Genetic
Engineering
This
page began as a hack of a
piece by Steve Edwards, Documentary-maker and Editor.
The moratorium (suspension) of
the commercial release of G.E. is set to lift
automatically on October 29, 2003. The purpose of this G.E. free march
is
to send an emphatic message to the government that a clear majority of
New
Zealanders demand a continuation of the suspension on the release of
genetically
engineered (G.E.) organisms and material derived from G.E. into the
food
and environment. Many GE free groups are calling for a five-year
extension
of the G.E. moratorium.
This would to allow time for mature, reasoned
discussion
in which people across society with differing views (including
scientists)
can meet in the same rooms, hear each other and consider the
ramifications
of and alternatives to this powerful technology. A clear majority of
New
Zealanders also see the benefits to New Zealand economically if we
protect
our “100% Pure NZ” brand and develop our organic agricultural markets.
One
of the long-term benefits of New Zealanders eating organic food would
be
a reduction in public health expenditure as the populations’ health
improved
from a less toxic diet and environment.
The science of genetic
engineering (G.E.) biotechnology is proceeding under
false assumptions about how genes interact within organisms and between
organisms
in the open environment. A senior scientist at the Centre for the
Biology
of Natural Systems at Queens College, City University of New York, Dr.
Barry
Commoner, states, “The fact that one gene can give rise to multiple
proteins
also destroys the theoretical foundation of a multibillion-dollar
industry,
the genetic engineering of food crops. In genetic engineering, it is
assumed,
without adequate experimental proof, that a bacterial gene for an
insecticidal
protein, for example, transferred to a corn plant, will produce
precisely
that protein and nothing else. Yet in that alien genetic environment,
alternative
splicing of the bacterial gene might give rise to multiple variants of
the
intended protein – or even to proteins bearing little structural
relationship
to the original one, with unpredictable effects on ecosystems!
and human health.”
(Source: “Unravelling the DNA
Myth: The Spurious Foundation of Genetic Engineering”,
Dr Barry Commoner, Harper’s Magazine/February 2002)
This being the case, the
enterprise of genetic engineering biotechnology
for the production of: plants; animals, humans; animal-human hybrids
and
microbial life forms for food, fibre, fuel, medical, and life-style
products
- is hazardous.
Genetic engineering
biotechnology also advances the commodification of Nature
by further displacing the natural processes of re-creation with the
bio-industrial
processes of mass production. With genetically engineered life forms
will
come the in-built obsolescence of the industrial age that has caused so
much
resource depletion, environmental pollution and species loss.
Imagine GE life forms that are
more dependent on bio-industrial processes
to multiply, grow and produce fruit, meat or fibre than is currently
the
case. Imagine plants that are designed to be chemically dependent on
growth
hormones to grow roots, leaves or fruit. What would happen in a
bio-industrial
future to GE life forms if there were a financial collapse of a huge
biotech
corporation? What if these life forms were a major source of food? How
sustainable
is it to engineer life forms to be dependent on petro-chemical based
inputs,
highly mechanised systems and mass transportation (dependent on oil)
when
everyone knows that the world’s oil reserves are running out?
The questions above were not
answered by the Royal Commission on Genetic
Modification, although I did raise some of them in my submission.
Unfortunately,
like many others, I was not granted ”special interest” status (a clause
in
a law dating back to 1906), and therefore we were not allowed to speak
before
the Royal Commission on GM. The Royal Commission on GM cost New Zealand
taxpayers
$6 million dollars. It was advertised, minimally, in public notices on
how
to particpate.
Who really is in control? Or,
rather, who thinks they are in control? An
indication of how to find that answer is to follow the money. As Robert
T.
Fraley, Co-President of Monsanto's agricultural sector stated, “This is
not
just a consolidation of seed companies; it's really a consolidation of
the
entire food chain.” (Source: “Genetic Engineering – Food and
Environment”,
Luke Anderson, Scribe Publications)
The isolation of genes amounts
to the legal status of discovery. Patents
were designed to protect the intellectual property rights over
inventions
and not of discoveries for conquest. Therefore, the granting of patents
on
genes, gene sequences and even whole body parts amounts to a
colonisation
of Nature at the genetic level.
The granting of patents for life
forms by the ‘life science’ industry threatens
the biodiversity of Earth and therefore the sustainability for the
human
population, since commerce is dependent on restricting the supply of
resources
in order to maximise profit. By making scarce Nature’s creations and
breeds
of plants and animals that countless peoples have cultured for
millennia
- through the legal highjack of life patents and their endorsement in
possible
‘free trade’ agreements - the freedom for humanity to progress outside
of
a bio-industrial system could be forgone.
“In the 20th century, chemical
companies made most of their products with
non-living systems. In the next century, we will make many of them with
living
systems.”
-Jack Krol, Board Chairman of
DuPont (Source: Genetic Engineering - Food
and Environment; Luke Anderson, Scribe Publications, 2000)
The potential legal claims
against the New Zealand government by groups of
people in the future for allowing the commercialisation and
misappropriation
of genetic material (through gene patents and by compliantly endorsing
a
life patent market driven by trans-national corporations, foreign
governments
and universities) could cost the tax-payers billions.
