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Business and Human Rights: a resource website

 

  Genetically-modified food/crops  

See also the following sections of this website:

NEW (recent additions to this section; top item is most recent addition)
GM foods 'not harmful' - Britain's academy of science, the Royal Society, says there is no evidence that eating GM food is any more harmful than eating non-GM food. (Ivan Noble, BBC News, 8 May 2003)

Greenpeace warns investors Monsanto a risk - Anti-biotech forces opened a new line of attack on agrochemical producer Monsanto Co, warning investors that the company's increasing focus on development of genetically modified crops was destined for disaster. (Carey Gillam, Reuters, 22 Apr. 2003)

International standards:

United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)

Websites:

Aventis CropScience: Our position on... (Aventis CropScience)

Bioethics and Human Rights Links (University of Minnesota Human Rights Library)

Biotechnology (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Biotechnology: Ethics & The Industry (Industry Canada, Government of Canada)

Center for Bioethics (University of Pennsylvania)

European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (European Commission)

FoodFirst: Institute for Food and Development Policy

Genetic Engineering (Greenpeace)

Genetic Engineering (Sierra Club)

Genetically Engineered Food Alert

GeneWatch UK

A Global Roadmap for Modern Biotechnology: An issues-based navigational tool with policy options for decision-makers in the public and private sectors (International Chamber of Commerce)

GM Food: genetic modified food (World News Network)

GRAIN: Genetic Resources Action International

Health and Human Rights Database (Boston University School of Public Health)

Integrity in Science: The Integrity in Science project seeks to safeguard science and the public welfare from the corruptive effects of industry’s influence (Integrity in Science, a project of The Center for Science in the Public Interest)

Issue Library: Biotechnology (CorpWatch)

Monsanto: Biotechnology (Monsanto)

Sierra Club:

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (Friends of the Earth)

TRIPS, sui generis and plant variety protection (Third World Network)

Upcoming events [Genetically engineered food/biotech] (GE Food Alert Campaign Center)

Other materials:

2003:

GM foods 'not harmful' - Britain's academy of science, the Royal Society, says there is no evidence that eating GM food is any more harmful than eating non-GM food. (Ivan Noble, BBC News, 8 May 2003)

Greenpeace warns investors Monsanto a risk - Anti-biotech forces opened a new line of attack on agrochemical producer Monsanto Co, warning investors that the company's increasing focus on development of genetically modified crops was destined for disaster. (Carey Gillam, Reuters, 22 Apr. 2003)

Food experts set guidelines to judge biotech risks - International food experts agreed on a framework last week for assessing the risks of biotech foods, establishing global guidelines that could help shape countries' food policies and influence trade disputes. (Tim Large, Reuters, 17 Mar. 2003) 

2002:

UN food envoy questions safety of gene crops - A United Nations human rights envoy this week questioned the safety of genetically modified (GM) food and said big corporations had more to gain from its use than poor countries fighting starvation. (Reuters, 17 Oct. 2002) 

Southern African nations seek GMO advisory body - Southern Africa's agriculture ministers want to set up an advisory committee to help them determine the potential effects of genetically modified foods on their populations (Reuters, 20 Sep. 2002)

Big oil groups top league for 'greenwash' - The big oil companies were some of the first multinationals to find themselves in the environmental "hall of shame" on Friday in the run up to next week's World Summit on Sustainable Development...Friends of the Earth singled out Shell, British Petroleum (BP) and ExxonMobil for accusations that they had played up green credentials but fell short of their much-publicised environmentally friendly ideals...The "Green Oscars" were awarded by FoE to companies that had produced the most "greenwash" since the Rio Earth summit in 1992. It ranked among the best theatrical performances those by oil companies and the biotech companies Monsanto, Novartis and Aventis. Sasol, the South African fuels company, and Eskom, the local state-owned power group, also received "honourable" mentions. (James Lamont, Financial Times, 23 Aug. 2002)

WHO sees risk unlikely from gene-altered foods - The World Health Organisation restated yesterday it was "unlikely" genetically-modified foods posed a hazard to humans, but denied it had called crisis talks in Africa to allay fears about food aid containing GM. (Reuters, 23 Aug. 2002) 

