genetic food

Hi 

Dr. Mark Neupert is requesting information about this problem in several
countries. Can you help him.
Best regards
Joćo Paulo Dias

 >>
 >>Hello All,
 >>
 >>Along with the usual smattering of intro to anthro/arch courses, I teach a
 >>class called Technology, Society and Values.  This week in class, we've
 >>been going over biotechnology and the genetic engineering of food.  I was
 >>blown away by the fact that none of my 60 or so students knew what the
 >>"terminator gene" or sterile seed technology was.  In fact, they had no
 >>clue that most of the food in the supermarket contains genetically 
 >modified
 >>ingredients.  Fortunately, we've also gone over the corporate control of
 >>the media, and thus have some explanation for their ignorance (Boas meets
 >>Chomsky in my approach to technology assessment).   Here in America,
 >>coverage is meager.
 >>
 >>The changes in last couple of months of the political/economic landscape 
 >of
 >>GM foods has been astounding.  Six days ago, 49 U.S. representative wrote
 >>the head of the FDA demanding mandatory labeling.  ADM has requested
 >>American farmers to separate GM crops from traditional ones.  This is not 
 >a
 >>result of American activism, but pressure from foreign governments and
 >>activists.  I find it a very interesting case study on the global
 >>economy.   Societies other than the U.S. (the host) are influencing the
 >>evolution of biotechnology.
 >>
 >>I have the impression that non-U.S. societies (EU, Australia, New Zealand,
 >>Japan, and many of the developing nations) see the issue as more than
 >>public health, but also a problem of American corporate hegemony and the
 >>general arrogance of corporations within the global economy - an issue
 >>never raised by the American media.
 >>
 >>So, list-members of the world, could you tell me what is going on in your
 >>society?  What's the tone of the debate in Mexico, the Netherlands, Kenya,
 >>Iowa?    What else is going on that we Americans don't hear about?
 >>
 >>Cheers,
 >>
 >>
 >>
 >>Dr. Mark Neupert
 >>Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
 >>Oregon Institute of Technology
 >>Klamath Falls, OR. 97603
 >>(541)885-1394 (office)
 >>(541)885-1520 (fax)
 >>email:neupertm@oit.edu
Joćo Paulo Dias

Centro de Estudos Sociais
Colégio de S. Jerónimo
Apartado 3087
3001-401 Coimbra
Portugal
Tel. directo: 00-351-239-855585
Fax: 00-351-239-855589