Some genetic engineers believe
that a future genetocracy is all but inevitable.
In “Remaking Eden – How Cloning and Beyond Will Change the Human
Family”,
a molecular biologist, Dr Lee Silver, of Princeton University writes
about
a not- too-distant future made of Gen Rich and Naturals. According to
Silver,
over time, society will segregate by a genetic distance into the Gen
Rich
who control the economy, the media, and the knowledge industry, and the
Naturals,
who work as low paid service providers or as labourers. Silver
envisages
the Gen Rich class and the natural class will become the Gen Rich
humans
and the natural humans – entirely separate species with no ability to
cross-breed
and with as much romantic interest in each other as a current human
would
have for a chimpanzee.
It is crucial that our society
discuss all the issues surrounding the genetic
engineering biotechnology, including eugenics (human genetic
engineering)
because the technology is advancing without the full consent,
understanding
and permission of the people. If humans are to radically change the
relationship
our species has with Nature, then I contend that everyone is required
to
be fully informed, able to sepak freely and not be prevented from
access
to the media, decision-makers and impeded by financial constraints to
legal
processes. Taxpayers money ought to be made available to people to
further
the discussion, independent, transparent research of GE and
alternatives,
and to legally challenge the advent of life patents. In my view these
processes
ought not to have an arbitrary time limit on it.
By challenging the patents on
life we have the chance to remove the commercial
impetus behind genetic engineering biotechnology. Then the world could
get
back on track to carry out honest science uncontaminated by the profit
motive
and the close-mindedness that greed breeds.
This contest for whether or not
humans choose to progress together, rather
than further the historical record of divisiveness, will not be over
come
the end of October, 2003. There is too much at stake. Our “politicians”
need
to be told that their job is to foster vital, mature participation and
coordinate
human activity as responsible leaders. They are not the bosses. We need
to
make it clear to the political people that decision-making in society
is
better when it occurs in a circular fashion. Any other way is a fascist
process.
Unless the agents of local and central government are pressured to
uphold
our human rights and lefts to have our views expressed, we the people
can
forget that it is us who have the power to decide on how to proceed. So
join
your fellow human beings to protect Nature's right to be here free of
patents
on life!!!
(P.S. It’s not over once the GE
moratorium lifts. Remember that the peace
movement has been going for thousands of years and people still haven’t
given
up hope that we can get governments to do the right thing by being
mature.)
Also some websites:
www.thebigmarch.net
www.psrg.org.nz
www.i-sis.org (Institute of
Science in Society)
http://online.sfsu.edu/%7Erone/GEessays/gedanger.htm
www.theecologist.org
www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/bbing/s123597.htm
www.fao.org/unfao/bodies/COAG/COAG15/X0074E.htm
www.fao.org/unfao/bodies/COAG/COAG15/X0076e.htm
www.organicnz.pl.net
www.gefree.net.nz
www.foe.co.uk
www.greenpeace.org.nz
www.news.gefree.org.nz
www.bio-integrity.org
www.newscientist.com “Swallow
This”, Gail Vines & “Genetic Contamination”
(Special Report) , Fred Pearce, 15 June, 2002 No. 2347
www.nyas.org “Food Fight”,
Belinda Martinaeu, Spring 2001 Vol. 41/Number 2
www.harpers.com “Unravelling the
DNA Myth”, Barry Commoner, February 2002
(obtain list of references from
article by sending a request to cbns@cbns.qc.edu)
www.organicconsumers.org
www.truefoodnow.org
www.NaturalLaw.org.nz
and:
www.bio.org (Biotechnology
Industry Organisation) international group of
biotech industry corporations, government agencies and academic
institutions
advancing the enterprise of genetic engineering biotechnology)
Recommended Reading:
“Genetic Engineering - Dream or
Nightmare”, Mae-Wan Ho; Gateway; ISBN 0-7171-2980-2 www.i-sis.org
“The Biotech Century”, Jeremy
Rifkin, Phoenix, ISBN 0-75380-848-X
“Genetic Engineering – Food and
Environment”, Luke Anderson, Scribe Publications
“Genetically Engineered Foods –
Are they say? You decide”, Laura Ticciati & Robin Ticciati, PhD.
“Seeds of Distrust” - The Story
of a GE Cover-Up, Nicky Hager, Craig Potton Publishing, ISBN
0-908802-927
“How to Grow More Vegetables”*,
John Jeavons, Ten Speed Press, ISBN 0-89815-767-6
www.tenspeed.com *”than
you ever thought possible on less land than you can imagine”
“Eating Safely in a Toxic
World”, Sue Kedgley, Penguin Books, ISBN 0-14-027995-4
(What Really is the Food We Eat)
Screw you guys I'm going home...
Page Design:
Danyl Strype
strypey(NO
SPAM)_at_indymedia.org
Created:
Last Updated: Monday 11 October,
2004