Spotlight on corporates reveals need for global rules - Some corporations continue to abuse the rights of people, destroy the livelihoods of communities, and pollute water and forest resources for future generations, according to a new report by Friends of the Earth International published today. The report graphically illustrates the need for governments to agree to introduce tighter rules for multinationals at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg. (Friends of the Earth, 16 Aug. 2002)

includes section entitled "Towards binding corporate accountability"

also includes the following case studies:

11. Worldwide: Aventis, Monsanto (genetically modified food)

Developers of genetically modified crops forge on - Researchers and seed companies are hard at work developing new genetically modified (GM) crops despite the storm of opposition they face from consumers, especially in Europe, scientists told a conference yesterday. (Eric Onstad, Reuters, 13 Aug. 2002)

{···español} Grupos indígenas de AL exhortan a gobiernos a proteger la biodiversidad - Rechazan transgénicos y agrotóxicos, en documento final - Organizaciones indígenas, campesinas y sociales de 12 países, reunidas en Guatemala en la segunda Semana por la Diversidad Biológica y Cultural, aseguraron en su declaración final que es responsabilidad de los gobiernos de América Latina y de las empresas biotecnológicas la destrucción de esta riqueza. (Elio Henriquez, La Jornada [México], 3 Julio 2002)

"Get to Consumers" to Help Save the Environment, Says New Report [by Worldwatch Institute] -...With the help of product labeling--for example, of genetically engineered foods or wood products harvested in a sustainable way--and the use of quality and efficiency standards, consumers now have the choice of more environmentally friendly products. The study describes six "eco-labeling" programs--covering such diverse areas as seafood, domestic appliances, tourism, and coffee--that award a seal of approval to producers who observe standards designed to ensure environmental protection. (Alison Raphael, OneWorld US, 24 June 2002)

US mulls WTO action to lift EU block on GM crops (David Evans, Reuters, 21 June 2002) 

Biotech sector urged to focus on problems of poor countries - The biotechnology sector must develop drugs and crops that address problems in the developing world, and work more closely with non- governmental organisations, if its growing international presence is not to provoke a backlash, according to an industry leader [Carl Feldbaum, president of the Biotechnology Industry Organisation] (Geoff Dyer, Financial Times, 12 June 2002)

Greenpeace protests against Nestle’s double standards on genetically engineered food: World's largest food producer must change ways -...Greenpeace today stepped up pressure against the world´s largest food producer Nestlé for continuing to sell genetically contaminated food, including baby food, in several Asian countries [refers to Thailand, Philippines, China/Hong Kong] (Greenpeace, 6 June 2002)

Biotech foods no riskier than other foods - GAO [U.S. General Accounting Office] study - Genetically modified foods pose no greater health risk than conventional foods, but the U.S. government should scrutinize more closely the safety of new biotech products, the investigative arm of Congress said. (Randy Fabi, Reuters, 27 May 2002) 

The fake persuaders: Corporations are inventing people to rubbish their opponents on the internet - While, in the past, companies have created fake citizens' groups to campaign in favour of trashing forests or polluting rivers, now they create fake citizens. [refers to Monsanto and the Bivings Group] (George Monbiot, Guardian [UK], 14 May 2002)

course: Biotechnology: Legal and Ethical Considerations, 8-18 July 2002, Vermont Law School, USA [added to this website 30 Apr. 2002]

Illegal Monsanto maize contaminates Swiss food - Further evidence of unauthorized growing of GE crops in Argentina - Greenpeace today confiscated thousands of boxes of Argentinean-imported maize products from Swiss supermarkets after genetic testing showed they are contaminated with Monsanto’s genetically engineered (GE) variety Roundup Ready GA21. This variety has not been approved for human consumption in Europe nor for commercial growing in Argentina, which further fuels suspicion of illegal plantings of GE crops in Argentina (Greenpeace, 24 Apr. 2002)

Mexican [indigenous] groups appeal to NAFTA environmental commission to force action against genetic contamination (Greenpeace, 23 Apr. 2002) 

