World-News

Last week, Organic Bytes reported on the USDA's announcement that a variety of genetically engineered (GE) rice unapproved for human consumption has contaminated the U.S. food supply. Since then, Japan has banned imports of U.S. rice, while the EU is requiring that all rice imports from the U.S. be tested for contamination. With the U.S rice industry in turmoil, the USDA admits it has no idea how extensive the contamination is. Rice farmers say they don't feel the USDA is adequately monitoring the biotech industry. "This is real money that farmers are losing," said Arkansas Rice Growers Association Executive Director Greg Yielding, who said he has fielded dozens of calls from frantic rice farmers. "It is a big deal. We do not feel that USDA and APHIS have adequate funds or staff to do this job. They can't tell you where anything is even though they get permits for it." Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_1865.cfm



IDIOTS GUIDE TO THE GE DEBATE: As the biotech industry continues to develop new propaganda for convincing the world to stomach it's genetically engineered foods, the debate over the issue seems to be getting as complex as the DNA chains, themselves. You're not alone if you find yourself struggling to explain to your friends why you are leery about genetically engineered foods. Here's a quick and easy-to-understand "Q&A" on GE foods that'll take two minutes to read but will leave you with a lifetime of essential information about this critical issue: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_1860.cfm