The Gaia Reports

By Theodora Filis European Member states could be given the right to ban genetically modified crops on environmental grounds under proposals put forward this week by the European Parliament's Environment Committee. Members voted to add “environmental impacts” to a list of grounds on which European Union (EU) countries could either ban or restrict genetically modified organisms (GMOs) usage. At present, EU member states are only able to restrict genetically modified GMO crop cultivation under strict conditions, as authorization licenses are valid across the 27-country bloc, in accordance with the principles of the EU's single market. France's Corinne Lepage, draftswomen for the rules,  said it sent a clear signal to the commission. "The EU authorization system should be maintained but it should be acknowledged that some agricultural and environmental impacts, as well as socio-economic impacts linked to contamination, can be cited by member states to justify a ban o...

By Theodora Filis A new report, published in Environmental Sciences Europe on March 1, 2011, confirms a diet of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) affects the liver and kidney, the major reactive organs in cases of chronic food toxicity. “Other organs may be affected too, such as the heart and spleen, or blood cells,” stated the paper. “In fact, some of the animals fed genetically modified organisms had altered body weights in at least one gender, which is “a very good predictor of side effects in various organs.” The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) also reports that “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food,” including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. The AAEM asked physicians to advise patients to avoid Genetically Modified (GM) foods. Before the FDA decided to allow GMOs into food without labeling, FDA scientists had...

By Theodora Filis In 2007 an unprecedented drought, lasting nearly three years, stretched across the southeastern United States forcing some of the region's largest cities to declare water emergencies. The situation became so serious that officials in Atlanta, where rainfall totals were more than 16 inches below normal, were worried they would run out of drinking water. David Stooksbury, a climatologist at Georgia State, classified the drought as “an exceptional drought... basically [it is] the type of drought that we expect to see about once in 100 years.” When Lake Lanier reservoir, the main source of Atlanta’s water supply, shrank to historic lows in the midst of the drought, Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue called the drought “man-made,” and sought to halt or severely restrict water releases from Lake Lanier reservoir, directly threatening numerous aquatic species downstream, including endangered mussels and sturgeon. This crisis triggered litigation, and a water war, involv...