Consumers who want alternatives to genetically engineered (GE) food have sought products grown from traditional, non-GE seeds. Consumers take the availability of such seeds, and the ability of farmers to grow them, for granted.

The findings of a new report by the Union of Concerned Scientists shatter this assumption. Laboratory testing of traditional varieties of corn, soybean, and canola seeds revealed widespread contamination by DNA from commercial GE crops.

These findings suggest that current federal regulations are inadequate to protect our seed supply from the next generation of GE crops – those engineered to produce drugs and industrial chemicals. Contamination of the traditional seed supply by these crops could result in farmers unwittingly planting, harvesting, and selling a crop that looks like its traditional counterpart to the naked eye. This product could then be processed and end up on our tables as drug-laced corn flakes and other consumer items.

Sign this petition to protect our nation's seed supply! Urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to amend federal regulations to explicitly protect the seed supply from contamination by engineered pharmaceutical and industrial crops.

http://www.care2.com/go/z/12385

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Genetically modified corn threatens Mexico's native species, says NAFTA study

If left unchecked, modified genes spread by imported U.S. biotech corn threaten to displace or contaminate native varieties in Mexico, the birthplace of corn, a NAFTA watchdog panel said Thursday.

http://www.enn.com/news/2004-03-12/s_13975.asp