Genetic Engineering GE (Genetic Engineering) is an experimental process sometimes called GM (Genetic Modification). It changes the genes (DNA codes) that give each plant or animal its own particular features. Genes can be copied from one species into another e.g. animal genes into plants. This is not the same as traditional breeding closely related species because GE crosses the barrier between species. How is it done? The way genes work is not well understood, but scientists can copy and move the DNA for features in different forms of life. Disabled viruses help 'infect' the new organism with the DNA. Genes can also be coated onto metal balls and fired into cells. What GE is already happening? There has been a rush to profit from medicines and GE products and since the 1990's processed foods containing GE ingredients such as soy, canola and potatoes have been imported. Overseas GE hormones are used in dairy farming and Fonterra (the NZ Dairy Board) support GE research to change milk, cattle and grasses. Other planned uses include GE coffee, rice, wheat and trees. There have been many trials in New Zealand but growers say local vegetables and fruit are still 'GE-Free'. Medical uses of GE include making insulin , and "gene therapy" experiments. GE is also used to produce chemicals for industry. Won't GE crops use less chemicals? Because GE crops survive spraying with weed-killer they can absorb even more chemical residue into our food. GE has created 'super-weeds' which need even more sprays. Some "Bt" crops produce a chemical that kills pest insects, but can harm other important insects like bees. This Bt can contaminate soil and speed resistance to sprays developing in insects. Isn't there a difference between food and medicine? The Royal Commission said most people do not want GE food but accept some ethical medicine made inside labs. People can choose to take medicine that is
clinically tested, and used under doctors' supervision. Food is eaten by everyone, and is grown in the open.
Will people have a choice? Choice is already being denied as GE food ingredients and oils are sold without being labelled. Because contamination cannot be stopped, people will be forced to accept up to1% GE in food. Even "organic" food will have to allow GE. There will be no choice. Is GE food tested? There is no testing of GE foods by authorities in New Zealand or Australia. GE Foods are judged for potential risks and enter the market when approved as safe. The U.S. FDA ignored their own scientists' warnings to test GE food, and approved it anyway. Is GE food safe? Scientists are divided, as the risks are so complex. GE disrupts the normal workings of a cell or organism in its environment. There are no studies of long-term effects. Insurance companies have refused cover. The British Medical Association warns the use of anti-biotic resistance genes in GE food could create more disease. In the US there are unexplained reports of increased allergies from soy and of viral food-borne illnesses. Other disputed cases include the death of over 30 people, and injury of thousands by a problem in GE Ltryptophan Why risk more GE field trials? The government says new GE field trials will be safe, and are continuing despite the public's call for research to be kept in labs. Most field trials only check if the GE organism grows as expected, but they do not test for contamination into soil and water, or effects of eating GE foods. Why try to stop "Progress"? Nobody wants to stop progress that serves people, society, and sustains the environment. GE is a powerful technology that lacks testing and control. There are many other areas where progress can be made. GE uses outside the lab can threaten the balance of all aspects of Life.
Is GE safe for use in forestry? GE trees risk contamination, and disruption of the environment. They threaten the benefits of sustainable forestry approved by the Forest Stewardship Council. Other experiments to 'improve' the environment such using GE to kill possums also expose natural systems to complex risks. Will Insurance cover the risk? No, because Insurance companies presently refuse to cover full liability for GE damage. But he government is allowing GE experiments anyway. Until laws are changed the taxpayer is carrying the risk for privateindustry. Won't GE crops help feed the poor? Developing countries are being forced to take GE crops against the wishes of their farmers and people. Biotech companies are patenting and controlling the seed supply. Projects such as GE "Vitamin A" rice were designed to help the poor but ignored local plants as a cheaper sources of vitamins, and required people to eat many kilos of the rice each day to have an effect. Research shows that growing a mix of crops increases yields and is a sustainable way for people to feed themselves into the future, without the risks of GE. What is the 'Terminator' gene? Companies have developed 'Terminator" genes to protect their patents by making plants produce barren seeds so farmers cannot save them. Other controlsystems force farmers to buy a chemical from the company and spray it on before the seed will become active. The Royal Commission approved Terminator in NZ to slow gene-spread, but it is widely seen as unethical. International rules allowing patents on life are being challenged at the WTO and in many countries because they deny basic rights. What are 'nutriceuticals'? Industry want to sell medicine-foods, sometimes called 'Nutriceuticals' which will make food into medicine. Plans include producing 'edible vaccines' in GE bananas and other foods. Unless banned as a threat to
public health, these products must be treated as medicines with similar tests and controls.
