"White Earth has become the first reservation in the U.S. to ban the introduction or growth of genetically-modified wild rice seeds and some White Earth Band members want the Legislature to ban genetically modified wild rice statewide." (item 1)

"The fear-mongering would be hilarious, if the hate-GM campaign didn't have such tragic consequences" (item 3)

All items via Agnet and shortened. Agent bulletins
archived at http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca/agnet-archives.htm
1.White Earth members seek ban on genetically modified wild rice
2.Germany: Green politician stopped GM studies
3.CORE's "Facts v. fears on biotechnology"

For more on CORE: http://www.lobbywatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=174
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1.White Earth members seek ban on genetically modified wild rice
March 8, 2005
News Minnesota
Tom Robertson

Bemidji, Minn. - The lakes and rivers on the White Earth Indian Reservation in northwest Minnesota are, according to this story, an ideal habitat for wild rice, but the tribe is worried that resource could be threatened by the science of genetic engineering.

The story says that White Earth has become the first reservation in the U.S. to ban the introduction or growth of genetically-modified wild rice seeds and some White Earth Band members want the Legislature to ban genetically modified wild rice statewide.

The story says that for the Ojibwe people, wild rice is more than just a plant. Ancient prophecies lured the Ojibwe from their east coast origins to the Midwest, to a place where wild rice was plentiful. Mike Swan, White Earth's director of natural resources, was cited as saying that wild rice is considered a sacred gift from the Creator, adding, "We give offerings for it. We give thanks when we go out and get some food for our families. We give thanks to... the Great Spirit, for allowing us this. And in our own history, Ojibwe history, we came to this area because of this plant, food that grows on water, which is wild rice."

Tribal members are worried the wild rice that has sustained them for centuries could fall victim to genetic pollution. Winona LaDuke, founding director of the White Earth Land Recovery Project which markets White Earth's wild rice internationally, was cited as saying she is promoting a statewide ban on genetically modified wild rice and has teamed up with Slow Food International, an organization that promotes the biodiversity and cultural identity of foods worldwide, adding, "We believe it should be protected. We believe it shouldn't be genetically modified. And we're going to make a stand. And we believe the state of Minnesota should protect it as well, because it's a valuable and critical part of our state history and culture."
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2.Germany: Green politician stopped GM studies
March 8, 2005
The Scientist
Grit Kienzlen
http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20050308/01

Renate Künast, German minister for Agriculture and Consumer Protection, is, according to this story, facing allegations of exerting undue political influence on science this week after it emerged that she instructed government researchers to cancel at least two projects into genetically modified crops.

The story explains that Künast is a member of the Green Party, which forms a coalition government with Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's Social Democrats, and the party strongly opposes agro-biotechnology, arguing that it is unsafe and that risks cannot be properly assessed.
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3.Facts v. fears on biotechnology
March 8, 2005
CNSNews.com
Paul Driessen and Cyril Boynes

The Congress of Racial Equality's recent conference, video and commentary on agricultural biotechnology presented personal testimonials from African farmers whose lives have been improved by genetically modified (GM) crops, impressive data on progress, and a message of hope for poor, malnourished people in developing countries. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.

But not from all quarters. Predictably, anti-GM zealots continue to offer a steady stream of unsupported and unsupportable invective. To hear them tell it, biotechnology is a "scourge" that will do nothing to save lives or reduce poverty and malnutrition. "Evil multinationals" like Monsanto are determined to impose "a new form of slavery" that will "displace" poor people from their lands.

The fear-mongering would be hilarious, if the hate-GM campaign didn't have such tragic consequences for a world where 800 million people are chronically malnourished, and 3 billion struggle to survive on less than $700 a year. A healthy dose of facts is in order. GM crops are created with great care in laboratories, using techniques that are far more precise than anything previously. They are tested repeatedly and are regulated by the EPA, FDA, USDA and other agencies.

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