GMOs; Eyeglass Clinic; Free movies in SJ

 LABELING OF GM FOODS: YES OR NO

Photography by Denise Blasor

Do you have the right to know what's in the food you eat?

According to Monsanto, E.I.du Pont, PepsiCo, Bayer Cropscience, Dow Agrosciences, Nestle USA, Coca-Cola North America, and Conagra Foods, the answer to that question is NO.

These are the companies that a San Jose Mercury News story, published in August, listed as major contributors to the multimillion dollar campaign to defeat Proposition 37, a citizens' ballot initiative that, if approved on Election Day, would make California the first state in the U.S. to require the labeling of genetically engineered foods, including raw fruits and vegetables. Opponents raised $25 million to fight the initiative ( in contrast to under $3 million raised by supporters), with Monsanto donating the highest amount: $4.2 million. But then this company, a leading producer of GE seeds, has a vast stake in the GMO business.

Known as the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act, Proposition 37 is one of 11 measures that Californians will be asked to vote on (early voting begins Oct. 9). Its approval would have a significant impact: advocates say it could herald national labeling of GMO foods.

Considering that 75 to 85 percent of all processed foods contain GMOs, it
would seem a no-brainer that products should carry the GMO label. After all, many nations in Europe and other parts of the world label genetically engineered food. Not so the U.S. The only GMO mention stateside consumers are likely to see on a package or container is a disavowal by the manufacturer that the product in said package or container contains genetically engineered ingredients.

Why so much fear to inform consumers? Opponents argue that a label could confuse the public, lead to higher food prices, and harm the agricultural sector.

Proponents insist on their right to know. They also have serious concerns about the safety of GMOs even though the federal Food and Drug Administration insists they pose no health hazards. Some studies have raised red flags, however.  Earlier this month, Agence France Press reported that rats fed on a genetically-modified corn made by Monsanto or exposed to the weedkiller Roundup, also made by Monsanto, developed tumors, according to a study by scientists at the University of Caen. Meanwhile, scientists in Norway recently released the findings of a 10-year-long feeding study carried out on rats, mice, pigs and salmon which found a link between genetically engineered feed and obesity; the diet also resulted in significant changes in the digestive system and major organs.

Genetic engineering is the process of manipulating the DNA of organisms; as applied to agriculture, it entails tinkering with the basic genetic fabric of the food supply, modifying seeds so they will be able to withstand the use of herbicides and pesticides (some seeds are modified to carry the pesticide within them), or even adding new characteristics to enhance the nutrients in a crop. It's a complicated science and for many people, one filled with many unknowns and dangers.

Many consumers are comfortable buying GM foods. Others are not. But regardless of a person's stand on this white-hot issue, surely most consumers would agree that buyers are entitled to know what they are buying, especially in the case of a product that one ingests, feeds one's family, and has implications on individual health. It is time for companies that produce and sell GM foods to give up secrecy in favor of full disclosure. It's the right thing to do.

Photography by Juliette Blasor

Oh, the feeling of aloneness. 
Not lonely. But aloness.
Tracy Emin

 EYEGLASS CLINIC in San Juan

Photography by Denise Blasor

There are clinics for people, for pets, and yes, even for eyeglasses which can be a blessing

 if your glasses fall apart, like when the arm (known as temple) falls off and you're stuck with a skewed spectacle.

 Rafael Meinhofer is the reserved but efficient  man in charge of Clinica de Gafas, a repair center for eyeglasses and sun specs. His small store  might be easy to overlook except it is right next door  to Kamoli, the funky eatery on the corner of Taft and Loiza Street. Meinhofer will restore your glasses to good health, thus extending their useful life, but also provide other services like selling frames and making new glasses. The store is open Monday through Saturday.

Clinica de Gafas #1704 Loiza St.   
Monday-Friday: 9 am-1 pm; 2 - 4 pm

Saturday: 9 am - 1 pm         787.728.0450

                                

Photography by Denise Blasor

My eyes are tired. For over half a century,
they have gazed into nullity
where they have found a
lovely nothing.

James Joyce

FREE MOVIEs

Casa de la cultura Nilita Vientós Gastón has launched a series of monthly screenings of French and Spanish movies and the best thing is that it is free. The next movie in the lineup is L'enfer, a 1994 film by French director Claude Chabrol, featuring Emmanuelle Béart and Franḉois Cluzet in the leading roles. The plot centers on a husband who, suspecting his wife of being unfaithful, descends into paranoia.

Upcoming movies include: El verdugo by director L. García Berlanga on Oct. 24; French Cancan by Jean Renoir, Nov. 7; Viridiana, by Luis Buñuel, Nov. 28; Betty, by Claude Chabrol, Dec. 5; and Calabuch, by L. García Berlanga, Dec. 19. Sponsored by: Universidad del Este, the Alliance Franḉaise de Puerto Rico, and the Spanish Consulate in San Juan.

The screenings begin at 7 p.m. 

Casa de la cultura Nilita Vientós Gastón

#55 Cordero St., Ocean Park

 ( between Loiza Street and McLeary) 

© 2012 Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved♥