What you can do
Vote GE Free in the election 27th July! Write or talk to your candidates. Ask if candidates support a policy to go GE-Free. Write to Helen Clark Ask her to support a 5 year moratorium on GE releases,at (Freepost) Parliament Buildings, Wellington. Register where you live as a GE-free zone at www.gefreeregister.org.nz or Ph. 09 438 8649 Declare your area a GE-Free zone. Work with the community board or council. The coalition can help. Donate $20 to your local GE Free group, Akl GEFree coalition, Madge or Greenpeace. Join with us and help with events, or by putting up posters and keeping people in touch. Ask bakeries, cafes and take-aways if they use GE ingredients. From 7th December, they must tell you. Display a car sticker or a GE-Free notice on your letterbox, at school or work or on a t-shirt. Phone talkback radio and write to local papers with your views on GE and demand a referendum. Inform your friends and family, and advise children who pro GE-food companies may start to target. Check food labels for GE content Get a Greenpeace food guide: www.greenpeace.org.nz . 09 630 6317 Call 0800 numbers and ask them to supply GEFree food, eg : Nestles ( Nescafe/ Milo/ Maggi/ Allens): 0800 830 840; Foodtown (09 275 2788); Pams (0800 245 114) Grow your own vegetables and fruit with heirloom seeds or seeds from friends that is guaranteed GEFree. Choose organic food when you can. Submit comments on food and GE trials by putting your name on the mailing list for new applications (ERMA, (trials) PO box 131 Wellington, Ph. 04 473 8426), (ANZFA, (Food) PO box 10559, Wellington, Ph. 04 473 9942). Visit different websites for a range of views
www.gefree.org.nz / www.i-sis.org / www.soilhealth.org.nz / www.christian-aid.uk/reports/suicide www.psrg.org.nz /www.ermanz.govt.nz/
Can science help develop a GE-Free NZ? Science is vital to support our clean-green image and help us develop sustainably. But there is a huge amount of funding going to GE instead of to organic agriculture, and to develop 'clean' technology. Ethical science can help us understand natural systems without releasing GE organisms. Ethical medicine and research in labs will continue under a GE-Free policy in 'food and fields'. Will being GE-Free help the economy? World markets are seeking GE-Free food. Tourism and exports rely on our clean-green image. Thousands of new jobs will be created in agriculture, organic research and in marketing NZ-made products. What about cultural and other values? GE can transform all aspects of life. The integrity of nature is threatened. It raises cultural and Treaty issues for Maori and non-Maori alike. The government says it will set up a Bio-Ethics Council to advise them. Issues of animal welfare are also a major concern, as is the use of human genes in food-animals to make new proteins. Many people, including Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Jews, do not want to be forced to accept 1% GE in food, and object to having choice denied. When will we decide to go GE-Free? The government is proceeding with GE trials. In 2003 the laws delaying GE commercial releases will automatically lapse. To protect a GE-Free future action is needed now. What can people do right now? People must speak out now and make politicians hear. Many New Zealanders are acting on their conscience to join groups like "Green Gloves" in support of peaceful civil disobedience, just as they did during the NuclearFree campaign. There are many things people can do to demand a GE-Free future is not destroyed forever.
Aotearoa - New Zealand
GE-FREE by 2003
The government is allowing more GE field trials to go ahead, instead of stopping them Cows and sheep with human genes will continue to be used 1% GE contamination, even in 'organic' food, could be forced on everyone Unless public pressure demands a GE-Free option for the future, commercial GE release will start from 2003
BUT
Over two thirds of New Zealanders want our food and environment 'GE-Free' Export markets want GE-Free food Cities and towns across New Zealand are declaring 'GE-Free Zones' Tangata Whenua and non-Maori are demanding politicians share the people's vision for the future. People must act now to support a
GE-FREE NZ
www.gefree.net.nz, www.madge.net.nz