Bill Gates' human experimentation with GM bananas in Africa condemned by scientists

[donnay]

Bill Gates' human experimentation with GM bananas in Africa condemned by scientists

Thursday, December 18, 2014
by: Ethan A. Huff

At least 124 food and outreach organizations, as well as 26 individual scientists, have signed onto a letter sent to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation protesting ongoing human trials of genetically modified (GM), beta-carotene-enriched bananas intended for Africa.

The GM bananas, which never underwent animal trials, are currently being administered to 12 students attending Iowa State University (ISU), presumably without full disclosure as to the many unknown risks involved.

According to the letter, the trials are taking place under the guidance of Dr. Wendy White, an associate professor of food science and human nutrition. Funding for the trials came from a grant issued by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"We, the undersigned, representing diverse constituencies from across Africa and the world, working towards food sovereignty, are strongly opposed to the human feeding trials taking place at the Iowa State University involving the so called genetically modified (GM) 'super banana,'" reads the letter.

Gates Foundation funded creation of GM "Matooke" bananas in Australia

Prior to landing in Iowa, the transgenic bananas were spawned at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia, also with funding from the Gates Foundation. The goal all along has been to eventually force these "frankenfruits" on Uganda and other countries in East Africa.

But there is still no evidence that the GM Matooke bananas are safe. Most independent research to date suggests that GMOs can induce allergies, trigger autoimmune disorders and even cause cancer, especially after many years of consumption.

"Numerous health problems increased after GMOs were introduced in 1996," explains the Institute for Responsible Technology.

"The percentage of Americans with three or more chronic illnesses jumped from 7% to 13% in just 9 years; food allergies skyrocketed, and disorders such as autism, reproductive disorders, digestive problems, and others are on the rise."

Continued...

[specsaregood]

Well I condemn "scientists" so afraid of science that they would rather condemn hundreds of thousands to death and/or blindness due to vitamin A deficiency. This is actually the GOOD type of gmo research, working to make food healthier rather than just making foods capable of handling more pesticides and herbicides.

[Zippyjuan]

Note that the banana gene they added came from another type of banana.

The scientist said the new type of banana includes a gene taken from another banana species, which naturally produces large amounts of beta carotene. When people eat beta carotene, their bodies convert it to vitamin A.

Residents of Uganda and nearby countries don't favor the type of sweet banana that naturally carries the extra beta carotene, White said. So researchers put the gene into a less-sweet type of banana that East Africans often use in cooking.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/sto...anas/13502003/

[CPUd]