If actually Ghanaian foods are weaponised through GMO's by Americans then our Constitutional rights are been abrogated. If our government and the people have no say in what they eat, then we are been turned into guinea pigs b ... read full comment
If actually Ghanaian foods are weaponised through GMO's by Americans then our Constitutional rights are been abrogated. If our government and the people have no say in what they eat, then we are been turned into guinea pigs by the Americans through the Monsanto Corporation. Ghanaians must go the International Criminal Court. Period.
ELINAM 10 years ago
Is the Ghana armed forces really set up to defend the country Ghana and her people?, and if the answer is yes, then their definition of enemy and threat to national security is totally wrong in this 21st century.
... read full comment
Is the Ghana armed forces really set up to defend the country Ghana and her people?, and if the answer is yes, then their definition of enemy and threat to national security is totally wrong in this 21st century.
The enemy is here ready to wipe us out for our land while the military men are camped with no intelligence.
Black people are the direct threat to white genetic annihilation and therefore ever since the white man encountered the darker race on God's green land, his every move around the darker race is laced with military tactics. From how much wealth the African can handle and generate to enable us to live well, to family planning which is nothing but eugenicist's dream to curb world population of which the darker race outnumbered the white freaks 1:5.
Aids has failed to wipe us out, so is the homosexual agenda that Africans are not ready to buy into.
So as the Africa army stood guard, the trojan horse is riding thru as children (paid politicians) hailing it OPONGO,OPONGO!!
Where are the military and national intelligence personnel?
insight to the bone 10 years ago
TOO LATE TO BUY TIME OR PATIENCE with a reshuffle as the cat is already out of the bag and everybody knows ndc has no plan or agenda to develop the country . in the zeal of hatred fueled by ewe hegemony and northern tribalism ... read full comment
TOO LATE TO BUY TIME OR PATIENCE with a reshuffle as the cat is already out of the bag and everybody knows ndc has no plan or agenda to develop the country . in the zeal of hatred fueled by ewe hegemony and northern tribalism have only succeeded in cementing the road to failure and chaos . without the unity of the majority Akan it will be impossible to tap into the progressive potential and power of the nation . a house divided can never stand and the evil force , motive and destruction is within this ndc , they can never unite the country's peoples , can never be trusted by the diaspora , can never have the legitimacy to take bold courageous decisions to develop and at the same time ensure the wealth of the nation stays with the people of the nation . jj comes out accusing only Akans but i have never heard him accuse his own ewes of the atrocities m corruption and crimes they have so evidently committed such as woyome , murder of innocents and public floggings . he wages a propaganda and economic war with the help of his ndc against the Akans in order to establish his legacy of doom . yes they say we are motivated tribalism but dont see we have no choice but to defend ourselves . we only need to be a little observant to notice these truths and a little common sense to know nothing good can ever come out of this conspiracy of evil against the Akans . our chiefs like asantehene and some religious leaders for 30 pieces of silver again advocate that we assist this menace to further destroy our future just as was done during the slave trade . it is time for the quiet majority to stand firm and reject this criminal mafia that has so metastasized into all corners of govt that only war can set us free . long live the republic of Akan
Robert Wager 10 years ago
It never ceases to amaze me how far the anti-GMO myths will go to scare people. Weaponizing food, wow a new low. Here is the European National Academies of Science 2013 report on GMO crops and food: "There is no validated e ... read full comment
It never ceases to amaze me how far the anti-GMO myths will go to scare people. Weaponizing food, wow a new low. Here is the European National Academies of Science 2013 report on GMO crops and food: "There is no validated evidence that GM crops have greater adverse impact on health and the environment than any other technology used in plant breeding. There is compelling evidence that GM crops can contribute to sustainable development goals with benefits to farmers, consumers, the environment and the economy.
EASAC 2013"
syncopa 10 years ago
If we can't farm natural god-made crops, how will we benefit from GMO's? This bill is to give advantage to large corporations to buy up large parts of our country, enslave our population;
degrade our water with pesticides a ... read full comment
If we can't farm natural god-made crops, how will we benefit from GMO's? This bill is to give advantage to large corporations to buy up large parts of our country, enslave our population;
degrade our water with pesticides and reduce our child-bearing.
Asiwome 10 years ago
We are not disputing the fact that you are able to produce oranges the size of a football. Don't adulterate our food.
We are not disputing the fact that you are able to produce oranges the size of a football. Don't adulterate our food.
Akosua 10 years ago
GMOs might be wooonderful Robert Wager but the fact remains still that we do not need them in Ghana. We have food surpluses perishing on almost a yearly basis so we need to concentrate on solving such problems in order to pro ... read full comment
GMOs might be wooonderful Robert Wager but the fact remains still that we do not need them in Ghana. We have food surpluses perishing on almost a yearly basis so we need to concentrate on solving such problems in order to provide food security. No need for GMOs - chemically infused foods containing DNA completely foreign to the (existing) food item that they are supposed to create... The creators of this con can take their dangerous, money-making trickery elsewhere!
Akosua 10 years ago
Btw Robert, there is also a lot of evidence out there to suggest that there is a cover up regarding the potential hazardous impacts of GMO's and that the US FDA scientists warned of GMO's being dangerous but that their opini ... read full comment
Btw Robert, there is also a lot of evidence out there to suggest that there is a cover up regarding the potential hazardous impacts of GMO's and that the US FDA scientists warned of GMO's being dangerous but that their opinion was disregarded by those at the top who had previously worked for or had close ties with Monsanto. The US FDA does not test GMO's to the standard of other chemical infused products as it should do. So the 'good' things said about GMO's are mainly fabricated to sell the products of these chemical companies. Why should Ghana substitute natural and good food that grows in abundance for this poisonous concocted mess? We should give Monsanto our food for them to insert poisons and sell it back to us, abi?
Odasanibi 10 years ago
I really do not know how far these Breeders would go, i know for sure that these plants would eventually kill a lot of people. It would also have a great negative impact on our social and economic condition. Ghana should Reje ... read full comment
I really do not know how far these Breeders would go, i know for sure that these plants would eventually kill a lot of people. It would also have a great negative impact on our social and economic condition. Ghana should Reject this!
PKA 10 years ago
What I find puzzling is, if these Monsanto jokers claim that their products are safe, why do they refuse to label them? At least the general public must have the choice of either patronizing their products or rejecting them ... read full comment
What I find puzzling is, if these Monsanto jokers claim that their products are safe, why do they refuse to label them? At least the general public must have the choice of either patronizing their products or rejecting them in countries where they are sold. Refusing to label them clearly shows lack of confidence on the part of the breeders in the quality/safety of their own products. Rather, they have chosen to rake in millions of dollars by selling this slow poison to unsuspecting consumers. Ghanaians must resist all attempts by these shady breeders and their cronies to force these poisonous seeds down our throats! Let them prove to us beyond all reasonable doubts that their products are safe.
kofi 10 years ago
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ... read full comment
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR US IN GHANA, WE WILL JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE RESISTED GMO IN THEIR COUNTRY....OUR HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO US THAN CHEAP FOODS AND PROPAGANDA...AND OUR NATURAL FOODS ARE MEDICINAL AND WHOLESOME AS OPPOSED TO THE GMO'S WHICH ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND CAN LEAD TO ANY ADVERSE HEALTH CONDITIONS.
kofi 10 years ago
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ... read full comment
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR US IN GHANA, WE WILL JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE RESISTED GMO IN THEIR COUNTRY....OUR HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO US THAN CHEAP FOODS AND PROPAGANDA...AND OUR NATURAL FOODS ARE MEDICINAL AND WHOLESOME AS OPPOSED TO THE GMO'S WHICH ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND CAN LEAD TO ANY ADVERSE HEALTH CONDITIONS.
kofi 10 years ago
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ... read full comment
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR US IN GHANA, WE WILL JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE RESISTED GMO IN THEIR COUNTRY....OUR HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO US THAN CHEAP FOODS AND PROPAGANDA...AND OUR NATURAL FOODS ARE MEDICINAL AND WHOLESOME AS OPPOSED TO THE GMO'S WHICH ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND CAN LEAD TO ANY ADVERSE HEALTH CONDITIONS.
