June 15, 2009

Contents:

1. ACTION ALERT: Stop Genetically Modified Wheat in Canada
2. Be Cautious of Skin Damage this Summer
3. Human Activity and the Environment: Food in Canada, 2009

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ACTION ALERT: Stop Genetically Modified Wheat in Canada

by Canadian Biotechnology Action Network

In 2004, genetically modified (GM - also called genetically engineered or GE) wheat was rejected by farmers and consumers across the globe, and yet industry is now working to prepare the way for GM wheat.

On May 14, 2009 industry groups in Australia, Canada and the US pledged to "work toward the goal of synchronized commercialization of biotech traits in our wheat crops."

In response, on June 1, 2009, the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network and 14 groups from Australia, Canada and the United States issued a joint statement reminding Monsanto and industry groups that GM wheat has already been soundly rejected - and we reiterated our pledge to stop commercialization.

WHAT ORGANIZATIONS CAN DO:

If you belong to a group, association, church, union, professional body, please help us by asking your organization endorse the global rejection of GM wheat. Groups are asked to sign on to the statement at http://www.cban.ca/globalstopGMwheat Deadline: August 31, 2009.

Sign the statement: "In light of our existing experience with genetic engineering, and recognizing the global consumer rejection of genetically engineered wheat, we restate our definitive opposition to GE wheat and our commitment to stopping the commercialization of GE traits in our wheat crops."

WHAT INDIVIDUALS CAN DO:

Send your instant letter to the Minister of Agriculture at http://www.cban.ca/globalstopGMwheat

Visit http://www.cban.ca/GMwheat to see other action options.

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Be Cautious of Skin Damage this Summer

by Karen V Bowers

Did you spend hours on the beach when you were a child? Have your ever baked in the sun yearning for the darkest tan possible? Excessive sun exposure most often occurs during recreational activities and, like most people, we generally believe that we are safe from UV radiation.

It's estimated that there are 53,000 new cases of melanoma and 8,000 deaths due to this disease throughout North America yearly. Melanoma is the most deadly of the three major types of skin cancer. Squamous cell cancer and basal cell cancer generally stay localized in the epidermis, where their respective cells originate. Melanoma specifically can be difficult to detect. While some stages of melanoma will show the presence of a skin lesion, it can spread deeper beyond the dermis to the various organs. The first signs of this disease in many melanoma patients occur when tumours are found in lymph nodes or other organs.

Skin cancer accounts for almost half of all cancer in North America. According to the National Cancer Institute, current estimates are that 40 to 50 per cent of persons living to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once. I personally have observed an increase in early stage lesions within the past 10 years.

Researchers internationally work diligently to cure and prevent this aggressive, observable disease. Two professors, Drs. Elaine and Myron Jacobson from the Arizona Cancer Center, are widely recognized as experts at understanding the role cellular that DNA damage plays in the formation of cancer. They have specifically demonstrated that a specific molecule from niacin can enhance DNA repair of cells that are damaged by sunlight and aging. 

This molecular research was so promising that the National Cancer Institute awarded The University of Arizona, via the Jacobsons, giving them an opportunity to develop compounds using this Niacin molecule they call "NAD" for the prevention of cancer. 

"Our cancer research had identified an important role for the active form of niacin in how cells respond to genetic damage," Dr. Myron Jacobson explains, "This research has the potential to prevent the formation of skin cancer and the progression of lesions that often occur before skin cancer occurs. We needed to identify a molecule that allowed us to deliver it without a reaction because niacin or niacinamide cannot be effectively delivered to skin cells."

The promising new molecule called NAD comes from nicotinic acid. What makes is so unique is that it stimulates the release of leptin, a naturally occurring hormone. Leptin is needed for the repair of DNA damage and for maintaining and combating photo-immune suppression. The other forms, nicotinamide or niacinamide, do not share the therapeutic benefits of nicotinic acid. Dr. Jacobson has formulated a product called Nia 24 in the form of a repair cream and sun block.

It's important to be observant, if you have been repeatedly exposed to sun or have had several sunburns, you should complete a self-evaluation every three months. Look for lesions that have irregular borders, colour variations and/or grow to a size that is larger than a pencil eraser. If you suspect that you may have melanoma, seek medical consultation immediately.

Karen V. Bowers, the founder of New Visage Advanced Skin Care and Anti-Aging, has 33 years of international training in natural skin care. For more information about her Vancouver office, treatments or boutique, visit http://www.newvisage.ca.

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Human Activity and the Environment: Food in Canada, 2009

by Statistics Canada

Spending on food and non-alcoholic beverages in 2003 resulted in almost 46,000 kilotonnes of greenhouse gases, according to the first comprehensive national estimate of food-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada. This was equivalent to 6.4 per cent of total national GHG emissions that year.

This national estimate was the result of integrating the most recent detailed data on the structure of the economy with data on energy use and GHG emissions.

Almost one-quarter (23 per cent) of these food-related GHG emissions was attributable to the production of fresh and frozen meat, while fish products contributed 2%. Beef alone accounted for 15 per cent of all GHG emissions resulting from household spending on food in 2003.

Looking at the amount of energy required to produce food shows another dimension of the environmental impact of the food system. More energy was used in the production of prepared foods than any of the other food groups, reflecting the energy inputs required for processing these foods. Prepared foods accounted for 19 per cent of food-related energy use, while dairy and eggs accounted for 18 per cent, and fresh and frozen meat accounted for 14 per cent.

Farmers influence energy use through their choice of land management practices. The proportion of land prepared for seeding using no tillage increased from six per cent of total area in 1991 to 46 per cent in 2006. The share of land under conventional tillage fell from 69 to 28 per cent.

More at http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/090609/dq09...

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