《公开信》强调：我们，联署签名这封《公开信》的美国人，与你们分享我们学到的经验，以便你们不要再重复我们的错误。我们强烈催促你们抵抗对转基因作物的批准，拒绝种植已经获得批准的农作物、拒绝进口和/或销售转基因污染的动物饲料与企图给人食用的转基因食品，而且挺身而出反对公司影响政治、监管与科学。如果我们共同合作，我们就有可能振兴我们全球的粮食系统，确保健康的土壤、健康的农田、健康的食物与健康的人民。 《美国人致英国与欧盟公民、政治家与监管机构关于转基因作物危险的公开信》联署者人数已经达到56,910,083人，包括美国各界一批知名人士。《公开信》的要点包括美国生物技术公司及其科学家、政府监管部门推出转基因作物、转基因食品时的“被打破的承诺”、“农药与超级野草”、“环境危害、没有健康的土壤”，“我们无法种植健康的农作物”、“威胁人类健康”、“对科学的否定”、“控制食品供应”、“已经到了必须公开说话的时候了”！

Living with GMOs – A Letter from America

与转基因一起生活 -- 美国人的一封信

转载、翻译者：陈一文（cheniwan@cei.gov.cn）

Posted, translated by Chen I-wan （cheniwan@cei.gov.cn）

《转基因技术与人类安全》研究专家、80年代两届全国青联委员

"GM technology & mankind safety" research expert

Former National Youth Federation Committee Member during 80s

转载自http://www.theletterfromamerica.org/the-letter/



An open letter to the citizens, politicians, and regulators of the UK and the rest of the EU about the hazards of genetically modified crops

致英国与欧盟公民、政治家与监管机构关于转基因作物危险的公开信



-- 56,910,083 USA ENDORSEMENTS

-- 美国联署者人数56,910,083



We are writing as concerned American citizens to share with you our experience of genetically modified (GM) crops and the resulting damage to our agricultural system and adulteration of our food supply.

我们作为有所担心的美国公民与你们分享我们对于转基因作物以及它们对我们的农业系统造成的损害与对我们食物供掺假的经验。



In our country, GM crops account for about half of harvested cropland. Around 94% of the soy, 93% of corn (maize) and 96% of cotton grown is GM.1

在美国，转基因作物占到有收获的农作物种植农田的大约一半。大约94%的大豆、93%的玉米与96%的棉花是转基因作物。1



The UK and the rest of the EU have yet to adopt GM crops in the way that we have, but you are currently under tremendous pressure from governments, biotech lobbyists, and large corporations to adopt what we now regard as a failing agricultural technology.

英国与欧盟其他国家还没有像美国采用的方式那样采用转基因作物，但是你们目前来自政府、生物技术游说者以及大公司的巨大压力企图迫使你们采用我们目前认为是失败的农业技术。



Polls consistently show that 72% of Americans do not want to eat GM foods and over 90% of Americans believe GM foods should be labeled.2 In spite of this massive public mandate, efforts to get our federal3 and state4 governments to better regulate, or simply label, GMOs are being undermined by large biotech and food corporations with unlimited budgets5 and undue influence.

民意投票一直表明72%的美国人不要吃转基因食物而且90%以上的美国人认为转基因食品应当标识。2 尽管存在如此巨大的公众授权，呼求美国联邦的3 以及州的4政府更好监管或者简单标识转基因的努力，遭到具有巨额预算5 和不正当影响生物技术巨头与食品公司的破坏。



As you consider your options, we’d like to share with you what nearly two decades of GM crops in the United States has brought us. We believe our experience serves as a warning for what will happen in your countries should you follow us down this road.

在你们考虑你们的选择时，我们愿意与你们分享在美国种植了近二十年转基因作物带给我们的经验。我们相信我们的经验起到对你们的国家中将发生什么状况的警告，如果你们跟随我们发展转基因的道路。



Broken promises

被打破的承诺



GM crops were released onto the market with a promise that they would consistently increase yields and decrease pesticide use. They have done neither.6 In fact, according to a recent US government report yields from GM crops can be lower than their non-GM equivalents.7

转基因作物释放到市场中时带着它们将不断提高产量与减少农药使用的承诺。他们两项都没有实现。6 事实上，根据最近的美国政府报告，转基因的单位面积产量可以比它们的非转基因等同作物的单位面积产量低。7



Farmers were told that GM crops would yield bigger profits too. The reality, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, is different.8Profitability is highly variable, while the cost of growing these crops has spiraled.9 GM seeds cannot legally be saved for replanting, which means farmers must buy new seeds each year. Biotech companies control the price of seeds, which cost farmers 3-6 times more than conventional seeds.10This, combined with the huge chemical inputs they require, means GM crops have proved more costly to grow than conventional crops. Because of the disproportionate emphasis on GM crops, conventional seed varieties are no longer widely available leaving farmers with less choice and control over what they plant.11