BIOSAFETY: Annual Meeting Eyes Cartagena Protocol Implementation (UN Wire, 23 Apr. 2002)

GM activists call for ban to protect poor farmers - Environmentalists will press delegates at an international conference on biodiversity this week to ban a controversial form of genetic modification that deliberately sterilises crop seeds. (Steve Connor, Independent [UK], 8 Apr. 2002)

Biotechnology's Third Generation: From Golden Rice to Anti-Viral Tomatoes -- Good Health or Good Marketing? (Carmelo Ruiz-Marrero, CorpWatch, 5 Apr. 2002)

India's responsibility for GM safety — and equity: A decision by the Indian government to approve the commercial planting of genetically-engineered cotton gives it a heavy responsibility to take effective steps to ensure their safe and equitable application. (SciDev.Net, 2 Apr. 2002)

GENETIC ENGINEERING: Natural, Modified Crops Inevitably Mix, EU Says - Potentially harmful genetic mixing between natural and engineered crop strains is inevitable despite safeguards in place, the European Union's European Environment Agency said last week in a new study. (UN Wire, 26 Mar. 2002)

Bt Cotton: Seeds of Discontent -...U.S. chemical giant Monsanto's efforts -- through its Indian partner Mahyco -- to seek approval for commercializing the controversial transgenic Bt Cotton seeds in India has come under intense criticism. (Meena Menon and Nityanand Jayaraman, CorpWatch India, 25 Mar. 2002)

Judge approves $9 million settlement in bioengineered-corn suit [USA]: A federal judge approved a $9 million settlement Thursday in a class-action lawsuit by consumers who complained of allergic reactions to genetically modified corn in supermarket products...The StarLink corn seed...had been approved by the [U.S.] Environmental Protection Agency for use in animal feed but not for human consumption...Aventis and Garst were defendants in the lawsuit along with Kraft Foods Co. of Glenview, Ill.; Azteca Foods Inc. of Chicago; Azteca Milling, Co. of Edinburg, Texas; and a sister company, Mission Foods Co. (Mike Robinson, Associated Press, on Environmental News Network website, 8 Mar. 2002)

FOOD SAFETY: Codex Commission Approves Guidelines On GM Foods - The Codex Alimentarius Commission, a group set up by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization to set guidelines for food safety, agreed on risk-analysis standards for genetically modified foods (UN Wire, 8 Mar. 2002)

How Monsanto got bruised in a food fight: The group's genetically modified crops were welcomed in the US. It was unprepared for the reaction in Europe, says Michael Skapinker (Michael Skapinker, Financial Times, 7 Mar. 2002)

U.S. Regulation of Transgenic Plants Called Inadequate: Regulations now in place to protect the public and the environment from potential harmful effects of genetically engineered crops are inadequate, concludes a new review by the National Research Council. (Cat Lazaroff, Environment News Service, 22 Feb. 2002)

New Consumer Campaign Targeting Kraft Foods Launched in 170 Cities Today: Group Calls for safety testing and labeling of all genetically engineered foods, Asks Kraft Foods to remove GE ingredients from its products - Today consumer activists in over 170 cities around the United States, Canada, and Australia launched a new campaign that calls on Kraft Foods to remove untested, unlabeled genetically engineered ingredients from its products (Genetically Engineered Food Alert, 6 Feb. 2002)

Greenwash + 10: The UN's Global Compact, Corporate Accountability and the Johannesburg Earth Summit [includes references to Aventis] (Kenny Bruno, CorpWatch, 24 Jan. 2002)

GOLDEN RICE: Future Of Biotechnology On The Line, Newspaper Reports - Opponents charge...that the rice could damage the environment and disrupt traditional agriculture. They say companies such as Syngenta, Pharmacia and Pharmacia subsidiary Monsanto know the rice will never deliver on its promises but are using it as a public relations tool while they plot to reap huge profits after crowding out other strains in developing countries. (UN Wire, 10 Jan. 2002)

USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture], soybean groups study new China GMO [genetically modified organisms] rules (Reuters, 8 Jan. 2002)

2001:

Mexican environment and farming groups launch formal complaint process against GE corn imports: As the debate about genetic contamination of Mexican varieties of corn has heightened, Greenpeace along with a number of other Mexican environment and farming groups has begun a formal complaint process against the Mexican government to seek an immediate ban on the import of GE corn from the USA. (Greenpeace, 11 Dec. 2001)

Indian farmers caught in war over GM crops (Thomas Kutty Abraham, Reuters, 5 Dec. 2001)

A disappointing compromise [critique of the new International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture] (editorial, Seedling, GRAIN [Genetic Resources Action International], Dec. 2001)

Shareowners Increase Social Activism Significantly in 2001: Research released by the Investor Responsibility Research Center reveals upward trends for shareowner activism on social issues...Voorhes considers global labor standards, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and board diversification the hot topics fueling this recent rise in shareowner activism. (William Baue, SocialFunds.com, 28 Nov. 2001)

India to destroy illegally grown GM crops: Authorities in India's western Gujarat state have begun procurement of illegally grown gene-engineered cotton from farmers to prevent replanting of the seeds, officials said yesterday. (Reuters, 23 Nov. 2001)

Scientist sees hope for Africa in GM crops: African farmers waging the age-old battle against pests and crop disease are not nearly as well-armed as their counterparts in Europe and North America. But biotechnology could provide them with powerful tools to help feed a growing population and reduce hunger, Kenyan plant scientist Florence Wambugu said...Wambugu dismissed the idea that biotechnology companies are forcing GM crops on Africa. But she said that adoption of biotech crops in Africa will be a long, slow process. (Julie Ingwersen, Reuters, 15 Nov. 2001)

Hunger fighters see biotech hope for poor nations:..."You have two choices," Borlaug [plant scientist and Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug] told Reuters in an interview. "You need it to further improve yields so that you can continue to produce the food that's needed on the soil that's well-adapted to agricultural production. Or, you'll be pushed into cutting down more of our forests."...GM crop pioneers like Monsanto, fighting to win hearts and minds for the crop technology, have now turned actively to addressing the problems of the developing world. (Julie Ingwersen, Reuters, 12 Nov. 2001)

World's worst diseases face new foe - biotechnology: Genetic engineering, often slammed by environmental and consumer groups for its role in altering staple foods, may have found a niche where it can help save the lives of millions from the world's most endemic diseases. (Jeremy Smith, Reuters, 12 Nov. 2001) 

GM crop research slow to reach hungry Third World: With thousands of the world's poor dying from starvation every day and millions going to bed on an empty stomach, many desperate voices are calling on richer countries to use genetic science to wage an all-out war on famine...Not everyone agrees that GM food will necessarily become the saviour for the world's hungry and critics insist that there is, as yet, no conclusive evidence of the touted benefits. (Jeremy Smith, Reuters, 9 Nov. 2001) 

GMO crops - here to stay or gone with the wind? Consumer pressure will not force North and South American farmers to abandon genetically modified crops but it could blight the development of a new generation promising many medical or nutritional benefits. (Peter Bohan, Reuters, 6 Nov. 2001)

AGRICULTURE: FAO Votes for Broad Limits on Crop Patents - The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Conference has approved an international treaty that largely bans the patenting of non-genetically modified crops, a step aimed at protecting plant diversity as a tool for eradicating world hunger. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is intended to preserve the diversity of food and agriculture and the ''fair and equitable sharing of the benefits.'' (Jorge Piña, Inter Press Service, 5 Nov. 2001)

NEW ZEALAND: Approval of GMO Trials Fuels Maori Backlash - This week's decision by the New Zealand Labor Government to allow the resumption of field trials of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has created a storm of controversy among the indigenous Maori community, most of whom reject the release of the technology into the environment. (Bob Burton, Inter Press Service, 31 Oct. 2001)

Science Helps Poverty Fight: New CGIAR [Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research] report says scientific efforts aimed at helping poor farmers are key to reducing hunger, malnutrition - Nourishing a Peaceful Earth: the CGIAR's Contributions... provides concrete examples of how scientists, in partnership with industrialized and developing countries, are producing new technologies and other solutions to boost crop yields, increase rural incomes, and reduce the use of pesticides. (Development News, World Bank, 30 Oct. 2001

