on YouTube for videos about Monsanto.  So I did.  Boy did that freak me out.  What I started learning about GM/GE (Genetically Modified/Genetically Engineered) foods made me so upset.

Over the last few months I've read a lot on the internet, "Liked" several pages on Facebook, read some books and even watched videos & DVDs all about GMO foods that we, as a society, are eating and don't even know it.  Our wonderful U.S. government is allowing big agro businesses use us as guinnea pigs in their food experiements.

That in a nutshell is why I've been thinking about food so much.  And that is why I've decided to name this blog "Food For Thought: What This Momma Is Thinking"