农民曾被告知转基因作物将为他们获得更大的利润。实际情况，依据美国农业部，与此不同。8 利润性极为不同，在此同时种植这些作物的费用不断攀升。9 转基因种子无法合法留种进行再种植，意味着农民每年必须购买新的种子。生物技术公司控制种子的价格，其价格为传统种子的3-6倍。10 转基因种子的价格，加上它们所要求的巨量化学品投入，意味着转基因作物被证实比种植传统作物更加昂贵。由于不成比例重视转基因作物，传统种子品种不再广泛可以获得，是农民对他们种植什么的选择与控制更少。11



Farmers who have chosen not to grow GM crops can find their fields contaminated with GM crops as a result of cross pollination between related species of plants12 and GM and non-GM seeds being mixed together during storage.

选择不种植转基因作物的农民，可能发现他们的农田通过相关转基因作物花粉的遭到交叉污染12 或者由于转基因种子与非转基因种子在储存中混合的结果。



Because of this our farmers are losing export markets. Many countries have restrictions or outright bans on growing or importing GM crops13 and as a result, these crops have become responsible for a rise in trade disputes when shipments of grain are found to be contaminated with GM organisms (GMOs). 14

为此我们的农民正在丧失出口市场。许多国家对种植或者进口转基因作物有限制或禁绝令，13 而且作为结果，这样的农作物引起货运谷物发现遭到转基因污染的贸易冲突事件增加。14



The burgeoning organic market here in the US is also being affected. Many organic farmers have lost contracts for organic seed due to high levels of contamination. This problem is increasing and is expected to get much bigger in the coming years.

在美国蓬勃发展的有机市场也受到影响。由于高水平的转基因污染，许多有机农民丧失了有机种子的合同。这种问题不断增加，而且预计未来将更加严重。



Pesticides and superweeds

农药与超级野草



The most widely grown types of GM crops are known as “Roundup Ready” crops. These crops, mostly corn and soy, have been genetically engineered so that when they are sprayed with the herbicide Roundup® – the active ingredient of which is glyphosate – the weeds die but the crop continues to grow.

最为广泛种植的转基因作物众所周知是"抗草甘膦除草剂农达”转基因作物。这些作物，最大部分是玉米与大豆，被转基因使其喷洒孟山都草甘膦除草剂农达时 -- 草甘膦是其活性成分 -- 野草死掉但是转基因作物继续生长。



This has created a vicious circle. Weeds have become resistant to the herbicide, causing farmers to spray even more. Heavier use of herbicides creates ever more “superweeds” and even higher herbicide use. A recent review found that between 1996 and 2011, farmers who planted Roundup Ready crops used 24% more herbicide than non-GMO farmers planting the same crops.15

这样创造了一个恶性循环。野草成为对除草剂具有抗性，造成农民喷洒更多除草剂。大量使用除草剂创造了更多的“超级野草”并造成除草剂更大用量。最近的一项审查发现，1996年至2011年之间，种植抗草甘膦转基因作物的农民，比种植同种非转基因作物的农民，多用了24%的除草剂。15



If we remain on this trajectory with Roundup Ready crops we can expect to see herbicide rates increase by 25% each year for the foreseeable future.

如果我们继续沿着抗草甘膦转基因作物的道路前进，我们预计可以预见未来除草剂使用量每年将增加25%。



This pesticide treadmill means that in the last decade in the US at least 14 new glyphosate-resistant weed species have emerged,16 and over half of US farms are plagued with herbicide-resistant weeds.17

这个农药跑步机意味着过去十年在美国出现了14种新的抗草甘膦野草，16 而且50%以上的美国农场遭受抗除草剂杂草的困扰。17



Biotech companies, which sell both the GM seeds and the herbicides,18 have proposed to address this problem with the creation of new crop varieties that will be able to withstand even stronger and more toxic herbicides such as 2,4-D and dicamba. However it is estimated that if these new varieties are approved, this could drive herbicide use up by as much as 50%.19

生物技术公司，既推销转基因种子又推销除草剂，18 提出通过创造新的转基因品种应对这个问题，让它们能够容忍喷洒更为强烈更为毒性除草剂，例如2,4-D与麦草畏。然而，如果批准这些品种转基因作物种植，预计将推动除草剂使用增长50%。19



Environmental harm

环境危害



Studies have shown that the increased herbicide use on Roundup Ready crops is highly destructive to the natural environment. For example, Roundup kills milkweeds, which are the key food source for the iconic Monarch butterfly20 and poses a threat to other important insects such as bees.21 It is also damaging to soil, killing beneficial organisms that keep it healthy and productive22 and *** essential micronutrients unavailable to the plant.23

研究表明，抗草甘膦转基因作物种植增加使用的草甘膦除草剂严重破坏自然环境。例如，草甘膦除草剂农达杀死乳草，它们是标志性黑脉金斑蝶20 的关键性食物来源，威胁蜜蜂等其他重要昆虫。21 草甘膦除草剂还损害土壤，杀死保障土壤健康与生长能力的有益生物22 并且螯合至关重要微量营养物使植物无法吸收它们。23



Without healthy soil, we cannot grow healthy plants.