Global GM crop area growing amid health debate: Genetically modified crops are expanding worldwide, with total area expected to reach 50 million hectares by year-end amid controversy over its effect on health and the environment, an independent biotech agency said yesterday. (Reuters, 19 Oct. 2001) 

U.S. EPA Renews Approval for Bt Corn - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has extended approval for genetically modified Bt corn for an additional seven years, the agency said Tuesday. The decision was applauded by the biotechnology industry, but roundly criticized by environmental and consumer groups. (Cat Lazaroff, Environment News Service, 18 Oct. 2001)

India may allow GM crop production by March: India is likely to allow by March the commercial production of a genetically modified (GM) crop for the first time, a top government official said. (Atul Prakash, Reuters, 17 Oct. 2001)

EU Commission moves to end ban on new GM crops: The European Commission has worked out a compromise to allow EU governments concerned about genetically modified (GM) crops to lift a ban on new varieties, according to documents obtained by Reuters yesterday...The Commission will meet food regulation experts from EU states next Tuesday to discuss the de-facto moratorium which has left GMOs, developed by life sciences giants such as Novartis and Monsanto, in regulatory limbo. (Robin Pomeroy, Reuters, 10 Oct. 2001) 

Gene patents are legal, EU court rules: A European Union court upheld an EU law yesterday that allows companies to patent genetic sequences found in plants and animals, rejecting the Netherlands' attempt to overturn the law (Reuters, 10 Oct. 2001) 

EU says biotech foods may be safer than regular food: Contradicting the prevailing sentiment in Europe against biotech crops, a report Tuesday from the European Union's head office suggested they may be even safer than regular foods. (Paul Geitner, Associated Press, 9 Oct. 2001)

Greenpeace urges Novartis to recall baby products: Environmental group Greenpeace last week urged Swiss healthcare group Novartis AG to withdraw baby food being sold in the Philippines which contained genetically modified soy. (Reuters, 8 Oct. 2001)

Europe threatened by massive increase in GMO foods: Commission proposes "voluntary agreements" with biotech industry - Friends of the Earth (FoE) has accused the European Commission of disregarding public health and environmental concerns by proposing to undermine future legislation on GMO foods and crops. The Commission is calling on EU Member States to trust "voluntary agreements" with the biotech companies and to break the current moratorium on GMOs. If agreed this would give the go-ahead for 13 new GMO crops and 11 new foods, none of which have been approved under future more rigorous legislation already agreed by the European Union. (Friends of the Earth, 5 Oct. 2001)

Novartis finds GMO soy in Philippines baby food: Swiss healthcare group Novartis AG confirmed yesterday allegations from environmental group Greenpeace that some samples of baby food it sold in the Philippines contained genetically modified soy. Novartis stressed the products were safe but added that it was seeking a new supplier. (Reuters, 5 Oct. 2001)

'Halt terror against the earth' [India]: The Maharashtra Government has reportedly given the rights to a lake - which hitherto was the community resource and a source of livelihood for the local population - to the soft drinks giant, Coca Cola, for running one of its several bottling plants in the country. This is not an isolated case. Globalisation is allowing a handful of corporations such as Cargill and Vivendi to own and control public land and water through contract farming, privatisation and commodification of resources. Corporations such as Monsanto, Syngenta and Novartis are pirating and trying to own and control our biodiversity, food, medicinal plants and knowledge through patents and IPR claims such as the neem patents, basmati and other rice patents. (Soma Basu, The Hindu [India], 5 Oct. 2001)

US work on jasmine rice causes worry [Thailand]: Chucheep says local market is still safe - A Thai biodiversity advocate has warned about possible economic loss to Thai farmers if a new variety of jasmine rice being developed in the US becomes successful and receives a patent. (Kultida Samabuddhi, Bangkok Post, 4 Oct. 2001)

