WEEKLY WATCH number 234
from Claire Robinson, WEEKLY WATCH editor
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Dear all:
When GM Watch was first launched nearly a decade ago, it was as part of the global campaign of opposition to the imposition of GM crops and food. But as that battle continues to rage we've come to realise that the biotech industry and its supporters have a far bigger agenda than just radically transforming the molecular basis of the world's food supply.
The rows exploding over biofuels and pharma plants bear witness to this, but so too does the rush to introduce food from cloned and genetically engineered animals, not to mention synthetic biology, nano-biotech and other extreme technologies the industry's promoting. And we mustn't forget that many GM proponents also support the cloning and 'genetic enhancement' of human beings.
Like it or not, we're part of a multifaceted battle for the future, and that's why we're delighted to be able to include in this week's Weekly Watch a new section - GENETIC CROSSROADS - from the Center for Genetics and Society. It has summaries of news and comment pieces, linking to the CGS website and to their blog - Biopolitical Times, that sound the alert on many of the critical choices over the governance of these technologies that we all need to face.
Based in Oakland, California, CGS bring not only an unmatched dedication, intelligence and articulacy to their work, but a willingness to reach out to diverse groups in society in order to share and encourage recognition of the need:
- for caution in the face of powerful new technologies
- for assessment of the foreseeable consequences of new technologies in advance of their development and use
- for responsible social governance of technological innovation
- for governments to regulate markets in order to ensure public health and well-being
- for the burden of demonstrating the safety of new technologies to lie with their advocates and beneficiaries
- for new technologies to be assessed against the principles of social justice, the common good, and the public interest
- and for a reduction in corporate control over public research and regulation
Because these issues are of such critical importance to the future of not just the planet but our own humanity, we hope GENETIC CROSSROADS will become a regular part of Weekly Watch.
Claire [email protected]
www.gmwatch.org / www.lobbywatch.org
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CONTENTS
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AUSTRALASIA
EUROPE
ASIA
THE AMERICAS
LOBBYWATCH
QUOTES
NEW BOOK
GENETIC CROSSROADS
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AUSTRALASIA
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+ 250 MAJOR COMPANIES BACK GM CROP BAN
250 major food companies are supporting the continuation of the GM moratoria by Australian states. The companies include Goodman Fielder, the biggest user of canola oil in Australia, and the Tatiara Meat Company (TMC), the biggest producer and exporter of Australian lamb. TMC's managing director, Eckard Huebl, says there is a risk it will lose a premium now being paid for Australian lamb.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8473
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8481
+ VICTORIA GOVT TOLD TO SAY NO TO GM CROPS
Campaigners have delivered 15,000 signatures to the Victorian government asking for the GM moratorium to continue.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8473
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EUROPE
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+ THREE MILLION ITALIANS SIGN ANTI-GM PETITION
More than three million Italians have signed a petition against GMOs. The petition was organised by the Italy/Europe GMO-Free coalition, bringing together 32 organisations of farmers, consumers and environmentalists.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8480
+ IRELAND: FOOD MINISTER URGES COLLEAGUES TO DECLARE GM-FREE ZONES
At a meeting of Green Party councillors in Tipperary, the minister of state for food and horticulture, Trevor Sargent, urged his party colleagues to declare their local authorities GM-free zones.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8492
Irish Senators oppose GM farming:
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8492
+ MILK, CHEESE, AND PORK ARE BEING INVADED BY GM
Most of our milk, cheese, yoghurt and pork comes from animals raised on GM food, the Soil Association says. A spokesman said: 'This GM stealth invasion of the UK food chain is denying consumers their right to make fully- informed choices.' It is thought more than 70 per cent of dairy cattle and pigs are given GM feed at some point.
According to the Soil Association, four studies by different scientific teams have detected GM DNA in milk and pig and sheep tissues from GM-fed animals (Sharma et al, 2006; Agodi et al, 2006, Mazza et al, 2005; reports by Ralf Einspanier, 20 October and 20 December 2000).
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8491
FOR COPIES OF THE REPORT AND HOW TO *TAKE ACTION* http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8490
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ASIA
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+ STOP GM RICE TRIALS IN INDIA
India is at a critical juncture. Food regulatory authorities there have approv
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