kofi 10 years ago
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ... read full comment
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR US IN GHANA, WE WILL JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE RESISTED GMO IN THEIR COUNTRY....OUR HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO US THAN CHEAP FOODS AND PROPAGANDA...AND OUR NATURAL FOODS ARE MEDICINAL AND WHOLESOME AS OPPOSED TO THE GMO'S WHICH ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND CAN LEAD TO ANY ADVERSE HEALTH CONDITIONS.
kofi 10 years ago
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ... read full comment
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR US IN GHANA, WE WILL JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE RESISTED GMO IN THEIR COUNTRY....OUR HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO US THAN CHEAP FOODS AND PROPAGANDA...AND OUR NATURAL FOODS ARE MEDICINAL AND WHOLESOME AS OPPOSED TO THE GMO'S WHICH ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND CAN LEAD TO ANY ADVERSE HEALTH CONDITIONS.
kofi 10 years ago
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ... read full comment
POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR US IN GHANA, WE WILL JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE RESISTED GMO IN THEIR COUNTRY....OUR HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO US THAN CHEAP FOODS AND PROPAGANDA...AND OUR NATURAL FOODS ARE MEDICINAL AND WHOLESOME AS OPPOSED TO THE GMO'S WHICH ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND CAN LEAD TO ANY ADVERSE HEALTH CONDITIONS.
Bortear 10 years ago
Clause 23 of the Plant Breeders' Bill states clearly that "A plant breeder right shall be independent of any measure taken by the Republic to regulate within Ghana...."
Where lies democracy if it should be so. Is democracy ... read full comment
Clause 23 of the Plant Breeders' Bill states clearly that "A plant breeder right shall be independent of any measure taken by the Republic to regulate within Ghana...."
Where lies democracy if it should be so. Is democracy not what the majority decides within a nation? Is the plant breeder bigger than the population of Ghana? If not, where then lies democracy in this situation? Where is the justice in such a clause to favour the minority in the person of plant breeder? Meanwhile the plant breeder support democracy, hence why keep such a clause?
Nature is a closed system which is regulated by natural laws. Some of the systems are the food chain and the water cycle. In the food chain the genes in each component of the chain is where harmonized with the others. Hence there is no reaction along the chain. Man can then eat anything within the chain it belongs to without a problem. However there is bound to be a problem when GMO enters the Chain.
GMO involves the manipulation of a gene leading to the production of something unnatural and foreign as far as the food chain is concerned. This in effect is the invasion of nature. Who says there is not going to be any rejection and consequences in the food chain. Human beings belong to the same gene pool but if an organ from someone is given to another rejection of the organ occurs. If this occurs at that level what then will occur at the delicate level of a gene? We do not know but there is a cue from organ transplant that it is not favourable.
We should therefore reject this GMO and look at the worse ahead of us.
In 10 years there won't be enough minerals and timber to export for our imports and development. China has seen far ahead this shortage and is now on the Moon searching for minerals. "Dwen Hwe Kan" Ghanaian leaders for operation-feed-yourself will solve our food problem.
princewilly@ymail.com 10 years ago
In a pod of whales, how can you tell which one is gay?
He's the one that tips the boat and sucks out the 'seamen!'
In a pod of whales, how can you tell which one is gay?
He's the one that tips the boat and sucks out the 'seamen!'
Ibrahim difoya 10 years ago
That professor Sando Alhassan will be beaten sevearly if he doesn't stop that advocacy. How can an African do this to his fellow men? Iwan4gh has a song about G.m.o foods. Go check it out.
That professor Sando Alhassan will be beaten sevearly if he doesn't stop that advocacy. How can an African do this to his fellow men? Iwan4gh has a song about G.m.o foods. Go check it out.
P'que 10 years ago
God bless our home land Ghana. We need to hit the street and make noise 'coz of this. We need to put our destiny(ies) into our own hands and not on the laps of some cabals calling themselves politrickcians
God bless our home land Ghana. We need to hit the street and make noise 'coz of this. We need to put our destiny(ies) into our own hands and not on the laps of some cabals calling themselves politrickcians
Akua 10 years ago
We need to protect ourselves, our children and future generations. We should sit up and defend our basic rights.
No Imposing G M crops on us.
We need to protect ourselves, our children and future generations. We should sit up and defend our basic rights.
No Imposing G M crops on us.
kwaku Brakye Toronto 10 years ago
I fervently hope our politicians are listening and will not succumb to bribery, pressure, control and machinations of Monsanto. GMO foods are banned in Canada where I live as well in Europe. If GMO Food is good why should Eur ... read full comment
I fervently hope our politicians are listening and will not succumb to bribery, pressure, control and machinations of Monsanto. GMO foods are banned in Canada where I live as well in Europe. If GMO Food is good why should Europe and Canada not welcome it. Our politicians should do the right and reject it and not allow Ghanaians to be used as guinea pigs and as well lined the pockets of corporate America.
Robert Wager 10 years ago
GE crops are NOT banned in Canada nor are they now banned in Europe as the European High Court of Justice struck down the ban for lack of evidence of harm to humans or the environment.
GE crops are NOT banned in Canada nor are they now banned in Europe as the European High Court of Justice struck down the ban for lack of evidence of harm to humans or the environment.
Aida 10 years ago
I was shocked when I first learnt they are planning to try out GMO in Ghana and despite numerous opposition it is being pushed ahead. Even over here in London, organic food is very expensive meaning even those campaigning for ... read full comment
I was shocked when I first learnt they are planning to try out GMO in Ghana and despite numerous opposition it is being pushed ahead. Even over here in London, organic food is very expensive meaning even those campaigning for GMOs in the western world does not want them. For God's sake when at all will Mahama and his ministers listen to simple logic. If Ghanaians are hungry, does that mean they should be fed with food which trusted researches show have future health consequences? Ghanaians must wake up from our deepest slumber since independence. This is slavery without physical chains, apartheid without physical gun but biological by. Ghana my motherland can feed her children with no poison mingled seed
kofi 10 years ago
we still recall how betty mould readily doled out 84 million euros to cp and 45 million dollars to woyome and 46 million to isofoton.....and EVEN THAT SMALL BOY OKUDZETO ABLAKWAS WAS FRONTING FOR AFRICA AUTO LTD TO SUE GHANA ... read full comment
we still recall how betty mould readily doled out 84 million euros to cp and 45 million dollars to woyome and 46 million to isofoton.....and EVEN THAT SMALL BOY OKUDZETO ABLAKWAS WAS FRONTING FOR AFRICA AUTO LTD TO SUE GHANA FOR 1.5 BN DOLLARS WHICH WAS LATER FOUND OUT TO BE A SCAM....these ndc sharks and vampires never get tired of thievery and corruption ....lets get up and fight them against endangering our health by accepting this GMO NONSENSE AND IF NPP ALSO COMES AND SUCCUMBS WE WILL NOT SPARE THEM...THESE GREEDY POLITICIANS .....LETS BEWARE OF THEIR GREED...
Kwesi Mensah 10 years ago
NDC is corrupt but so is NPP. There is absolutely no difference between the nature and extent of the corruption of governments formed by both parties in our recent history. We must stop this mistake of painting one of the par ... read full comment
NDC is corrupt but so is NPP. There is absolutely no difference between the nature and extent of the corruption of governments formed by both parties in our recent history. We must stop this mistake of painting one of the parties black and creating the impression that the other is ok. Both parties have engaged in judgement debt payments when in power.
Getting back to the subject of GMO's you should ask yourself why NPP has not expressed its opposition to the new bill! As a matter of fact, Akuffo-Addo expressed in his manifesto his support for GMO agriculture and his intent to engage in it during his presidential campaign. Monsanto and Co are passing around serious bribe money - both in the US and overseas. They call it "LOBBYING"! We know it as bribery, and there is nothing our current ruling and opposition politicians wouldn't do for a bribe.
A cheap cell phone from China is all they need to award a contract to a Chinese company!!!