International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources: The Final Stretch - What is at stake under the "new" IU [International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture] has risen considerably. It's still about developing an international system - implying shared responsibilities - to conserve genetic diversity of food and fodder crops. But more critically, it's about whether or not these resources will be rescued from the deepening spiral of corporate - and state - monopolisation. If governments do not reach an agreement on the IU in November, we will be left with only one global legal instrument setting the rules over farmers' seeds and farmers' rights: the WTO TRIPS Agreement. (GRAIN, Oct. 2001)

Biodiversity Rights Legislation (BRL): Biodiversity Rights Legislation (BRL) is a collection of public legal documents -- laws, bills and other legislative proposals...BRL contains the full texts or the Internet addresses (URLs) of emerging laws and policies that affect peoples' control over agricultural biodiversity in developing countries. (GRAIN [Genetic Resources Action International], Oct. 2001)

Serious genetic contamination revealed in Mexican maize: Greenpeace today called on Mexico to adopt emergency measures to combat the first serious outbreak of genetic pollution in the centre of diversity of maize, located in several communities in the state of Oaxaca...The contamination originates from genetically engineered (GE) maize grains imported from the United States to Mexico to be used for food. (Greenpeace, 27 Sep. 2001)

India plans to regulate GM farm imports - official: India plans to regulate imports of genetically modified (GM) agricultural products due to concerns about their effects on health and the environment, a top government official said. (Reuters, 26 Sep. 2001)

Patenting GMOs - a difficult question of balance: Patenting living organisms - a means to create unfair profit potential for the rich or an efficient way of encouraging new technologies to conserve dwindling natural resources and promote world food security? Those are just two sides of the debate over the complex and sensitive issue of slapping intellectual property protection on living forms, including genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). (Karen Iley, Reuters, 25 Sep. 2001)

{···español} Todos los caminos conducen a la propiedad intelectual en América Latina: La Fundación Gaia y GRAIN anuncian la publicación de un nuevo informe que analiza los mecanismos de presión internacional que vienen siendo utilizados para lograr que los países de América Latina adopten medidas de monopolización sobre la biodiversidad, en ocasiones normas de derechos de propiedad intelectual (DPI) que van más allá de lo requerido por el Acuerdo TRIPS de la Organización Mundial del Comercio. (GRAIN, 19 Sep. 2001)

Indonesia says to go ahead with GM cotton planting: Indonesia's agriculture minister said yesterday the government would proceed with the planting of genetically modified (GM) cotton in South Sulawesi despite strong opposition. (Reuters, 19 Sep. 2001)

World lacks will to conquer hunger, UN says: The world lacks the commitment to feed its people and the war on hunger is being lost, according to the U.N. food agency...The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has called a follow-up summit for November 5-9 to try to galvanise the international community into action to achieve the 1996 target. "There is a need to recognise that hunger is a violation of basic human rights." [includes references to: the need for rich nations to open their markets to poor countries; GM food; FAO Trust Fund for Food Security which will receive voluntary contributions from governments and the private sector to be used to teach people in poor countries how to feed themselves, for infrastructure and to combat pests] (David Brough, Reuters, 17 Sep. 2001)

Global food chain poses stiff challenge for WTO talks: WTO food talks have centred on long-held differences between the United States, Europe, Japan, developing nations and poor countries on farm subsidies, export subsidies, market access, the environment, labour issues, food security and food safety. (Peter Bohan, 14 Sep. 2001)

Greenpeace condemns European patent for GM fish: Ecologist group Greenpeace has condemned the granting of a European patent for a genetic tweak that can make salmon grow eight times larger than normal. Greenpeace France said the Munich-based European Patent Office (EPO) granted Canadian company Seabright Corporation a patent for a genetically modified Atlantic salmon and all other fish species carrying an additional gene for faster growth. (Reuters, 12 Sep. 2001)

Biotechnology: Giving a voice to the developing world - With the world's population having surpassed six billion people and still growing, food production will need to double in less than two generations, using largely the same amount of land and water resources. Science's answer to this dilemma has come in the form of genetically modified crops- crops that can withstand drought, disease, salt, and pollution. Such crops will need to be grown in the developing world, where most of the population growth will occur. But so far the biotechnology debate has been between the US and Europe, with countries in the developing world being marginalized and excluded. (Sacha Shivdasani, Earth Times News Service, 11 Sep. 2001)

