Genetic engineering enables scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes in a way that does not occurnaturally. These genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can spread through nature and interbreed with natural organisms, thereby contaminating non 'GE' environments and future generations in an unforeseeable and uncontrollable way. Their release is 'genetic pollution' and is a major threat because GMOs cannot be recalled once released into the environment. Because of commercial interests, the public is being denied theright to know about GE ingredients in the food chain, and therefore losing the right to avoid them despite the presence of labelling laws in certain countries. Biological diversity must be protected and respected as the global heritage of humankind, and one of our world's fundamental keys to survival. Governments are attempting to address the threat of GE with international regulations such as the Biosafety Protocol.
We believe:
- GMOs should not be released into the environment since there is not an adequate scientific understanding of their impact on the environment and human health.
- We advocate immediate interim measures such as labelling of GE ingredients, and the segregation of genetically engineered crops and seeds from conventional ones.
- We also oppose all patents on plants, animals and humans, as well as patents on their genes. Life is not an industrial commodity. When we force life forms and our world's food supply to conform to human economic models rather than their natural ones, we do so at our own peril.
Find out more:
- Go to the Food section to find out about: labelling legislation for GE products inyour country, how GE crops are used in animal feed and the corporate giants who are trying to control what you eat.
- Go to the Feeding the world - facts versus fiction section: to find out the truth about world hunger and why GE crops will not help.
- Go to the GE agriculture and genetic pollution section to find out about: the dangers of GE agriculture, which crops are currently being developed, genetic pollution and the dangers of patenting life.
- Go to the Biosafety Protocol section to find out about this important legislation that regulates the transboundary movements of GE and who is for and against it.
- Go to the Failings of GE section to find out about how the biotech industry is basing its products on crude and old-fashioned science.
Say NO TO Genetic Engineering.
SAY NO to Patent in Life Forms.
Say NO to GM Crops and GM Foods.
Declare South Asia, A GM Free Zone.
Live Long Food Sovereignty.
Live Long Peasants' Unity.
2 comments:
"Genetic engineering enables scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes in a way that does not occurnaturally." ------ So does the process of selective breeding. Humans have been manipulating natural selection for thousands of years. Something to think about next time you eat an "organic" tomato -- that tomato is the result of hundreds of years of cross-breeding plant species. The end result is exactly what transgenic engineering accomplishes. The anti-GMO hysteria needs to stop, so that objective, scientific research can be conducted on GMOs. Yes, I totally get the point about round-up ready corn. But, it's disingenious to claim that some of the GMOs contemporary molecular breeding is seeking to create have anything to do with that. There's a lot of research going on that will help both the developing world and the environment (drought tolerant rice, for example.
Dear Anonymous,
Green Greetings.
Thank you very much for your comment. At least I must dare to salute your caurage to comment like 'anti-GMO hysteria', though it sounds rude and nonesense at the same time. Anyway.
Read my new Post, you will get what you need to know. And we shall discuss more.
Hoping for your regular comments.
Nahendra Khadka,
Chairperson,
Youth Peasants' Federation, Nepal
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