Kofi Sarpong 10 years ago
So where did Nana Akyea Mensah complete his degree in Agriculture? Does he understand what it takes to have food security in a country where we can't produce enough to eat? What research did he do on GMOs? And I'm reading all ... read full comment
So where did Nana Akyea Mensah complete his degree in Agriculture? Does he understand what it takes to have food security in a country where we can't produce enough to eat? What research did he do on GMOs? And I'm reading all these nonsense and comments from people who no clue what they are talking about. And why does he have to characterize Prof. Alhassan. So, Nana Akyea Mensah understands GMO better than Prof. Alhassan, right? This is ridiculous!
AMU 10 years ago
You don't have to be a professor or phd holder to understand the grave dangers of GMOs. Info on GMO health hazards is available to all for free.Nana Akyea Mensah is RIGHT.
You don't have to be a professor or phd holder to understand the grave dangers of GMOs. Info on GMO health hazards is available to all for free.Nana Akyea Mensah is RIGHT.
Robert Wager 10 years ago
the only place you will find "information" on the dangers' of GE crops and food is the anti-GMO filled internet. Every single food safety authority, every single health authority and every single National Academy of Science ... read full comment
the only place you will find "information" on the dangers' of GE crops and food is the anti-GMO filled internet. Every single food safety authority, every single health authority and every single National Academy of Science that has looked at GMO's all agree on the safety of these crops.
Kofi Sarpong 10 years ago
Amu:
No wonder liars and thieves are parading our FM stations as pastors, if we go by your logic.You can't feed yourself but you know what not to eat. Good luck with that.
Amu:
No wonder liars and thieves are parading our FM stations as pastors, if we go by your logic.You can't feed yourself but you know what not to eat. Good luck with that.
Tithaborne 10 years ago
You lack common sense. You wanted just to attck the personality of Nana Akyea without gathering the gut to do a thorough research. You see how foolishly you have displayed your ignorance? It does not take a Phd holder to unde ... read full comment
You lack common sense. You wanted just to attck the personality of Nana Akyea without gathering the gut to do a thorough research. You see how foolishly you have displayed your ignorance? It does not take a Phd holder to understand common sense. Why do people preach without going to Bible school and yet have professors as their congregants?
Come again after rethinking. Don't start any war with your myopic way of thinking.
Best regards to your wife, hope you've reconciled now?
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
You think by insulting others without making any substantive point is how you make your point and win the day?
Why do we have so many ignorant fools parading this forum and insulting others who are making sound challenging ... read full comment
You think by insulting others without making any substantive point is how you make your point and win the day?
Why do we have so many ignorant fools parading this forum and insulting others who are making sound challenging arguments or trying to point out flaws in the propaganda that others try to spread? Why don't you grow up for once and stop this infantile nonsesne?
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
Frankly most of the comments here on this (and dare I say other subjects) is childish, uninformed and sometimes frankly laughable. It is like empty barrels being thrown down an "aluminium roof" and the noise is cacophonous, b ... read full comment
Frankly most of the comments here on this (and dare I say other subjects) is childish, uninformed and sometimes frankly laughable. It is like empty barrels being thrown down an "aluminium roof" and the noise is cacophonous, but there is no logic, rythm nor sense to it.
What i find curious is why they descend so heavily on anyone who challenges their views or disagrees with their argument. I am not an advocate for GM Foods but I believe we need to have a balanced argument on the subject and if the positives of GM Foods outweight the negatives, then we ned to think how we will utilise the technology to our advantage (not that merely of biotech companies). However to allow these 'ECO-Warriors' a free ride with their uninformed rubbish is tantamount to shirking one's responsibility as a scientist and a public health nutrition expert.
Asiwome 10 years ago
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Akosua 10 years ago
So food security in Ghana now depends on introducing GMO??! Kofi Sarpong, evidently, you do not know anything about Ghanaian agriculture!! We produce plenty of food naturally each year that perishes due to bad roads and a lac ... read full comment
So food security in Ghana now depends on introducing GMO??! Kofi Sarpong, evidently, you do not know anything about Ghanaian agriculture!! We produce plenty of food naturally each year that perishes due to bad roads and a lack of information available to the farmer regarding locations where they may be able to sell their produce. Food security in Ghana would depend on resolving such problems and NOT introducing GMO seeds with chemicals inserted to control and destroy us. Please learn a little about the country before commenting and if your name is really Kofi Sarpong instead of Mr. USAID representative, forget about the bribe and try being a little patriotic.
TROJAN HORSE 10 years ago
GM foods from all indications from available evidence is being tied to increased yields, more nutritious, herbicide/pesticide resistance, drought resistance, less acreage per yield, less use of fertilizer etc, etc. On the sur ... read full comment
GM foods from all indications from available evidence is being tied to increased yields, more nutritious, herbicide/pesticide resistance, drought resistance, less acreage per yield, less use of fertilizer etc, etc. On the surface, the proponents of the adoption of GM foods say that, these features makes GM foods better suited for the problems of perceived food insecurity and hunger, malnutrition and malnourishment especially and emphasis on especially, the underdeveloped or less developed world. And what they also say is that, the world's population is increasing especially and again emphasis on especially, the underdeveloped or less developed world, and so in order to address, this global population challenge especially in the less developed world and the perceived lack of food security and nutrition for the less developed world or countries, there's the need for GM foods to address these challenges. And that is the Trojan horse right there. There is no incontrovertible scientific evidence to completely support the adoption of GM foods with respect to it's health implications over the long term. The proponents would say that, well in the midst of these challenges, should we say that, we are going to sit down and do nothing? At least we have devised the technology and science is such that, it should be used to address challenges that have confronted man over the ages, and so although there's isn't enough evidence, we still need to go ahead, and address the sequential issues that come up, because of our knowledge of science and our ability to address them. That is their position and the question every right thinking Ghanaian should be asking is, should I be the reservoir of this supposed GM foods, so that, I can effectively be understudied and as the challenges come up in my body they again use science to solve it? If your answer is yes, then GM foods should be introduced, but if your answer is no, then call your parliamentarian and tell them to reject the bill that effectively makes you a guinea pig for Monsanto and these other biotech companies.
Aside of that, impress upon the gov't to adopt pragmatic, feasible and tried, tested best practices that have been replicated elsewhere to address the issue of supposed food insecurity in the advanced countries who have gone ahead to reject GM foods, which their own scientists in their own backyard developed.
There is the other problem of our agriculture produce with respect to seeds, fertilizer, etc, etc being tied up by interests who would have the wherewithal to determine your fate as and when they see fit by engineering the seeds whichever way they want it, holding on to it, use it as a bully pulpit, use it as a negotiating chip etc, etc. Three things that God in his wisdom gave to his children freely, was food, water and air, and Ghana should not at this moment seek to sell it's very existence and sovereignty because of the say so of Monsanto. Let them go elsewhere to try it and when it works, conclusively with evidence of no health effects over the long term about 3 to 4 generations, then we can adopt it. Our natural methods have been doing just fine, if only we would develop it further by investing in mechanized agriculture, irrigation dams, accessibility roads, etc, etc.
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
Much as I do not promote, endorse or advocate GM foods, as the be all and end all to our food security problems, I find your article weak, pathetic and rather misleading!!!
Why the focus on one subject i.e. introducing "pi ... read full comment
Much as I do not promote, endorse or advocate GM foods, as the be all and end all to our food security problems, I find your article weak, pathetic and rather misleading!!!
Why the focus on one subject i.e. introducing "pig's genes" into animals? Who told you that this particular notion is in fact what happens with biotechnology involving foods?
We need more informed debates on the subject and the article you refer to on ghanaweb of 28th December 2013 had many people who lacked the basic knowledge and understanding of the subject making comments which like your article, were mostly uninformed.
This is worrying because I agree with you, there is a need to debate the subject of GM and biotechnology as an option for our food and nutrition security. Surely there are better and more rewarding examples you could have chosen to provide a more balanced argument on the subject.
For many like you who oppose GM in relation to food (and you notice I keep using GM and not GMO)your approach is not based on an interest in allowing for a discussion of the pros, cons, merits/demerits of the approach, but one based on your own biases and prejudices against that area of scientific and technological application.
