The Canary Report

Monsanto, pesticides, and genes

Posted on Jun 24, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Environment, Linda Sepp

LINDA’S LUGUBRIOUS LACHRYMALS.

Post by Linda Sepp.

CTV reports Monsanto Co. and Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. are formalizing a partnership to breed broccoli, spinach and other vegetables that would be more attractive to consumers.

UC Berkeley reports children are susceptible to pesticides longer than expected, study finds.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reports pediatric researchers have identified hundreds of gene variations that occur more frequently in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than in children without ADHD. The reports says any of those genes were already known to be important for learning, behavior, brain function and neurodevelopment, but had not been previously associated with ADHD. “Because the gene alterations we found are involved in the development of the nervous system, they may eventually guide researchers to better targets in designing early intervention for children with ADHD,” said lead author Josephine Elia, M.D., a psychiatrist and ADHD expert at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I think we should be looking for what is damaging these genes and stop using those chemicals, instead of focusing on future drug targets which may have more unintended consequences.

Wiley-Blackwell reports new research discovers link between smoking and brain damage.

Dr. Peter Carlen at The Globe and Mail reports on review of the literature that found consumption of aspartame could cause neurological and behavioural disturbances in sensitive individuals. These included headaches, insomnia and seizures, and could in part be attributed to changes in regional brain concentrations of certain neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, according to the findings published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2008.

The Globe and Mail also reports Health Canada wants to ban six types of phthalates, the so-called “rubber duck” chemical, from children’s toys, but consumers interested in avoiding the compound in other products will find that a nearly impossible task.

Of interest to people who are isolated at home, Rush University Medical Center reports less frequent social activity is linked to a more rapid loss of motor function in older adults.

And from my archives:

WECT6 Wilmington reports the little word “fragrance” can actually stand for thousands of different chemicals and thousands of other different chemical combinations, all untested for safety. Includes a good video on the subject.

The Organic Consumers Association reports “secretive” chemicals are being hidden in food under “artificial flavors” label.

Grassroots Environmental Education reports on The ChildSafe School, a solution-based program designed to reduce children’s exposures to common environmental toxins found in and around schools. The three areas of focus include diesel exhaust from school buses, toxic chemicals in cleaning products, and pesticides used on playing fields and school grounds.

How much more do we need to know before we do the right thing?

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Tags: Chemicals, Children's Health, Environment, Pesticides, Toxic