没有健康的土壤，我们无法种植健康的农作物



Other types of GM plants, which have been engineered to produce their own insecticide (e.g. “Bt” cotton plants), have also been shown to harm beneficial insects including green lacewings24, the Daphnia magna waterflea25 and other aquatic insects,26 and ladybugs (ladybirds).27

其他类型的转基因作物，被转基因产生它们自己的杀虫剂（即转基因Bt作物），也表明伤害有益昆虫绿草蜻蛉24、水蚤等其他水生昆虫，26 以及瓢虫。27



Resistance to the insecticides in these plants is also growing,28 creating new varieties of resistant “superbugs” and requiring more applications of insecticides at different points in the growth cycle, for instance on the seed before it is planted.29 In spite of this, new Bt varieties of corn and soy have been approved here and will soon be planted.

对转基因Bt作物中杀虫剂的抗性也在增长，28创造了新的抗性“超级害虫”，要求在播种前灯农作物生长周期不同阶段喷洒更多杀虫剂。29 尽管如此，在美国还在批准新的转基因Bt玉米与大豆，将很快开始种植。



A threat to human health

威胁人类健康



GM ingredients are everywhere in our food chain. It is estimated that 70% of processed foods consumed in the US have been produced using GM ingredients. If products from animals fed GM feed are included, the percentage is significantly higher.

我们的食品链中处处发现转基因成分。预计美国70%的加工食品使用了转基因成分。如果将喂养转基因饲料的动物（肉蛋奶）加工食品包括在内，含转基因成分的比例显著更高。



Research shows that Roundup Ready crops contain many times more glyphosate, and its toxic breakdown product AMPA, than normal crops.30

研究表明抗草甘膦转基因作物含有的草甘膦及其毒性代谢物AMPA，比普通农作物多许多倍。30



Traces of glyphosate have been found in the breastmilk and urine of American mothers, as well as in their drinking water.31 The levels in breastmilk were worryingly high – around 1,600 times higher than what is allowable in European drinking water. Passed on to babies through breastmilk, or the water used to make formula, this could represent an unacceptable risk to infant health since glyphosate is a suspected hormone disrupter.32 Recent studies suggest that this herbicide is also toxic to sperm.33

在美国母亲母乳与尿样，以及她们的饮水中，发现微量草甘膦。31 母乳中的草甘膦水平令人恐惧更高 -- 比欧盟饮水允许的草甘膦残留水平高1,600倍！通过母乳，或者通过配方乳用的水平，喂给婴儿，在草甘膦发现是令人质疑内分泌干扰剂情况下，对婴儿健康代表不可接受风险。32 最近的研究提议草甘膦对精子也造成毒性。33



Likewise, traces of the Bt toxin have been found in the blood of mothers and their babies.34

同样，在母亲及其孩子血样内页发现了微量Bt毒素。34



GM foods were not subjected to human trials before being released into the food chain and the health impacts of having these substances circulating and accumulating in our bodies are not being studied by any government agency, nor by the companies that produce them.

将转基因食品释放到食物链前，对转基因食品不进行人类试验，任何政府机构，或者生产它们的公司，从来没有研究过这些物质在人体中循环和蓄积的健康影响。



Studies of animals fed GM foods and/or glyphosate, however, show worrying trends including damage to vital organs like the liver and kidneys, damage to gut tissues and gut flora, immune system disruption, reproductive abnormalities, and even tumors.35

喂养转基因食品和/或草甘膦给动物的研究显示令人担心的趋势，包括损伤肝肾等关键器官、损伤肠道组织与肠道微生物、免疫系统干扰、生殖异常，以及肿瘤。35



These scientific studies point to potentially serious human health problems that could not have been anticipated when our country first embraced GMOs, and yet they continue to be ignored by those who should be protecting us. Instead our regulators rely on outdated studies and other information funded and supplied by biotech companies that, not surprisingly, dismiss all health concerns.