Whilst we are on the subject of "pig DNA" (which by the way is not a GMO), are you aware that PORCINE INSULIN for many decades remained the major form of insulin used across the world and has saved the lives of many a diabetic dependent on daily insulin injections? Why have you and others not been talking about any untoward health effects opf porcine insulin on humans, and why have you failed even to mention it as one of the major breakthroughs in medical science and medical biotechnology in the 20th Century?
Porcine insulin technology has taught us a lot which has helped in the development of human insulin which is now on the market.
All I ask readers gto do is to have a balanced view and not just accept anything from anybody - whether from the supporters of GM foods or those (like you here) who oppose it.
I am yet to see a proper debate on this subject which focuses on the real scientific and practical issues rather than an emotive, half-baked (at best) and mostly uninformed and weak theses on the subject of GMOs in general and GM in relation to food technology.
It is a pity and a shame that Ghana which used to boast intellectuals with a rich tradition of debate based on issues is descending into this mediocre calibre of so-called pundits and debaters who, thanks to the internet and social media, can just string a few words together and post it without proper peer and editorial review and think they are authorities on the subject.
We need a proper debate on GM Foods and let's have it, in the interests of our people.
Pelicles 10 years ago
Paul, let me ask you this question. Why is cancer so common in the US? I do not know where you live but if, you live in the US, have you ever ponder why cancer kills more in the US? An advance nation like the US should not ... read full comment
Paul, let me ask you this question. Why is cancer so common in the US? I do not know where you live but if, you live in the US, have you ever ponder why cancer kills more in the US? An advance nation like the US should not reel under cancer just like that and that nation has been using GMO foods since when. Look at bananas, mangoes, apples, papayas, tomatoes etc in the US and will notice that something is not right. I am not a scientist or have no knowledge about medicine but at least, there is commonsense here.
We can debate but in the end, we may fall for this GMO shit and who knows what awaits us in the near future? When AIDS pop up, we were made to believe that it originated from our monkeys in our forest which proves to be false. In the end, we all became aware that HIV-AIDS was man-made which was manufactured to eliminate some people but it over stepped it borders. I think you were aware that some leaders in Africa took huge sums of monies and allowed their people to be used as "guinea pigs". Mobutu Seseseko of Zaire was no exception.
We should treat this subject with all the "very caution" it need because human lives are at stake. Who will love to bite his/her tongues and use it as a meat?
Robert Wager 10 years ago
Almost thirty years of research around the world have found zero unique risks from GM crops and zero evidence of any cancer risk. If this is not enough evidence for you then how many years of research would you like?
Almost thirty years of research around the world have found zero unique risks from GM crops and zero evidence of any cancer risk. If this is not enough evidence for you then how many years of research would you like?
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
Robert, it is amazing how certain people simply refuse to reason and allow for sound evidence-based debate.
When they resort to insults and name-ccalling as we see here, all it goes to show is that they are not fit for any ... read full comment
Robert, it is amazing how certain people simply refuse to reason and allow for sound evidence-based debate.
When they resort to insults and name-ccalling as we see here, all it goes to show is that they are not fit for any sensible intellctual discourse.
These guys will insult anybody on any subject, and that appears to be their bread and butter. Sometimes I wonder if they should not simply be left alone like DEMAS, to face their fate - perish because of their penchant of ignorance rather than examining the facts and the evidence.
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
In the USA (where I do not live by the way) there has been a rise in a rise in chronic diseases including cancers of all sorts. This trend is seen across the world including in China and indeed Africa. There has over the last ... read full comment
In the USA (where I do not live by the way) there has been a rise in a rise in chronic diseases including cancers of all sorts. This trend is seen across the world including in China and indeed Africa. There has over the last 100 years been a huge shift in lifestyles, eating habits and in particular our energy consumption whilst there is a decrease in the level of physical activity for instance.
The reasons for these increasing trends are numerous, but they have been linked to the demographic and so-called epidemiological transition and these days, molecular biologists and geneticists have been busy trying to examine molecular bases for cancers and others. I can refer you to a book written by one of my colleagues, Dr Lauren Pecorino, an expert on Cancer Biology and author of scientific textbokoks on the subject as well as a fine book she has published in 2012 for the lay public: Why are we surviving more from cancer?. You can google this or I will send you the full reference if you want. In fact I have a copy of the book and as I said Dr Pecorino, an American Scientist, is one of my current colleagues.
In relation to the diet, lifestyle and chronic diseas dynamic, perhaps you can google Amuna & Zotor, (2008): The epidemiological and nutritional transition. In this peer reviewed paper, we seek to demonstrate links between poverty, our demographic transition and the rise of chronic non-communicable diseases. It was published inthe Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 2008.
By the way for your information, we have a big continental conference coming up in July 2014 at GIMPA in Accra, Ghana and one of the Topics to feature but as a pre-conference public engagement event and in the main conference is titled: Food Biotechnology and the GM Debate: What's in it for Africa?
At this Public Engagement Event (likely to be on Saturdy 19th July 2014 at GIMPA), we will assemble known authorities from both sides of the GM debate to provide a platform for objective and evidence-based presentations and analysis of the issue fo GM and Food in the African context.
The long and short of it is that much as I really don't care how ignorant people characterise me on this ghanaweb forum, I happen not to just talk on subjects on forums such as this, but am interested in doing something more tangible about it, hence my interest in helping to assemble experts to debate these subjects and bring in policy makers and others in Ghana to be part of the debate and help provide some insights and a way forward in terms of our own national decisions on these issues.
Is that not a better use of my time, talent and experitse than to waste it in futile back-and-forth arguments with people who do not know the subject but accuse me of not knowing even what DNA is? I hope this gives you Pellicles some idea who you are dealing with.
i would also urge that people don't mix the silly political banter that has characterised some of the discussions and postings to each other's comments with what is after all a serious, real and technical issue on which not many people really have a real understanding.
There are those who in this very forum now are insulting me for having an opinion on many subjects and commenting on them!!! What a pity? It is no fault of mine that I happen to have expertise in an umber of areas as well as a keen interest in learning and knowing, hence my interest in contributing to debates on subjects (including politics and development, subjetcs of particular interest to me). However I find it curious that some people will choose to attack me for daring to express myself on a range of topics when in fact all I am doing is simply exercising my democratic rights to freedom of expression. If people don't like what I write or say, that's entirely their 'freedom' but we should all leave it as that as we do not need to agree with each other all the time.
Nana Akyea Mensah, The Odikro. 10 years ago
OFFICE OF THE ODIKRO
a companion of the black star!
Hi Paul,
You have failed to point out how the article is "weak, pathetic and rather misleading!!!" Even though you pretend to be only asking for a proper debate, you ... read full comment
OFFICE OF THE ODIKRO
a companion of the black star!
Hi Paul,
You have failed to point out how the article is "weak, pathetic and rather misleading!!!" Even though you pretend to be only asking for a proper debate, you have been such a busy-body stupidly trying to discredit any resistance to the IMPOSITION of GMOs on Ghanaians! The article is about the IMPOSITION of GMOs on Ghanaians.
You ask, "Why the focus on one subject i.e. introducing "pig's genes" into animals?" It is because it exposes the hypocrisy of one of the principal advocates of GM foods in Africa! You need a better comprehension abilities, if you want to debate. Nowhere in the article has any reference been made of the introduction of "introducing "pig's genes" into animals"!
Here is the relevant quote:
"The other day, Professor Walter Sando Alhassan, an advocate of GM foods in Africa, was on the radio answering Blakk Rasta's question that as a Muslim, if the genes of a pig is inserted into rice for whatever reasons, he would not eat that rice."
Does "rice" look like an animal to you? I saw your busy-body demands for a proper debate in the article referenced, even though you seem to be very comfortable with the attempts to IMPOSE GM foods without any form of public AWARENESS and PARTICIPATION!
Our own Parliament was just about to pass a very outrageous law to permanently lock us in into a system of complete domination of our agriculture by foreign multinational corporations without the slightest hint even to the public!
It is thanks to the vigilance of Food Sovereignty Ghana that the law, which was intended to be passed before the end of 2013 has now been postponed to 28 January, 2014 for consideration! Did you see how the Biosafety Act was passed? How many Ghanaians participated in the debate you are now calling for?
