The dangers of genetically modified wine yeast

[nosmokes]

The second paragraph speaks volumes. Regulated? Hell, We can't even get this GMO crap labeled. - nosmokes
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original::napa valley register

The dangers of genetically modified wine yeast
By Erica Martenson

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 6:39 AM PST

Despite the Wine Institute’s recent statement that no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) should be used in winemaking, the Sacramento Bee recently reported that, according to American Tartaric Products, the first wines made with a genetically modified wine yeast, ML01, will be released this year.

This yeast is available only in North America where GMOs are unregulated. It was modified by inserting two foreign genes, one from the pombe yeast, a yeast found in Africa and used to make beer, and one from the bacteria O. oeni, so that the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations, normally a two-step process, occur at the same time. While this may be a convenience to winemakers, especially those producing large quantities of wine, I am concerned for both consumers and our local economy.

The FDA’s designation of this yeast as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) is questionable for a few reasons. First of all, the FDA approved the yeast based on data supplied by the developer, not based on its own study or an independent study. A developer has an interest in getting its product to market as soon as possible, whether it has been proven safe or not. Secondly, according to Professor Joseph Cummins, emeritus genetics professor at the University of Western Ontario, wine yeasts are unstable, and genetically altering them can lead to unexpected toxicity in the final product. He states that there is no evidence that the developer did any animal feeding studies to test for such toxicity and that there is no proof that the yeast and yeast DNA will not be present in the wine.

A few wineries’ decision to use this yeast could affect the entire North American market. Since these wines are unlabeled, the only way people can avoid them is to avoid all wines from North America, except those labeled organic, and few wines are labeled organic, due to the addition of sulfites during the winemaking process. Consumers in Europe and Asia are very informed regarding GMOs and have resoundingly rejected them. American consumers are becoming more aware, and polls show that a majority of Americans would prefer to avoid them.
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complete article here

[Porcupine]

1. Oh crap. Wine yeasts are natural airborne path survivors

Airborne yeasts can be a nuiscance in the wine country. The foggy weather and availability of naturally occuring food sources are ideal. If you leave a pitcher of apple juice out in wine country it will try to turn to cider every time.

Whose idiot idea was this? Now if anybody in the wine country has this DNA string showing up in their wine they have to pay the asshats that released the yeast in the first place.

Humans are stupid.