Industry code to tackle GM contamination: New rules to ensure that genetically-modified food ingredients are kept out of the food chain have been drawn up by industry groups. Farmers, seed merchants, processors and retailers must ensure the strict segregation of non-GM from GM product. The products must not be transported on the same ship or lorry and must be stored separately. The rules apply mainly to soya and maize. (Valerie Elliott, Times [UK], 8 Sep. 2001)

Court to decide on herbicide: GM [genetically-modified food] multinational Aventis yesterday went to the [United Kingdom] high court to try to stop the government releasing information on the health effects of one of its herbicides to Friends of the Earth. (Guardian [UK], 8 Sep. 2001)

Outdoors "Pharming" of Drugs Risks Contamination: Open field trials of genetically engineered (GE) rice containing human genes are being carried out in the heart of the California's traditional rice growing region, according to Greenpeace..."There is just no excuse to allow drug producing crops to be grown out in the fields where they can contaminate the environment and food chain by spreading their genes to wild relative and to conventional crops growing nearby..." said Kimberly Wilson, Genetic Engineering Campaigner for Greenpeace USA. According to the information submitted by the company Applied Phytologics Incorporated (API) to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), eight of the nine compounds produced in its field trial come from humans, in other words from rice engineered with human genes. The USDA imposes virtually no safety requirements specific to pharmaceutical crops. (Greenpeace, 7 Sep. 2001)

Greenpeace urges the European Commission to stop import of Monsanto's genetically modified "RR" soya (Greenpeace, 6 Sep. 2001)

EU seeks public input on new biotech strategy: The public consultation will take the form of questions posted on the EU executive's web site, inviting comments from industry, consumer groups and individuals on issues ranging from genetically modified (GM) foods to stem cell research. (Reuters, 6 Sep. 2001)

Asia's sensitivity over GMO worries US soy trade: The growing sensitivity of some Asian nations towards gene-altered soybeans and China's new genetically modified organisms (GMO) rules are increasingly causing concern among the U.S. soy trade, an American Soybean Association (ASA) official said yesterday. (Sambit Mohanty, Reuters, 5 Sep. 2001)

Sri Lanka's GM food ban delayed indefinitely - source: Sri Lanka has postponed indefinitely plans to impose one of the world's toughest bans on genetically modified (GM) food, a senior health ministry official said yesterday. (Reuters, 4 Sep. 2001) 

EU defends new rules on genetically modified food: The European Commission defended proposed new rules on genetically modified foods yesterday despite reports that the U.S. government believes they break international trade laws. (Reuters, 29 Aug. 2001)

Feeding prejudice: With hunger and malnourishment set to spread, it's vital that we stop demonising GM food (Johnjoe McFadden, Professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Surrey, Guardian [UK], 29 Aug. 2001)

WHO Director-General proposes a ground-breaking health and ethics initiative: Speaking at the African Regional Committee meeting in Brazzaville, WHO Director-General, Gro Harlem Brundtland, proposed the establishment of a WHO Health Ethics Initiative. The cross-WHO initiative would focus on ethics in public health, health research, and biotechnology, including genome related work, stem cell research and cloning. (World Health Organization, 28 Aug. 2001)

Sri Lanka: Lobbying puts ban on GE food at risk: Four months ago, Sri Lankan environmentalists were a jubilant lot. Now, they are disappointed as a landmark ban on genetically engineered (GE) foods from 1 September may be deferred due to protests from western governments and the private sector here. (Feizal Samath, Inter Press Service, 27 Aug. 2001)

Sri Lanka urged to postpone GM food controls: Sri Lanka's business community appealed to the government this week to delay plans to bring back tough controls on genetically modified (GM) food on September 1 (Reuters, 22 Aug. 2001)

EU says no evidence US GM soybeans pose risk: The European Commission said this week it had no scientific evidence that a brand of genetically modified soybeans - which environmental group Greenpeace wants banned - posed a health risk. (Reuters, 22 Aug. 2001) 