It must be instructive that the Bill was introduced to Parliament on the day most Ghanaians were pre-occupied with a football match between Ghana and Egypt! So let us talk first about the IMPOSITION before even talking about the need for a DEBATE!
There is no point debating whilst others are IMPOSING it!
Indeed, apart from confusing "rice" with animals", you also confuse medical applications of biotechnology with its application in agriculture. YOU, and not the Odikro, are rather pathetic! I recommend you read Odikro's article in which the distinction is clearly spelt out before you come and make a further fool of yourself. Check out: Why Kofi Annan's "Green Wash" In Africa Does Not Wash! | Feature Article 2010-10-17 /www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/artikel.php?ID=195305
This is a matter of life and death, and you shall not be permitted to get away with irresponsible statements. I am on stand-by on behalf of the Odikro to deal thoroughly with you to such an extent that you would be considered useless even by those who have employed you to churn out such trash!
Forward Ever! Backwards Never!
Sincerely,
Pur'gu Saarpe! Esq.,
Secretary to the The Odikro.
/twitter.com/TheOdikro
MLK 10 years ago
Is Paul Amuna equally forcefully pushing for countries in the developed world to adopt GM foods after they have rejected it? If not, why not? Is he saying that, his arguments that he's making does not apply to them as well? I ... read full comment
Is Paul Amuna equally forcefully pushing for countries in the developed world to adopt GM foods after they have rejected it? If not, why not? Is he saying that, his arguments that he's making does not apply to them as well? If they have rejected it out there, what makes him think that, we should swallow it whole, line and sinker? What makes him think that they should reject it but we shouldn't? Ofie nipa, would sell his own for a song. I entreat Parliament to reject the GM foods bill completely because, that is not the panacea to our supposed food security(in) problems. Neither is it the panacea to our nutritional requirements.
Kwesi Mensah 10 years ago
From the persistent drivel he engages in on Ghanaweb, it's clear Paul Amuna - like the secondary school class clown - thinks it's cute to be a lunatic nuisance when serious matters are being discussed.
The best response is ... read full comment
From the persistent drivel he engages in on Ghanaweb, it's clear Paul Amuna - like the secondary school class clown - thinks it's cute to be a lunatic nuisance when serious matters are being discussed.
The best response is to ignore him. Our Ghanaian languages have a description for such a person: "kwasiampanyin" (grown-up fool in Akan) and also the lunatic tendency: "abodam kan" (self-conscious madness - where one is conscious of engaging in lunatic behaviour but still persists).
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
It seems you know so much but those who know and who are wise and brought up well do not resort to cheap insults without attempting to discuss the substance of issues.
It seems you know so much but those who know and who are wise and brought up well do not resort to cheap insults without attempting to discuss the substance of issues.
Whatever 10 years ago
For someone who cannot tell the value of a DNA and Gene to be requesting for a GM debate, you surely have guts. You who doesn't even know DNA has an embbed life-code that is informational, you should be keeping quiet and lear ... read full comment
For someone who cannot tell the value of a DNA and Gene to be requesting for a GM debate, you surely have guts. You who doesn't even know DNA has an embbed life-code that is informational, you should be keeping quiet and learning rather than seeking to throw a challenge with your illogical pontification and outright shallow pedestrian views. Do every Ghanaian take porcine insulin everyday like the way they eat food everyday? We are discussing something whose consequences do not only border on grade but also on frequency of use
Nana Akyea Mensah, The Odikro. 10 years ago
OFFICE OF THE ODIKRO
a companion of the black star!
Hi whatever!
I write, on behalf of Nana Odikro to congratulate you for astute manner you dealt with this troll yesterday! These trolls come in all forms and shapes! J ... read full comment
OFFICE OF THE ODIKRO
a companion of the black star!
Hi whatever!
I write, on behalf of Nana Odikro to congratulate you for astute manner you dealt with this troll yesterday! These trolls come in all forms and shapes! Just as it is very rare to see a typical Ga man or woman who wakes up and says to himself or herself, "today, I want to eat genetically modified kenkey and fish", you need to suspect any Ghanaian campaigning for the introduction of GMOs into our food chain.
You see, when water flows from the top of the mountain into the valley, no one asks questions. But, when you see water flowing from the valley to the top of the mountain, it is always legitimate to ask the question, "Where is the pump?"
Here is a guy who is confusing ordinary rice with animals and having the guts to call for a debate! Maybe he wants us to debate whether rice is an animal or a crop! The point about porcine insulin is most annoying! I share your disdain of an ignorant person arrogantly beating about in the bush and asking for a debate whilst others are busy IMPOSING this GMO nonsense on everybody!
We have no problem with the medical applications of biotechnology. Indeed, as it is in the case of insulin, it has been an important breakthrough in medical science. As far back as Sunday, 17 October 2010, The Odikro wrote a feature Feature Article, "Why Kofi Annan's "Green Wash" In Africa Does Not Wash!", in which he quoted Dr Michael Antoniou, Kings College London (www.kcl.ac.uk). a molecular geneticist, answering BBC's Mike Williams on One Planet:
"Dr. Antoniou, what is it do you do here?" The question was asked whilst
inside a laboratory of King's College, where Dr. Antoniou works.
"What we do in my research group", Dr. Antoniou responds, "is to investigate fundamental mechanisms of how human gene systems are controlled, and then we exploit those discoveries to design safe and efficacious gene units to be used within a therapeutic context, within a human gene therapy context, for
treating for example, inherited diseases such as immune deficiencies,
thalassemia, sickle disease, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and so
on."
The same expert was asked about GM application in agriculture, here is his answer:
"The people who create GM crops use very similar techniques to yours,
different applications though, are you comfortable with that?"
"I am not comfortable at all with the way that GM is being used in
agriculture". Dr. Antoniou answer categorically, "because compared to what we do in a clinical context, where not only research is done under contained genes, they are non-replicated. They can't reproduce and spread and cause harm. In agriculture the same technique is used in open fields, the organism can spread in an uncontrolled way and we suffer with the consequences of that forever."
He claims he only wants a proper debate but does not hesitate to raise misleading and irrelevant issues on behalf of the GMO industry in agriculture!
Sincerely,
Pur'gu Saarpe! Esq.,
Secretary to Nana akyea Mensah, The Odikro.
/twitter.com/TheOdikro
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
Funny little world indeed. Thanks for confirming my ignorance. You only expose your ignorance further but it is not worth engaging you in any discussion since it is simply futile.
Funny little world indeed. Thanks for confirming my ignorance. You only expose your ignorance further but it is not worth engaging you in any discussion since it is simply futile.
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
Now I think you are going too far with this nonsense of yours. Think whatever you will of me, I may be "ignorant" or lack "knowledge of what DNA or GENE is" fine. Let's leave it at that shall we?
Now I think you are going too far with this nonsense of yours. Think whatever you will of me, I may be "ignorant" or lack "knowledge of what DNA or GENE is" fine. Let's leave it at that shall we?
Pelicles 10 years ago
The world is being overpopulated. This is an undeniable fact and the "Powers that Be" have come out with a way to depopulate it. What is the sense of eating foods whose gna has been modified? Such modification, will in the ... read full comment
The world is being overpopulated. This is an undeniable fact and the "Powers that Be" have come out with a way to depopulate it. What is the sense of eating foods whose gna has been modified? Such modification, will in the long run, affect humans thereby causing mass sterilization. That is the basic plan of Monsanto backed by "the Illuminati" whose quest is to reduce world population by any means possible.
Why are the Europeans not enthused by GMO foods? Their scientist have do not know the long term effect of such foods and have refused to let the various government go for it. The US on the other hand, have given the green light knowing too well that if thousands die today, three thousands people will flocked to their embassies around the world to get visas as replacement. Why is cancer so common in the US which is one of the most "advanced nations" on the face of the earth? GMO is the reason and they do not give a hoot about that because as long as "the powers that be" are raking in billions, that is okay.
Why should we be that stupid and fall for such a glaring "trap" set up by some "elements with sinister move" to cause massive unforeseen predicament against us?
Aids did not do their dirty work and they know that if they target our food, that will be easy because as humans, we will definitely eat to survive.
