The South African government is highly irresponsible in authorising this highly toxic and dangerous GM maize from entering SA, in the event it is approved in the US. 2,4-D was one of two active ingredients in the infamous chemical weapon, ‘Agent Orange’, used to devastating effect during the Vietnam war. Exposure to 2,4-D has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells. Epidemiologists from the National Cancer Institute in the USA regard this link as the strongest association yet found between a pesticide and a disease. Dozens of human and animal studies have shown 2,4-D to cause birth defects, neurological damage, and interference with reproductive function. The use of 2,4-D in Sweden, Norway and Denmark is banned because of these well publicised links. South Africans would be eating this chemically tainted and toxic maize directly. The potential impact of this upon public health does not bear thinking about.
Please support this petition as the GMO Authorities in SA have given the green light for the importation into SA, of Dow Chemical’s highly controversial 2,4-D tolerant GM maize (variety DAS 40278-9) into South Africa, where it will be used as food. 2,4-D was one of two active ingredients in the infamous chemical weapon, ‘Agent Orange’, used to devastating effect during the Vietnam war. Exposure to 2,4-D has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells.
Please use this link to support the petition
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Ban_Agent_Orange_GM_maize_in_South_Africa/?cYuMaab