这些科学性研究揭示美国开始最初拥抱转基因时未曾预料的一系列潜在的严重人类健康问题，而且那些原本应当保护我们的机构与人士至今继续忽略这些问题。我们的监管机构依赖受到生物技术公司资助提供的过期研究与其他信息，它们毫不奇怪忽略所有的健康担心。



A denial of science

对科学的否定



This spin of corporate science stands in stark contrast to the findings of independent scientists. In fact, in 2013, nearly 300 independent scientists from around the world issued a public warning that there was no scientific consensus about the safety of eating genetically modified food, and that the risks, as demonstrated in independent research, gave “serious cause for concern.”36

It’s not easy for independent scientists like these to speak out. Those who do have faced obstacles in publishing their results, been systematically vilified by pro-GMO scientists, been denied research funding, and in some cases have had their jobs and careers threatened.37

这旋转的企业科学独立科学家研究的结果形成鲜明对比。事实上，世界各地近300位独立科学家发出公开警告:对食用转基因食品的安全性没有达成科学共识，因为独立研究揭示的风险使其成为“令人担心的严重原因”。36像他们这样的独立科学家挺身而出讲话很不容易。发表他们研究结果时遇到障碍的独立科学家，遭到挺转基因学者的系统诋毁，研究经费遭到拒绝



Control of the food supply

控制食品供应



Through our experience we have come to understand that the genetic engineering of food has never really been about public good, or feeding the hungry, or supporting our farmers. Nor is it about consumer choice. Instead it is about private, corporate control of the food system.

通过我们的经验，我们已经理解到转基因食品从来就与对公众有益，或者解决饥饿问题，或者支持美国的农民没有关系。也与消费者选择无关。与此相反，转基因食品旨在由私人公司控制食品系统。



This control extends into areas of life that deeply affect our day-to-day well-being, including food security, science, and democracy. It undermines the development of genuinely sustainable, environmentally friendly agriculture and prevents the creation of a transparent, healthy food supply for all.

这种控制延伸进入严重影响我们我们的日常健康的生命领域，包括食物安全、食物科学与食物民主。它破坏真正的可持续发展与环境友好的农业，阻止为所有人创造透明的健康的食品供应。



Today in the US, from seed to plate, the production, distribution, marketing, safety testing, and consumption of food is controlled by a handful of companies, many of which have commercial interests in genetic engineering technology. They create the problems, and then sell us the so-called solutions. This is a closed cycle of profit generation that is unequalled in any other type of commerce.

今天在美国，从种子到餐盘，食品的生产、生产、流通、销售、安全测试与消费，受到少数公司的控制，其中许多有转基因技术商业利益关系。他们制造了问题，然后将称之为解决方案的东西卖给我们。这是任何其他类型商业无法比拟的一个封闭利润循环。



We all need to eat, which is why every citizen should strive to understand these issues.

我们都需要吃，这就是为什么每一位公民应该努力理解这些问题。



Time to speak out

已经到了必须公开说话的时候了



Americans are reaping the detrimental impacts of this risky and unproven agricultural technology. EU countries should take note: there are no benefits from GM crops great enough to offset these impacts. Officials who continue to ignore this fact are guilty of a gross dereliction of duty.

美国人正在收获这种充满风险与未经证实安全性的农业技术有害影响。欧盟的国家应当注意:转基因作物没有足以抵消这些有害影响的好处。继续忽视这个事实的官员犯玩忽职守罪。



We, the undersigned, are sharing our experience and what we have learned with you so that you don’t make our mistakes.

我们，联署签名这封《公开信》的美国人，与你们分享我们学到的经验，以便你们不要再重复我们的错误。



We strongly urge you to resist the approval of genetically modified crops, to refuse to plant those crops that have been approved, to reject the import and/or sale of GM-containing animal feeds and foods intended for human consumption, and to speak out against the corporate influence over politics, regulation and science.

我们强烈催促你们抵抗对转基因作物的批准，拒绝种植已经获得批准的农作物、拒绝进口和/或销售转基因污染的动物饲料与企图给人食用的转基因食品，而且挺身而出反对公司影响政治、监管与科学。



If the UK and the rest of Europe becomes the new market for genetically modified crops and food our own efforts to label and regulate GMOs will be all the more difficult, if not impossible. If our efforts fail, your attempts to keep GMOs out of Europe will also fail.

如果英国与欧洲其他国家成为转基因作物与转基因食品新的市场，我们在美国要求转基因食品标识与转基因监管的努力将更加困难，一直不可能。如果我们的努力遭到失败，你们力图阻止转基因不进入欧洲的努力也将失败。



If we work together, however, we can revitalize our global food system, ensuring healthy soil, healthy fields, healthy food and healthy people.

如果我们共同合作，我们就有可能振兴我们全球的粮食系统，确保健康的土壤、健康的农田、健康的食物与健康的人民。



References

参考文献：

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4bb17e9d0102v5e0.html

http://www.theletterfromamerica.org/the-letter/



56,910,036 American signatures

美国56,910,036联署者：

http://www.theletterfromamerica.org/signatories/