Robert Wager 10 years ago
Sorry another myth. GE crops and food are say safe or safer than food from other breeding methods, so says every food safety authority in the world, every health authority in the world and every National Academy of Science t ... read full comment
Sorry another myth. GE crops and food are say safe or safer than food from other breeding methods, so says every food safety authority in the world, every health authority in the world and every National Academy of Science that have looked at this issue.
Says Who 10 years ago
Why is it that every industrialized nation on this planet has rejected it?
Why is it that most developing nations who have accepted it, now have mass protests against it.
Why is it that every industrialized nation on this planet has rejected it?
Why is it that most developing nations who have accepted it, now have mass protests against it.
Robert Wager 10 years ago
There are only about 25 countries with bans now. Europe's ban was struck down by its highest court for lack of evidence of harm. Over 70 countries have active GMO R&D programs. Ge crop technology is and will be part of glo ... read full comment
There are only about 25 countries with bans now. Europe's ban was struck down by its highest court for lack of evidence of harm. Over 70 countries have active GMO R&D programs. Ge crop technology is and will be part of global agriculture. You are correct that a massive multinational fear campaign against GE crops has had some effect but those fear stories once examined and dismissed as myths are of little consequence to world food safety world health and world scientific authorities. if you goolge me and go to my website you can read the global scientific opinions on GMO's
cheers
Whatever 10 years ago
If you ask any scientist about the value of a Gene or a DNA, he would waste no time in telling you that it's about the ' informational value it brings - the embedded life-code in it. Now in this era, where America is invading ... read full comment
If you ask any scientist about the value of a Gene or a DNA, he would waste no time in telling you that it's about the ' informational value it brings - the embedded life-code in it. Now in this era, where America is invading countries, people's privacies and everything under the sun so that it can have firsthand information and God-control of our lives, why would you want to grant them entry into the gene pool of Ghana where the life-code of all 25 Million Ghanaians will be open for external override, manipulation, dilution and corruption? So those in leadership position Ghana, when they think, do their thinking really go far? Or they are under the influence of severe monetary inducement to sell all us back into slavery? For them to even tolerate GMO suggestion from the Americans is a set back for African emancipation.
Drums. 10 years ago
There's no food insecurity and no under nutrition or malnutrition anywhere. The developed country's population is dwindling, the less developed countries population is increasing. It's a simple equation of elimination by roug ... read full comment
There's no food insecurity and no under nutrition or malnutrition anywhere. The developed country's population is dwindling, the less developed countries population is increasing. It's a simple equation of elimination by rough tactics under the guise of helping you with food security, when there's none. Kick Monsanto and their GM foods with no incontrovertible evidence of it being safe over generations out of parliament and Ghana, nation wreckers.
Robert Wager 10 years ago
I am curious how Ghanians feel about Ghanian research on GMO's. it is designed to benefit Ghanian people with Ghanian agricultural problems.
I am curious how Ghanians feel about Ghanian research on GMO's. it is designed to benefit Ghanian people with Ghanian agricultural problems.
Robert Wager 10 years ago
Global science opinion is clear:
Moreover, the AAAS Board said, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the British Royal Society, and “every other respecte ... read full comment
Global science opinion is clear:
Moreover, the AAAS Board said, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the British Royal Society, and “every other respected organization that has examined the evidence has come to the same conclusion: consuming foods containing ingredients derived from GM crops is no riskier than consuming the same foods containing ingredients from crop plants modified by conventional plant improvement techniques.”
The European Commission (EU) recently concluded, based on more than 130 studies covering 25 years of research involving at least 500 independent research groups, that genetic modification technologies “are not per se more risky than…conventional plant breeding technologies.” Occasional claims that feeding GM foods to animals can cause health problems have not stood up to rigorous scientific scrutiny, AAAS said.
Says Who 10 years ago
Let me help you here and listen carefully.
In spite of all these so called conclusions by all these organisations or boards, every advanced nation on this planet has decided against the introduction of GM foods.
Is that d ... read full comment
Let me help you here and listen carefully.
In spite of all these so called conclusions by all these organisations or boards, every advanced nation on this planet has decided against the introduction of GM foods.
Is that definitive enough for you?
Robert Wager 10 years ago
I am not sure where you get your information from but it is incorrect. Only 25 odd countries now have bans. The rest either grow GE crops, or have active R&D programs in GE crop technology. May I suggest you look up the IS ... read full comment
I am not sure where you get your information from but it is incorrect. Only 25 odd countries now have bans. The rest either grow GE crops, or have active R&D programs in GE crop technology. May I suggest you look up the ISAAA.org for some real information.
Kofi Nkrabea 10 years ago
If genetically modified seeds are so wonderful, why did the Monsantos of this world spend some $20 million
only a few weeks ago to defeat a proposition in the State of Washington requiring foods containing any genetically e ... read full comment
If genetically modified seeds are so wonderful, why did the Monsantos of this world spend some $20 million
only a few weeks ago to defeat a proposition in the State of Washington requiring foods containing any genetically engineered components to be labeled? Who in their right mind will not be proud to advertise the excellent qualities of their products?
Now to weed resistant GM seeds being promoted by GMO supporters. Molecular biology 101 tells us that the gene that confers the resistance to the seed has to be expressed to enable it to be effective. The product of that gene expression is a polypeptide or a protein.
(i) Mr. Wagner the GMO supporter should tell us who carried out the research on the effects of the polypetide or protein so expressed on human health?
In what journal were the results published?
(ii) The illiterate and "semi-literate" farmers who have no knowledge of chemistry and the use of chemicals are being fooled by
the less weeding that results from the use of the dangerous chemicals that will finally kill them!!!. Some of these`chemicals are
carcinogenic and we should watch out for increased cancer rates among farmers if those championing the use of weed resistant GM crops get their way!!!!!
1. Some of us are not against genetically engineered crops per se. What we are against is the herbicide resistant genetically modified seeds that force our poor farmers to buy and be dependent on herbicides and new seeds each planting season produced and controlled by multi-national agro-businesses and in the process destroy our own local seeds handed over to us by our forebears.
2. Debt slavery or peonage is what the supporters of GMOs are trying to visit on our poor farmers, not to mention health problems that would result from the improper use of the herbicides by our local farmers, who have no training in the use of chemicals.
3. In addition to the toxic herbicides, the safety of genetically modified corn, soybeans etc with herbicide resistant genes is a serious problem hence the Monsantos of this world spending huge sums of money in political campaigns to prevent labeling of GMO foods in the USA.
4. Finally, post harvest losses resulting from improper storage and the lack of processing of food and agricultural produce to increase shell-life are our problems not the snake oil genetically modified herbicide resistant crops being pushed down our throats. The agro-businesses are only interested in making huge profits at our expense by controlling and selling their seeds and herbicides to us as a captive market.
Robert Wager 10 years ago
You appear to be unaware of exactly how glyphosate resistance is created. The gene that is engineered has a few amino acid changes from the wild type enzyme found in plants. the resulting engineered enzyme (a large polypept ... read full comment
You appear to be unaware of exactly how glyphosate resistance is created. The gene that is engineered has a few amino acid changes from the wild type enzyme found in plants. the resulting engineered enzyme (a large polypeptide or protein by most biochemists opinion) is not affected by glyphosate. The engineered enzyme in the GE plant can product aromatic amino acids in the presence of glyphosate. As for the enzyme itself it is digested like every other protein we consume. There are decades of study supporting my statements. Look it up and I suggest you don't use anti-GE websites if you want to learn the real science.
Kofi Sarpong 10 years ago
Robert:
Thanks for your thread. Most of the people in this forum are not enlightened. You see, the illiterate of the 21st century are no longer those who can't read nor write.
Robert:
Thanks for your thread. Most of the people in this forum are not enlightened. You see, the illiterate of the 21st century are no longer those who can't read nor write.
Says Who 10 years ago
So in your opinion, all the advanced nations in the world and their scientists took a look at your simple explanation and then decided that they still did not want to have anything to do with GM foods. Does it make sense to y ... read full comment
So in your opinion, all the advanced nations in the world and their scientists took a look at your simple explanation and then decided that they still did not want to have anything to do with GM foods. Does it make sense to you.
