Chinese scientists are conducting experiments to create genetically modified (GM) cattle designed to produce tastier beef. They have given extra genes to two calf clones in hopes that the genes will increase muscle fat and improve meat flavor. After the calves reach maturity, they will be slaughtered to test the quality of their meat.
Though beef is not a necessary part of the human diet, the best tasting and healthiest beef is traditionally produced by treating cattle well, allowing them to graze and roam free, and feeding them a natural diet. Producing GM cattle might improve beef flavor for less money, but animals must suffer greatly in these experiments. Like all GM foods, GM beef would have unpredictable effects on the health of humans who consume it.
Scientists from Johns Hopkins University and Arizona State University recently discovered arsenic in feather meal from poultry raised in U.S. factory farms. Food companies routinely feed arsenic to poultry in order to fight infection and turn their flesh an "appetizing" pink color.
In addition to arsenic, scientists found caffeine, antihistamines and a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. These drugs were included in poultry feed to keep animals awake longer so they eat more, to calm the animals, and to fight infection, respectively. Fluoroquinolones are already illegal because they can breed antibiotic-resistant bacteria that harm humans. But apparently that hasn't stopped the poultry industry.
Factory farm workers are often unaware of the chemicals they feed to poultry. Obviously, consumers are also unaware of the drugs fed to the animals they eat.
In the beginning of
April, I started a
petition to urge the FDA
to stop requiring any
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Please,...
Joseph Kony deserves to
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He's spent two decades
committing horrific
crimes against humanity.
However, if he were to be
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children be safe? Not in
the least. So, what can
you do? 1. Only buy
fair trade 2...