I have started a new blog following my quest to build a bamboo bike. Check it out at whambamboo.org

I suggested two years ago on this blog that if biotech corporations were held financially accountable for contamination of non-genetically engineered fields, that it would have a profound impact on the biotech industry. Well, I am glad to see hear that finally, after almost four years, Bayer Crop Science is being held financially accountable for contaminating US rice growers with unapproved GE rice (Liberty Link). This strain of GE rice has never been approved for human or animal consumption, and has been found all over the world. Greenpeace found that bags of rice sold at the Superstore on Kingsway in Vancouver were contaminated with Liberty Link.

Three farms were awarded $1.5million for the costs they incurred as a result of the contamination. They were not, unfortunately, required to pay punitive damages, but this is a precedent setting case. There are hundreds of farmers that have been affected by the contamination, and Japan and the European Union have banned imports of US grown rice.

There are also thousands of cases of contamination from other strains of GE crops. I stand by my prediction that if these cases make it to court, and the farmers are awarded damages, the biotechnology industry will think very differently about the cultivation of genetically engineered foods.

Its here. GE crops were not enough, the FDA has now opened the door for GE animals and fish. They have announced that they will begin accepting applications for commercialization of GE animals and fish. Please read the story at Food Democracy, especially the FAQ published by the FDA. It is incredibly disturbing.

This new regulatory process brings up a number of serious concerns.

• No labels will be required, so unless we buy organic or “non-GE”, we will end up eating GE meat. So basically, don’t eat at fast food anymore, or you will be eating some featherless chickens
• The major market for GE animals is for “biopharm” animals. Basically genetically engineered animal factories producing pharmaceuticals.
• Renderings from biopharm animals can be fed to other animals.
• Offspring of GE animals which are not considered to have inherited the GE trait, are not considered GE. This means that if a GE featherless chicken has a feathered offspring, it could be considered non-GE… and possibly organic? Hopefully organic regulations will keep up.
• I think the FDA’s approach to containment speaks for itself: “It also would be extremely unlikely for any GE animal to accidentally displace conventional animals. Most developers of the GE animals will likely control their breeding opportunities to further their business interests.” Free market environmental protection? Free market biodiversity protection? Free market bioethics?

The FDA is known to be controlled by the industry. They are acting in the interest of business profits at the expense of our environment, biodiversity, and human health and safety. Can you Americans ask Mr. Obama to overhaul the FDA, and the regulation of GE foods? I certainly hope the CFIA doesn’t follow suit, as the did with GE crops.