None of the stuff you have put up is an exact science. The main issues with GM science is that we do not know the full range of tolerances and effects of genetic modification in animals and plants. What we know is the rapid or accelerated growth, which in a normal subject can lead to cancer, infertility and so on.
Kofi Nkrabea 10 years ago
You are either confused or tried to evade answering my questions. It is known fact that the engineered protein "renders" glyphosphate "harmless" to the crop but "destroys" the weed without the gene. So what you wrote is nothi ... read full comment
You are either confused or tried to evade answering my questions. It is known fact that the engineered protein "renders" glyphosphate "harmless" to the crop but "destroys" the weed without the gene. So what you wrote is nothing new. Now answer my question: Cite the studies in international refereed journals that support your claims that the engineered protein has no adverse effects on mammals. And you also failed to address the other issues raised in my response.
Says Who 10 years ago
Despite the existence of some "sponsored research" and influencing of some institutions, I repeat and you can check yourself - No industrialized nation on this planet has accepted the introduction of GM food. No report on thi ... read full comment
Despite the existence of some "sponsored research" and influencing of some institutions, I repeat and you can check yourself - No industrialized nation on this planet has accepted the introduction of GM food. No report on this planet has been conclusive in determining that GM food is safe.
Now if a few influential individuals succumb to some subtle motivation and the bill is passed allowing the introduction of these products, would that mean that the people of Ghana has accepted it. No! It means that, once again, something potentially dangerous has been forced down their throat.
It took a court case, you say, to force its introduction in Europe. If it was so brilliant, why would it take such a measure to force it.
I don't have time to check this ISAAA website, seeing that to you, it is the only authentic portal of information in this whole wide world on GM foods.
The whole GM stuff stinks. The whole world is saying it stinks and you stand out as a lone voice, the messiah and trying to tell everyone that you are Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
zomabi 10 years ago
ODIKRO THANK U FOR POPPING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG. I URGE THE GOVT OF GHANA TO PUBLISH THE PLANT BREEDERS BILL IN THE MEDIA FOR ALL GHANAIANS TO PERUSE AND KNOW WHAT IT ACTUALLY ENTAILS FOR A DISPASSIONTE DISCUSSION. IT IS OU ... read full comment
ODIKRO THANK U FOR POPPING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG. I URGE THE GOVT OF GHANA TO PUBLISH THE PLANT BREEDERS BILL IN THE MEDIA FOR ALL GHANAIANS TO PERUSE AND KNOW WHAT IT ACTUALLY ENTAILS FOR A DISPASSIONTE DISCUSSION. IT IS OUR RIGHT TO KNOW.
Brobbsnet-USA 10 years ago
The entire population of Ghana is at RISK because humans are chemically related to the foods we eat. Once the genes in the seeds and foods get changed so will the genes in our bodies change too. That means cancers,tumors and ... read full comment
The entire population of Ghana is at RISK because humans are chemically related to the foods we eat. Once the genes in the seeds and foods get changed so will the genes in our bodies change too. That means cancers,tumors and a host of diseases will be brought to the Ghana population. This is crazy and insane and who are the leaders allowing this to happen?
Brobbsnet-USA 10 years ago
The Company called Monsanto involved in this GMO's failed in California and Washington states and Now they are in Africa because, that is the MECCA of Corruption where Stupid corrupt leaders sleeping in the Vomit of Corruptio ... read full comment
The Company called Monsanto involved in this GMO's failed in California and Washington states and Now they are in Africa because, that is the MECCA of Corruption where Stupid corrupt leaders sleeping in the Vomit of Corruption are putting their populations at risk by accepting this insane and crazy GMO's. Where does the average person go to get a Label showing which produce on the local market is GMO or NOT ? This is Crazy.!
papacy 10 years ago
ooh I see. This homos are at it again. This thin they call a new world order where the west seek to look for every means to control every individual.
first
through android systems
through genetically modified sex
and th ... read full comment
ooh I see. This homos are at it again. This thin they call a new world order where the west seek to look for every means to control every individual.
first
through android systems
through genetically modified sex
and the the most dangerous biologically weapon GMO
they failed severely when they use HIV viruses and it landed in their own backyard
some of our leaders are so naive they are unable to read between the lines
they are filthy greedy. this greedines has blinded them such that they are willing to sign their death warrant . the black man never change
Afia 10 years ago
Good article!
Good article!
Chancellor 10 years ago
why do we want to sell everything of ours for things we least have an idea about, even our rights, i wonder if law makers critically access situation before making laws or they just make laws because they have to, GM foods ha ... read full comment
why do we want to sell everything of ours for things we least have an idea about, even our rights, i wonder if law makers critically access situation before making laws or they just make laws because they have to, GM foods have many more negetives than positives(if any). it's about time we became serios as a nation.
If actually Ghanaian foods are weaponised through GMO's by Americans then our Constitutional rights are been abrogated. If our government and the people have no say in what they eat, then we are been turned into guinea pigs b ...
read full comment
Is the Ghana armed forces really set up to defend the country Ghana and her people?, and if the answer is yes, then their definition of enemy and threat to national security is totally wrong in this 21st century.
...
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TOO LATE TO BUY TIME OR PATIENCE with a reshuffle as the cat is already out of the bag and everybody knows ndc has no plan or agenda to develop the country . in the zeal of hatred fueled by ewe hegemony and northern tribalism ...
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It never ceases to amaze me how far the anti-GMO myths will go to scare people. Weaponizing food, wow a new low. Here is the European National Academies of Science 2013 report on GMO crops and food: "There is no validated e ...
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If we can't farm natural god-made crops, how will we benefit from GMO's? This bill is to give advantage to large corporations to buy up large parts of our country, enslave our population;
degrade our water with pesticides a ...
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We are not disputing the fact that you are able to produce oranges the size of a football. Don't adulterate our food.
GMOs might be wooonderful Robert Wager but the fact remains still that we do not need them in Ghana. We have food surpluses perishing on almost a yearly basis so we need to concentrate on solving such problems in order to pro ...
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Btw Robert, there is also a lot of evidence out there to suggest that there is a cover up regarding the potential hazardous impacts of GMO's and that the US FDA scientists warned of GMO's being dangerous but that their opini ...
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I really do not know how far these Breeders would go, i know for sure that these plants would eventually kill a lot of people. It would also have a great negative impact on our social and economic condition. Ghana should Reje ...
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What I find puzzling is, if these Monsanto jokers claim that their products are safe, why do they refuse to label them? At least the general public must have the choice of either patronizing their products or rejecting them ...
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POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ...
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POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ...
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POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ...
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POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ...
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POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ...
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POLITICIANS WILL EVEN SELL THEIR MOTHERS IF THAT IS WHAT WILL GIVE THEM POWER AND FAME AND MONEY......WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO SELL US THIS TIME AROUND ...GMO'S COULD BE PRODUCED ELSEWHERE IF THOSE PEOPLE SO WISH BUT AS FOR ...
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Clause 23 of the Plant Breeders' Bill states clearly that "A plant breeder right shall be independent of any measure taken by the Republic to regulate within Ghana...."
Where lies democracy if it should be so. Is democracy ...
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In a pod of whales, how can you tell which one is gay?
He's the one that tips the boat and sucks out the 'seamen!'
That professor Sando Alhassan will be beaten sevearly if he doesn't stop that advocacy. How can an African do this to his fellow men? Iwan4gh has a song about G.m.o foods. Go check it out.
God bless our home land Ghana. We need to hit the street and make noise 'coz of this. We need to put our destiny(ies) into our own hands and not on the laps of some cabals calling themselves politrickcians
We need to protect ourselves, our children and future generations. We should sit up and defend our basic rights.
No Imposing G M crops on us.
I fervently hope our politicians are listening and will not succumb to bribery, pressure, control and machinations of Monsanto. GMO foods are banned in Canada where I live as well in Europe. If GMO Food is good why should Eur ...
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GE crops are NOT banned in Canada nor are they now banned in Europe as the European High Court of Justice struck down the ban for lack of evidence of harm to humans or the environment.
I was shocked when I first learnt they are planning to try out GMO in Ghana and despite numerous opposition it is being pushed ahead. Even over here in London, organic food is very expensive meaning even those campaigning for ...
