>From NewsNet-21- August 30th, 1998 GMO Protestor acquitted: A woman who placed a sticker on a packet of food in a London supermarket to warn shoppers that it contained genetically modified soya was charged under S.38 of the Public Order Act 1996, which deals with contamination of goods. The woman's solicitor said the case set 'a very dangerous and dubious precedent', which could be used by companies like Unilever, the product's manufacturer, 'to effectively stifle legitimate public protest and freedom of speech'. Greenpeace said it would do everything it could to support the defendant, Shannon Coggins, adding that the case was 'about contamination -- not on the part of Ms Coggins, but Unilever's genetic contamination of our food'. Ms Coggins was acquitted. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm From: Richard Wolfson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Lies over BGH safety The Globe and Mail (Canada) News Cover-up alleged at Health Canada Were pushed to approve drug, scientists say ANNE McILROY Parliamentary Bureau 09/17/98 The federal Health Department has concealed evidence about the dangers of a genetically engineered hormone that boosts milk production in cows, environmentalists and scientists charged yesterday. The Health Canada scientists told an internal labour board they were being pushed to approve the bovine-growth-hormone despite their concerns that it wasn't safe. The six scientists said they had been ordered by their superiors not to speak publicly on the issue. The controversial hormone, manufactured by Monsanto, was approved in the United States in 1993, but is still prohibited in Europe and Canada. In another development yesterday, the Sierra Club of Canada released government documents it says suggest far more research is needed before Canadian farmers are allowed to inject their cows with the hormone. The documents show that the U.S. study that led to the approval of the hormone in that country actually found that 30 per cent of the rats given the drug reacted with increased levels of antibodies, and some had lesions and cysts in their thyroid glands, says Sierra Club executive director Elizabeth May. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated that there had been no negative effects in a study of the hormone in rats, Ms. May told reporters yesterday. "What it shows is that you need an awful lot more studies to be able to say that, on the basis of a feeding study for rats, there is no problems for humans. . . . Yet we are now on the brink of approving bovine-growth-hormone." The documents released yesterday were obtained under an Access to Information request by Barbara Robson, a researcher for Progressive Conservative Senator Mira Spivak. The Senate's agriculture committee is investigating the safety of the bovine-growth-hormone for humans and animals, and had asked Health Canada to provide the scientific evidence it is considering. But Ms. Robson said yesterday the department provided the committee with a version of the scientific record that blocked out the potentially troubling results. It was only her personal request that netted the information the politicians had been seeking, she said. "What I think is appalling is the Senate was denied this information," Ms. Robson said in an interview. It is not the first time the Health Protection Branch has been criticized for secrecy or for putting the interests of drug companies before those of Canadians. The branch played a key role in the tainted-blood tragedy of the 1980s. The bovine-growth-hormone is controversial, in part, because it is a genetically engineered drug, produced by inserting a bovine gene into the genetic code of a common strain of bacteria. In 1993, the U.S. FDA announced that the drug had been thoroughly evaluated and was safe, and that no special labels would be required on milk produced by cows that had been injected with it. The technology has been criticized by public-interest groups and some scientists who warn it could increase udder infections in cows and lead to the increased use of antibiotics, which could end up in the milk produced by these animals. The six Health Canada scientists have been told they will be disciplined if they speak to the media, said Blair Stannard, vice-president of their union. They are Shiv Chopra, Margaret Haydon, Chris Basudde, Rajinder Sharma, Gerard Lambert and Arrost Villim. "There is politician and financial pressure to approve the drug despite the concerns of the scientists involved," Mr. Stannard said. But Robert Joubert, Health Canada's director general of human resources, said yesterday the complaints have led the department to set up two expert panels -- one of doctors and one of veterinarians -- to examine the evidence. They are expected to report by the end of October, said Joel Weiner, a senior Health Protection Branch official. "It is hard for me to understand why anybody can say we concealed evidence if in fact: A) We have a review that is still ongoing, and B) We have turned to both the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association to ask them to use their expertise to assess whether or not we've looked at all the science." Yesterday, Ray Mowling, the vice-president of Monsanto Canada, said the company "stands behind our science," but didn't want to discuss the results of the study done on rats. He wouldn't speculate about when the drug might be approved. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Re: Supporting Dr. Shiv Chopra (for Canadians who wish to do so - optional) Several Health Canada scientists filed grievances that they were being pressured to approve BGH, drugs, and other products of questionable safety. The grievance meetings were held last week, and received extensive national news coverage in Canada. One of the articlse on this follows. Another article, which was reprinted from the Lancet, was sent out on our genetic engineering news service on Aug 8. One of the main scientists involved, Dr. Shiv Chopra, had also been forbidden from speaking in public at a meeting on the hazards of genetically engineered foods. (Dr. Chopra has been helping our Consumer Right to Know Campaign in Canada.) Earlier, Dr. Chopra had spoken on national television about the continuing pressure on the scientists in Health Canada to approve BGH. He (and other scientists) described how public safety is being sacrificed for the sake of industry profit. After that, he received a "gag order." Dr. Chopra is known to be outspoken in standing up for the public safety. He does not hesitate to "rock the boat" when human safety is at risk. He has also fought against racial discrimination in the civil service. Dozens of media reports over the past few years have reported on his efforts in supporting human rights and protecting public safety. Many cultural associations have given Dr. Chopra awards for his service. He has also received an award from the Governor General for his service to Canadians. In addition, he has received awards from the Ottawa Police, the provincial Minister of Health in Ontario, the Ottawa-Carleton District Health Council, and the World Health Organization for his continuing service to the Community. He has also been the longest serving President of the National Capital Alliance on Race Relations (NCARR). The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada will be presenting a one-time Professional Institute Human Rights Award on December 10th of this year. Dr. Chopra has been nominated for this award. This award is an excellent opportunity to bring to public attention Dr. Chopra's dedication to public interest and public safety, this issue, and the importance of supporting those who stand up for what they know to be right, against government pressure. If anyone would like to support the nomination of Dr. Chopra, they can send an email to Sally Diehl, Coordinator, PIPSC Human Rights Award, at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nominations and supporting materials should be sent to Ms. Diehl no later than Septermber 30, 1998. The more people that support Dr. Shiv Chopra, the more likely it is that he will get the award. Ideally, it would be helpful to include with any nomination a reference to his service or why you feel he should receive the award. Thank you Richard PS. No one should feel pressured to support Dr. Chopra. I just wanted to let Canadians know about the opportunity because Dr. Chopra has been very helpful to our campaign. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. 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