Welcome to GMFAA's October 2024 newsletter!
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GM-Free Australia Alliance advocates for food and farming free from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Welcome to our October 2024 newsletter! Thank you for support and interest in keeping what you put into your body clean of GMOs. This month's newsletter is HUGE as we look at the documented evidence of the unintended changes that occur from Gene Editing techniques. We also take a deep dive into the proposed labelling law amendments in Australia. What will these changes mean for the information we'll have access to and transparency in the products we consume. Check out our latest product selection from our growing GM-Free True Food Guide. Ever increasing censorship of the latest research and information around GMOs means your assistance to help us stay strong and fight for the freedom to bring you this information to you, is paramount. Your support will ensure clean, green and Genetically Modified free food stays in our food system, for you, for us and all our future generations. Please consider giving to the Alliance. Even a $10.00 (minimum) Donation helps us to continue to educate and advocate for a GM Free future in Australia. THANK YOU to all those who have donated to us so far this year! New evidence shows unintended changes from gene editingA new study (Item 1) shows that the use of CRISPR/Cas ‘gene scissors’ causes unintended genetic changes that are different from random mutations. Major structural changes in chromosomes occur much more frequently in the genomic regions targeted by the ‘gene scissors’ than would otherwise be the case. These results also have implications for the risk assessment of plants obtained from new genetic engineering (NGTs). For further reading go to Resources | GM-Free Australia Alliance (gmfreeaustralia.org.au) What is CRISPR-Cas9? The other technology that goes with CRISPR is called Cas9. Specifically, CRISPR-Cas9 is the full name of the system, where CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is the genetic sequence used to guide the Cas9 protein to a specific location in the genome. Cas9 is an enzyme (a nuclease) that can cut DNA at a specific location, allowing for precise gene editing. There are also other Cas proteins, like Cas12 and Cas13, that are being studied for different applications. References (GMWatch, 10 July 2024) New evidence shows unintended changes from gene editing are different from random mutations. New evidence shows unintended changes from gene editing are different from random mutations (gmwatch.org). Chat GPT - 14/10/2024 - Definition of CRISPR-Cas9.
Image of genetically modified plants Photograph GMWatchSay NO to GMOs by sending us photos of the labels of your favourite GM-Free Foods to add to our list at [email protected] Labelling of GMOs in Australia and Internationally:Navigating Consumer Choices and Regulatory ChallengesLabelling can be used to emphasize the different characteristics of products and is of importance to a consumer who bases his or her purchase decision on those specific characteristics. Sometimes labelling requirements differ depending on the ingredients that contain GMO. There are also differences in what GM crops the rules encompass and do not encompass (Mercado, 2004). In addition, marketing regulations can affect the demand for GM versus non-GM crops; for example, GM food labels can act as perceived hazard warnings and reduce demand for these crops despite their approval from food safety authorities (Gruere, 2000). The labelling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Australia remains a contentious issue, balancing consumer rights with the complexities of food production and international trade. As consumers increasingly demand transparency in the food supply chain, the role of labelling becomes paramount, especially for products derived from genetic modification. The Importance of Labelling for Consumers Labelling is not just a regulatory requirement but a vital tool for consumers, empowering them to make informed choices based on their preferences and concerns. In Australia, mandatory labelling for GMOs took effect in December 2001, mandating that foods with altered characteristics, such as changes in nutritional values or the presence of novel DNA (now being referred to as NBT or New Breeding Techniques) and protein due to genetic modification, must be labeled accordingly. This includes specific GM foods listed under subsection S26-3(2) of Schedule 26 of the Food Standards Code. However, exemptions to these labelling rules, such as highly refined products like vegetable oils where no GM material is detectable, have sparked debates about the adequacy of current regulations. Up to 0.9% unintended contamination is permitted. Exemptions from this include:
For further reading go to Labelling of GMOs in Australia: Navigating Consumer Choices and Regulatory Challenges | GM-Free Australia Alliance (gmfreeaustralia.org.au) References
Our mission is to educate the public through spreading the word on the changing GMO situation in Australia and internationally. We also share the vast array of GM-Free products available to our readers, supporting GM-Free companies to continue to provide these labelled products. We are here to empower Australians to make healthy GM-Free food choices. We rely solely on the generous donations of people like you, who care about the health and sovereignty of the food that you and your family eat. Please help the GM-Free Australia Alliance keep GM-Free foods a priority in our food supply. We wish to contribute to improved health, especially with what we feed our children and babies, and promote the best GM-Free food and produce available. PLEASE DONATE TO THE GM-FREE TRUE FOOD GUIDE! It's been a journey over the past 18 years - educating and advocating for GM-Free farms, foods and futures. We've influenced public sentiment to demand labelling of GMOs, voice concerns and help grow awareness of GM-Free products all over Australia. LOOKING FOR MEDIA/COMMS EXPERIENCE? Contact us for an internship. To help keep our FOOD GM-FREE, CLEAN AND LABELLED, please visit our website to get involved. Follow our Facebook pages, GM-Free Australia Alliance and True Food Network for the latest news, info and campaigns. LOOK OUT FOR OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER for an update on our 2024/25 GMO Free Shopping List and more research into the effects of GMOs. Our team of volunteers, work tirelessly on educating people about the dangers of GMOs, including the next generation of GMOs 2.0, GENE EDITING, mRNAs, CRISPR etc. We are strongly advocating for more accurate GMO labelling, we encourage all companies to add the GM-Free logo to their products where appropriate. Thank you for your support. Please send any feedback on what you'd like to see in our newsletters to [email protected] TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS BY CREDIT CARD Click this link: TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS Make a Tax-Deductible bank transfer to: Bank Australia Please reference "GMFAA" and ask [email protected] for a receipt. Send a Tax-Deductible cheque or money order to: Friends of the Earth Please reference: GMFAA NON-TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS Make a Non-Tax Deductible Donation by direct transfer to our account: GM-Free Australia Alliance Inc. Bendigo Bank Reference: Your Name or Company Send a cheque or money order for a Non-Tax Deductible Donation to: GM-Free Australia Alliance Inc. Reference: Your Name or Company ****** We rely solely on the generosity of donations and volunteers to support our work. Every contribution you make counts and adds your voice to the power of our collective voice in Australia saying loud and clear:
NO to GMOs!If your local GM-Free group, Facebook group or other allied group is not already a GMFAA member? – Please JOIN US NOW! Add your voice to our National Alliance!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!Please share this & forward to like-minded family and friends.Working for a GM-Free Australia
GM-Free Australia Alliance advocates for food and farming free from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)! We oppose the genetic engineering, editing, modification & manipulation of living organisms. Yours in True Food Freedom,
GMFAA Committee of Management GM-Free Australia Alliance Inc. |
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