Poll
on Genetic Engineering and Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome
Conducted
Online May 17-30, 2004
This poll is not intended to be a scientific poll and is not presented
as such.
Thirty-three (33) persons with Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome
(EMS) responded by the deadline to the following question regarding genetic engineering
(modification) and EMS:
Regarding EMS and Genetic Engineering (Modification):
Part A:
How
much do you think genetic engineering was involved in causing EMS? Choose the answer
that best describes your belief.
1. I believe GE (genetic engineering)
was the cause of EMS.....14 persons or 42% of 33 respondents
2. I believe
GE contributed to causing EMS but may not have been the only cause..... 13 persons
or 39% of respondents
3. I believe GE had little or nothing to do with causing
EMS..... 2 persons or 6% of respondents
4. No opinion..... 2 persons
or 6% of respondents
And 2 persons or 6% of respondents did not choose any
answer from the choices but wrote something, anyhow, either under Part B or before
Part A. I will include the comments of the person who wrote after Part
B; however, the person who wrote before Part A merely expressed they had "no
idea."
Two (2) persons responded late to the Poll, so their replies
were not included in this sampling. I regret when this happens, but decided against
accepting late replies because I'd already begun writing this little report.
Part B:
Answer only
if you think GE did not cause EMS or was not the only cause of EMS.
What thing
or things do you think likely caused EMS? List them.
The answers people
wrote are presented anonymously here. Not every person who could have written
thoughts did so, and some who didn't have to, wrote their thoughts, anyhow;
that is, some people who chose Answer 2 didn't offer any contributing causes of EMS
other than GE, and a few who chose Answer 1 wrote opinions. And a few who chose "No
Opinion" or didn't choose any answer, nevertheless, wrote opinions.
Responses
not in the order received:
Respondent 1
1. Patient genetic predisposition
or susceptibility
2. Environmental factors contributing to susceptiblity
3.
Previously compromised immune system
Respondent 2
1. Contamination in tryptophan
2.
Tryptophan itself
3. I suspect GE was involved. One big reason I believe this
is that some people in a French study had EMS-like symptoms after receiving a genetically
engineered vaccine (Hepatitis B vaccines have been genetically engineered since the
late 1980s).
4. I believe I was set up for EMS by other toxins that I was exposed
to before the big attack of EMS. The other toxins (including the artificial hormone
DES) have most likely pre-disposed me to the EMS attack.
Respondent 3
I
think genetic engineering only made it easier for the company to make the "broth"
from which they extracted LT thicker. I think the decrease in filtering combined
with the thicker broth is the primary cause, since it resulted in more contaminants
in the final product. The other cause, which is related, is company greed.
Respondent
4
Changing manufacturing technique and putting it on the market without testing.
Greed.
Respondent 5
1. Inability to test and recognize impurities related
to the manufacturing process of this specific GE bacteria.
2. Cutting corners
in process [of] filtering, therefore allowing the impurities to contaminate the batches
of L-tryptophan.
3. A total disregard for how people ingesting these contaminants
might respond.
4. Failure to recognize that people ingesting their products were
becoming sick.
Respondent 6
I believe GE was the main cause of EMS but
also think there may have been other contributing factors hidden as well. Both in
production as well as how individual genetic makeup/health situations may have caused
the many different degrees in each person. Such as some worse and some milder cases.
Respondent
7
An individual person's genes or body chemistry
Respondent 8
The removal
of filters which allow certain impurities to pass and insufficient testing on the
GE batches. A general oversight breakdown.
Respondent 9
Genetic predisposition
had to figure in somehow. Millions of people took the same LT we did and didn't get
sick.
Respondent 10
Shortcut in filtering procedures by SDKK.
Respondent
11
1. There may have simply been contamination.
2. I personally believe this
was deliberate and that we were being used like rats.
Respondent 12
1.
Improper/impure method of filtration process that was cut back to save money/time.
I believe this has been cited many times that the charcoal or other purification
system was cut back.
2. Also, perhaps, rushed employees whose employer(s) wanted
faster production no matter how. These are my thoughts. Thank you.
Respondent
13
Poor manufacturing procedures.
Respondent 14
I believe genetic engineering
of LT caused EMS. The mutation of the product was toxic to humans. This I will always
believe, else, why was SD willing to settle with the patients with EMS? I also believe
that there was more to the story than the public was allowed to know.
Respondent
15
I do not believe GE was the cause/contributed to EMS, per se. I believe we
still would have contracted EMS due to the filtration, or lack thereof, process in,
perhaps, a much milder form. As we know, there were documented cases of EMS before
the new strain of the bacterium, which was genetically engineered in December 1988,
was introduced. Cases prior to that time have been limited to other batches and other
sources. This is why the FDA continues to keep LT off the market.
Respondent
16
An unsolicited answer: I have read a little re GE, and it appears very complex,
and at least controversial. This leaves me, as a non-specialist, utterly at a loss
to have an informed opinion, since it seems that any worthwhile opinion would come
from (a) specialists, or (b) those who have been somewhat informed (some would say
"propagandized") by their information, which, - it seems to a layperson
- is still very much in question. If this is not so, we should have been informed
so. The fact that my regular life has been ruined by some poison does not at all
motivate me to want to endorse or encourage boundary science with its monetary motivation.
Clearer information would, of course, change my opinion.
Respondent 17
I
know that the drug manufacturer (Showa Denko) used a different method of engineering
and eliminated some of the purification steps. To add to this they never tested it.
I bought the amino acid supplement several months after the FDA recall.
