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De:
Luiz Meira <luizmeira@aleph.com.br>
Data: Sex Mar 5, 1999 2:12
pm
Assunto: [gen-ocidio] Impacto Ambiental
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>
> By Rory Carroll
> Guardian (london) Friday February 19, 1999
>
> A vision of genetically modified crops unleashing invasive species on
> the plant and animal kingdoms was given in a government report
> yesterday.
>
> Domino effects could sweep through the food chain and threaten the
> survival of Britain's wildlife unless GM crops were properly
> regulated, the advisory committee on releases to the environment said.
> The technology could accelerate the decline in bird populations
> triggered 30 years ago by the introduction of specialised land use,
> hedgerow removal, pesticides and fertilizers.
>
> The Government's commitment to protect farmland wildlife obliged it to
> take these declines into account when vetting GM crop applications,
> said the report. "The introduction of GM crops in the UK should not
> prejudice the objectives of enhancing biodiversity."
>
> It identified the potentially adverse effects of releasing such crops
> into the environment:
>
> The persistence, invasiveness and competitiveness of new species could
> change the population dynamics of surrounding areas by overwhelming
> native plants and reducing the animal species that depend on them for
> survival.
>
> Wind or insects could transfer inserted genetic material to native
> plants, turning them into hybrids with selective advantages over other
> native plants, which may then suffer.
>
> Soil decomposition may be affected by changed nitrogen and carbon
> recycling processes.
>
> The law of unintended effect may result if GM plants unexpectedly turn
> out to be unpalatable to herbivores, a trait which could be
> transferred to native species.
>
> The report said these effects could also occur as a result of
> conventional plant breeding programmes, but the risk of transferring
> genetic material between unrelated organisms was unique to GM
> technology. On Wednesday, Monsanto, one of the world's largest
> producers of GM foods, was fined £17,000 by magistrates in
> Lincolnshire for failing to stop an altered crop from escaping into
> the environment.
>
> The report said the introduction of novel pest and disease resistant
> genes could reduce the need for crop rotations, which are important in
> maintaining a variety of wildlife species. "On the other hand, the use
> of GM crops could reduce the need for tillage, thus helping to
> conserve soil moisture levels, and a range of organisms dependent on
> this."
>
> Wildlife could also benefit if the new crops reduced chemical usage,
> said the report, which complained that there were not enough
> experimental trials to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages.
>
> Veiled criticism was levelled at the Government for failing to devise
> a strategic approach to regulation and reacting to developments on a
> first-come-first-served basis.
>
> The report identified the main types of GM crops in Britain as oilseed
> rape, sugar beet, fodder beet, maize and potatoes. They are being
> developed to tolerate herbicides and resist pests and diseases.
>
> Modifications have also been made to starch content in potatoes and
> oil quality in oilseed rape. Male sterility and fertility restoration
> have also been introduced to oilseed rape for breeding purposes.
>
> NOTICE The Guardian is holding a debate entitled GM Foods: where does
> the truth lie? Chaired by editor Alan Rusbridger with a panel to
> include George Monbiot and Professor Steve Jones, it will be held at
> Westminster Central Hall, London on Thursday February 25 at 7pm. For
> tickets priced £5 phone 0990 334333.
>
>
>
>
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--
><> Luiz Roberto Salvatori Meira ><> Equilíbrio Alimentar
<>< http://www.aleph.com.br/~luizmeira/me.htm
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