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we still recall how betty mould readily doled out 84 million euros to cp and 45 million dollars to woyome and 46 million to isofoton.....and EVEN THAT SMALL BOY OKUDZETO ABLAKWAS WAS FRONTING FOR AFRICA AUTO LTD TO SUE GHANA ...
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NDC is corrupt but so is NPP. There is absolutely no difference between the nature and extent of the corruption of governments formed by both parties in our recent history. We must stop this mistake of painting one of the par ...
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So where did Nana Akyea Mensah complete his degree in Agriculture? Does he understand what it takes to have food security in a country where we can't produce enough to eat? What research did he do on GMOs? And I'm reading all ...
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You don't have to be a professor or phd holder to understand the grave dangers of GMOs. Info on GMO health hazards is available to all for free.Nana Akyea Mensah is RIGHT.
the only place you will find "information" on the dangers' of GE crops and food is the anti-GMO filled internet. Every single food safety authority, every single health authority and every single National Academy of Science ...
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Amu:
No wonder liars and thieves are parading our FM stations as pastors, if we go by your logic.You can't feed yourself but you know what not to eat. Good luck with that.
You lack common sense. You wanted just to attck the personality of Nana Akyea without gathering the gut to do a thorough research. You see how foolishly you have displayed your ignorance? It does not take a Phd holder to unde ...
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You think by insulting others without making any substantive point is how you make your point and win the day?
Why do we have so many ignorant fools parading this forum and insulting others who are making sound challenging ...
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Frankly most of the comments here on this (and dare I say other subjects) is childish, uninformed and sometimes frankly laughable. It is like empty barrels being thrown down an "aluminium roof" and the noise is cacophonous, b ...
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So food security in Ghana now depends on introducing GMO??! Kofi Sarpong, evidently, you do not know anything about Ghanaian agriculture!! We produce plenty of food naturally each year that perishes due to bad roads and a lac ...
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GM foods from all indications from available evidence is being tied to increased yields, more nutritious, herbicide/pesticide resistance, drought resistance, less acreage per yield, less use of fertilizer etc, etc. On the sur ...
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Much as I do not promote, endorse or advocate GM foods, as the be all and end all to our food security problems, I find your article weak, pathetic and rather misleading!!!
Why the focus on one subject i.e. introducing "pi ...
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Paul, let me ask you this question. Why is cancer so common in the US? I do not know where you live but if, you live in the US, have you ever ponder why cancer kills more in the US? An advance nation like the US should not ...
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Almost thirty years of research around the world have found zero unique risks from GM crops and zero evidence of any cancer risk. If this is not enough evidence for you then how many years of research would you like?
Robert, it is amazing how certain people simply refuse to reason and allow for sound evidence-based debate.
When they resort to insults and name-ccalling as we see here, all it goes to show is that they are not fit for any ...
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In the USA (where I do not live by the way) there has been a rise in a rise in chronic diseases including cancers of all sorts. This trend is seen across the world including in China and indeed Africa. There has over the last ...
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OFFICE OF THE ODIKRO
a companion of the black star!
Hi Paul,
You have failed to point out how the article is "weak, pathetic and rather misleading!!!" Even though you pretend to be only asking for a proper debate, you ...
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Is Paul Amuna equally forcefully pushing for countries in the developed world to adopt GM foods after they have rejected it? If not, why not? Is he saying that, his arguments that he's making does not apply to them as well? I ...
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From the persistent drivel he engages in on Ghanaweb, it's clear Paul Amuna - like the secondary school class clown - thinks it's cute to be a lunatic nuisance when serious matters are being discussed.
The best response is ...
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It seems you know so much but those who know and who are wise and brought up well do not resort to cheap insults without attempting to discuss the substance of issues.
For someone who cannot tell the value of a DNA and Gene to be requesting for a GM debate, you surely have guts. You who doesn't even know DNA has an embbed life-code that is informational, you should be keeping quiet and lear ...
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OFFICE OF THE ODIKRO
a companion of the black star!
Hi whatever!
I write, on behalf of Nana Odikro to congratulate you for astute manner you dealt with this troll yesterday! These trolls come in all forms and shapes! J ...
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Funny little world indeed. Thanks for confirming my ignorance. You only expose your ignorance further but it is not worth engaging you in any discussion since it is simply futile.
Now I think you are going too far with this nonsense of yours. Think whatever you will of me, I may be "ignorant" or lack "knowledge of what DNA or GENE is" fine. Let's leave it at that shall we?
The world is being overpopulated. This is an undeniable fact and the "Powers that Be" have come out with a way to depopulate it. What is the sense of eating foods whose gna has been modified? Such modification, will in the ...
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Sorry another myth. GE crops and food are say safe or safer than food from other breeding methods, so says every food safety authority in the world, every health authority in the world and every National Academy of Science t ...
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Why is it that every industrialized nation on this planet has rejected it?
Why is it that most developing nations who have accepted it, now have mass protests against it.
There are only about 25 countries with bans now. Europe's ban was struck down by its highest court for lack of evidence of harm. Over 70 countries have active GMO R&D programs. Ge crop technology is and will be part of glo ...
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If you ask any scientist about the value of a Gene or a DNA, he would waste no time in telling you that it's about the ' informational value it brings - the embedded life-code in it. Now in this era, where America is invading ...
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There's no food insecurity and no under nutrition or malnutrition anywhere. The developed country's population is dwindling, the less developed countries population is increasing. It's a simple equation of elimination by roug ...
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I am curious how Ghanians feel about Ghanian research on GMO's. it is designed to benefit Ghanian people with Ghanian agricultural problems.
Global science opinion is clear:
Moreover, the AAAS Board said, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the British Royal Society, and “every other respecte ...
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Let me help you here and listen carefully.
In spite of all these so called conclusions by all these organisations or boards, every advanced nation on this planet has decided against the introduction of GM foods.
Is that d ...
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I am not sure where you get your information from but it is incorrect. Only 25 odd countries now have bans. The rest either grow GE crops, or have active R&D programs in GE crop technology. May I suggest you look up the IS ...
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If genetically modified seeds are so wonderful, why did the Monsantos of this world spend some $20 million
only a few weeks ago to defeat a proposition in the State of Washington requiring foods containing any genetically e ...
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You appear to be unaware of exactly how glyphosate resistance is created. The gene that is engineered has a few amino acid changes from the wild type enzyme found in plants. the resulting engineered enzyme (a large polypept ...
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Robert:
Thanks for your thread. Most of the people in this forum are not enlightened. You see, the illiterate of the 21st century are no longer those who can't read nor write.
So in your opinion, all the advanced nations in the world and their scientists took a look at your simple explanation and then decided that they still did not want to have anything to do with GM foods. Does it make sense to y ...
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You are either confused or tried to evade answering my questions. It is known fact that the engineered protein "renders" glyphosphate "harmless" to the crop but "destroys" the weed without the gene. So what you wrote is nothi ...
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Despite the existence of some "sponsored research" and influencing of some institutions, I repeat and you can check yourself - No industrialized nation on this planet has accepted the introduction of GM food. No report on thi ...
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ODIKRO THANK U FOR POPPING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG. I URGE THE GOVT OF GHANA TO PUBLISH THE PLANT BREEDERS BILL IN THE MEDIA FOR ALL GHANAIANS TO PERUSE AND KNOW WHAT IT ACTUALLY ENTAILS FOR A DISPASSIONTE DISCUSSION. IT IS OU ...
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The entire population of Ghana is at RISK because humans are chemically related to the foods we eat. Once the genes in the seeds and foods get changed so will the genes in our bodies change too. That means cancers,tumors and ...
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The Company called Monsanto involved in this GMO's failed in California and Washington states and Now they are in Africa because, that is the MECCA of Corruption where Stupid corrupt leaders sleeping in the Vomit of Corruptio ...
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ooh I see. This homos are at it again. This thin they call a new world order where the west seek to look for every means to control every individual.
first
through android systems
through genetically modified sex
and th ...
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Good article!
why do we want to sell everything of ours for things we least have an idea about, even our rights, i wonder if law makers critically access situation before making laws or they just make laws because they have to, GM foods ha ...
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