Post by Sohail on Dec 10, 2005 15:50:41 GMT
Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu
"Eat and drink of that which Allah has provided
and do not act corruptly, making mishchief on the earth." Qur'an (2:60)
***GM FOOD : AN INTRODUCTION***
The issue of Genetically Modified (GM) Food is one of the most important issues of our age. Our physical and spiritual well-being is being compromised for the sake of big business. These engineered crops are already being grown over millions of acres worldwide and can cross-pollinate with normal varieties.The environment is being mistaken for an experimental playground, a mistake that is creating unrecallable damage to the web of life.
We are told that GM is just a precise extension of natural breeding and that these manipulated 'foods' can help solve the world hunger problem. We are told that these 'foods' can help solve nutritional deficiencies, and anyone who gets in the way is accused of scare-mongering, of being 'anti-science' and of condemning millions to starvation.......
If we look at the facts, however, we find something quite interesting. The scientific facts tell us that genetic modification disrupts the normal expression of genes, resulting in potentially toxic effects. The facts tell us that many eminent scientists are actually against the release of GM foods into the environment and into the food-chain. The facts tell us that this technology is not being used to solve world hunger; but to increase dependency on multinationals. The facts tell us that the claims pushed forward to justify GM foods are designed to act as a global smoke-screen whilst the technology is used to satisfy an insatiable desire for wealth and power, created out of a lack of identification with higher values.
Not only is a large proportion of the worlds food supply in danger of being genetically manipulated, but scientific tests are showing that pollen from already existing GM crops is cross-fertilizing conventional ones. This means that it may soon be impossible to find any natural food. Action is therefore needed - and we must act fast. We cannot wait for our neighbour and we cannot rely on the government. We encourage you to join the millions of people worldwide, and help to push for a total ban on the use of genetically modified organisms in food and farming. At the same time, we urge politicians to utilize safe & integrated solutions to help solve national and global problems.
***RELIGION & GM FOOD***
Scientific issues such as those related to gene technology applications are totally relevant to people of all faiths and religions, including Muslims. Surely after all, the ultimate challenge of any religious or spiritual person is to also apply the teachings to the world in which they live. Gene technologies have the potential to alter creation and undermine the principle of wholeness and oneness with potentially dangerous consequences. They affect our lives and those of future generations, and are being used right now. They cannot be ignored. In order to meet the challenge and apply spiritual teachings to modern day issues like GM/GE foods, we need to understand not only the teachings and develop not only our inner state but also to develop our understanding of what the issue is about. We need to understand the world in which we live. With this knowledge we become empowered. With empowerment we are better able to make a difference. The question is..... Are you ready?
"Eat and drink of that which Allah has provided
and do not act corruptly, making mishchief on the earth." Qur'an (2:60)
***GM FOOD : AN INTRODUCTION***
The issue of Genetically Modified (GM) Food is one of the most important issues of our age. Our physical and spiritual well-being is being compromised for the sake of big business. These engineered crops are already being grown over millions of acres worldwide and can cross-pollinate with normal varieties.The environment is being mistaken for an experimental playground, a mistake that is creating unrecallable damage to the web of life.
We are told that GM is just a precise extension of natural breeding and that these manipulated 'foods' can help solve the world hunger problem. We are told that these 'foods' can help solve nutritional deficiencies, and anyone who gets in the way is accused of scare-mongering, of being 'anti-science' and of condemning millions to starvation.......
If we look at the facts, however, we find something quite interesting. The scientific facts tell us that genetic modification disrupts the normal expression of genes, resulting in potentially toxic effects. The facts tell us that many eminent scientists are actually against the release of GM foods into the environment and into the food-chain. The facts tell us that this technology is not being used to solve world hunger; but to increase dependency on multinationals. The facts tell us that the claims pushed forward to justify GM foods are designed to act as a global smoke-screen whilst the technology is used to satisfy an insatiable desire for wealth and power, created out of a lack of identification with higher values.
Not only is a large proportion of the worlds food supply in danger of being genetically manipulated, but scientific tests are showing that pollen from already existing GM crops is cross-fertilizing conventional ones. This means that it may soon be impossible to find any natural food. Action is therefore needed - and we must act fast. We cannot wait for our neighbour and we cannot rely on the government. We encourage you to join the millions of people worldwide, and help to push for a total ban on the use of genetically modified organisms in food and farming. At the same time, we urge politicians to utilize safe & integrated solutions to help solve national and global problems.
***RELIGION & GM FOOD***
Scientific issues such as those related to gene technology applications are totally relevant to people of all faiths and religions, including Muslims. Surely after all, the ultimate challenge of any religious or spiritual person is to also apply the teachings to the world in which they live. Gene technologies have the potential to alter creation and undermine the principle of wholeness and oneness with potentially dangerous consequences. They affect our lives and those of future generations, and are being used right now. They cannot be ignored. In order to meet the challenge and apply spiritual teachings to modern day issues like GM/GE foods, we need to understand not only the teachings and develop not only our inner state but also to develop our understanding of what the issue is about. We need to understand the world in which we live. With this knowledge we become empowered. With empowerment we are better able to make a difference. The question is..... Are you ready?
