SOMETIMES I think we never learn, that we are doomed to repeat our mis- takes throughout history, Here it is, 1996, and we still allow bureaucrats and giant corpo- rations to roll the dice with virtual- ly any technological horror they want. Basically the same people who introduced pesticides and herbi- cides into the environment, who unleashed CFCs on the ozone layer, and who brought us the wonders of drugs like Thalidomide, are now pushing biotechnology literally down our throats. With the usual stealth that char- acterizes decisions taken by bureaucrats in Ottawa when they are doing their multinational corpo- rate buddies a favor, faceless min- ions at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada have already approved the import into Canada of at least five genetically engineered foods. Was this ever an issue in an election? Did you or I get to give our input? Were we consulted? Of course not. Yet the federal agriculture bureaucracy is quietly going about making the world safe for biotech- nology, even if it can’t guarantee the opposite. As if that wasn't outrageous enough, those same agri-burcau- crats are doing their best to make sure that no labels will have to be put on any of this biotech junk food when it appears in Canadian super- markets and stores. That’s the part that really gets me. Ancredible as it seems, if Ottawa _ has its way, you and I won't be able to tell whether the tomatoes or potatoes we're buying are real or genetically altered. Except by the taste. Or possibly the shape. Consumers in the States, who have already been exposed to unla- belled genetically messed-about- with tomatoes with the brand name of Flavr Savr have, by all reports, not been too impressed. ’ The things are mushy, I’m told. But at least they're still round. The square tomato, which would be so easy to pack, is still waiting in the ’. Jab, along with such monsters as > the four-legged chickens that the fast-food industry would like to start growing, but which market research suggests the public j isn’t ready for. I] The best selection of Science, Technology & Nature Products .. at the lowest prices WORLDS Park Royal South 925-3563 However. don’t let me get dis- tracted by future nightmares. [ts how far biotechnology has gotten already, even in the face of resis- tance from a supposedly organized environmental movement, that should be everybody's concern this year. Thanks to Agriculture Canada, two new varieties of canola, a Colorado Potato Beetie-resistant potato, and two varieties of delayed-ripening tomatoes, like Flavr Savr, have already been approved for sale. The truth is, these are genetic experiments, the side-effects of which we won't know about for generations. by which time it will be too late — just fike pesticides. herbicides and CFCs. L hate it when government and industry unleash genetic experi- ments on the world without asking iers run al me if Lapprove. Many biotechnological products include life-forms that can repro- duce. Once released into the natural environment they can mutate, spread and transfer genetic materi- al. Anything that can mutate, spread and transfer genetic material is a threat to the natural balance, and difficult to control. Who knows? Maybe inipossible to con- troh The technologies involved have only been around for a couple of decades, particularly the recombi- nant DNA and cell fusion technolo- gies. Any bureaucracy or company that claims to “know” with absolute scientific accuracy what the impact of the products of these technolo- gies on the natural world will be is simply lying through its teeth. Except for the usual explanation that money talks, and biotechnolo- gy industry lobbyists are efficient. it seems beyond reason that any sane modern government would allow huge chemical multinationals to pull off the stunts they are get- ting away with. If you want to bring yourself up to speed on the issue of biotechnal- ogy ~~ and it is something that really ought to get your paranoia juices flowing — an excellent place to start is a booklet called The Citizen's Guide to Biotechnology, published by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. available from your library. DRAPERIES BY §, LAURSEN gm, | & SON | _ CcUusTOoM DRAPERIES, TRACKS AND BEDSPREADS Labour $9.50 per panel untined, $10.56 fined. "CUSTOM VALANCES & BLINDS At law, tow prices. a y FREE Estimates o °” call 987-2966 (Ask about. Seniors’ Discounts) Serving sie North Shore for 4 years REPORTING IN: NORTH SHORE HEALTH PLANNING ON Saturday. January 27/96 Jeremy Dalton, MLA, West Vancouver - Capita 9:30 am to 11:30 am West Vancouver Memorial Library (Peters Room) Guest Speaker: Diana Hutchinson RRSP Tip #6 : Chair, North Shore Regional Health Board Start a spousal RRSP to maximize ‘Nancy Farran Investment Advisor your after-tax income when you retire. Two equal RRSPs can lower Suite 91 1. Park Royal South ; West Vancouver ; V7T 1A2 your marginal income tax rates. r (604) 981-2300 § Sunday, January 21, 1996 — North Shore News ~ In it, one learns of the schemes of companies like Monsanto, which are constantly trying to gain ever more control over farmers and everyone else involved in the food production process. “Through the development and side of a series of interlocking products, such us herbicides and herbicide tolerant seeds,” the guide’s authors, Burkhard Mausberg and Maureen Press- Merkur, write, “biotechnology firms hope farmers will become increasingly dependent on their products in order to maintain com- petitive production... “Most herbicide-tolerant crops are designed to be used in combi- ok nation with specific herbicides. usually those manufactured by the same company Unit is manufactur ing and selling the seeds. “Monsanto, for example. is seeking approval for commercial production of canola which has been genetically engineered to be tolerant to its herbicide. ‘Round Up." You see a rather sinister plot beginning to unfold. The element that infuriates me comes when | learn that the agri-bureaucrats are whispering into the government's ear, even iis you read this. urging Ottawa to tet all that weird stuff into Canada without requiring any kind of warning or even labels, No need to regret holiday feasting when all you need to do is give us a call... the right fitness program can help you shed those pounds and keep them off... hundreds of our members have done just that with the help of our friendly professional staff! Catl today & try our... Our introductory Quick Trim Program is designed to trim, firm & reshape you ata cost you can afford! This program includes a fitness analysis to determine your exact needs.