Food fights can't feed the hungry: Beneath the debate in industrialized nations over biotechnology foods lies a tragic irony: Those who have the most may deny this promising technology to those who need it most. That is the conclusion of a recent United Nations report warning that the world's poorest cannot afford for its richest to stall biotechnology on the basis of scientifically unfounded fears. Without biotechnology, the UN's Human Development 2001 report says, developing nations may be unable to feed their rapidy expanding populations. So it is sad - and potentially dangerous - that, in the report's words, the debate in the West ''mostly ignores the concerns and needs of the developing world.'' (Hans Kornberg [Professor of Biology at Boston University and former chair of the United Kingdom's Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification], in Boston Globe, 21 Aug. 2001)

India still studying commercial use of GM foods: Citing safety concerns, India said last week it had allowed several research studies but not yet approved the commercial production and use of genetically modified foods in the country. (Reuters, 20 Aug. 2001) 

Mystery gene in soybeans heats GMO debate: Fresh controversy erupted last week after scientists discovered unidentified fragments of DNA in gene-altered soybeans, jolting grain markets and heating up a simmering debate about genetically modified organisms (GMOs). (K.T. Arasu, Reuters, 20 Aug. 2001) 

Groups protest threat to food safety laws: Over 200 groups worldwide recently sent a letter to US President George W. Bush's administration, protesting what they call "threats" he made to other countries' sovereignty by promising not to trade with them under their current respective food safety laws...The group called the US threats "unreasonable" in their letter and they reportedly argued that Sri Lanka and other nations have a scientific, regulatory and moral basis to set limits on the proliferation of genetically engineered organisms (GMOs). (Duane A. Gallop, Earth Times News Service, 17 Aug. 2001)

NZ GMO report pits Australian industry vs consumers: A New Zealand government inquiry which urged the South Pacific nation not to reject genetically modified (GM) foods was welcomed by the Australian food industry yesterday but slammed by consumer activists. A Royal Commission, the most far-reaching investigation a New Zealand government can order, on Monday rejected the idea of a GM-free country by recommending loosened curbs on low-risk GM applications while calling for rigorous case-by-case testing. (Reuters, 1 Aug. 2001) 

DEVELOPMENT-NEW ZEALAND: Critics up in Arms over Approval of GMOs: Critics are up in arms over this week's report by a New Zealand royal commission, which has rejected overwhelming community and Maori opposition to the further development and use of genetically modified organisms. (Bob Burton, Inter Press Service, 31 July 2001) 

BIOTECHNOLOGY: US Codex Task Force Member Derides UN - A US delegation member on the UN's Codex Alimentarius Commission chides the United Nations in a Wall Street Journal letter today, saying that the "UN's repeated insistence upon excessive, unscientific biotechnology regulation will slow agricultural research and development, promote environmental damage and bring famine and death to millions in developing countries." (UN Wire, 30 July 2001)

Aventis to continue efforts to contain StarLink corn: European biotech firm Aventis SA said last week it would continue efforts to keep its StarLink bio-engineered corn, currently unapproved for human consumption, from making its way into human food supplies. (Reuters, 30 July 2001) 

US science panel rejects StarLink in human food: A science advisory panel last week urged the Environmental Protection Agency to maintain its ban on StarLink biotech corn in human food, saying too many questions remain about whether the gene-spliced corn can cause rashes, breathing problems or other allergic reactions. (Julie Vorman, Reuters, 30 July 2001)

press release: "TRIPS-plus" treaties leave WTO in the dust: A report published today by Genetic Resources Action International (GRAIN) shows the extent to which industrialised countries are using bilateral treaties to secure ever stronger monopoly rights on biodiversity in developing countries. (GRAIN, 27 July 2001)

Consumers ask Asia to adopt tough EU GMO rules: The European Union's new rules on food derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are likely to spur Asian consumers to ask their governments for tougher safeguards against GMOs, analysts said yesterday. (Jae Hur, Reuters, 27 July 2001) 

EU presents tough rules on gene labels, tracing: The European Commission yesterday unveiled long-awaited new rules on the labelling and traceability of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) aimed at restarting its stalled approvals process.  (David Evans, Reuters, 26 July 2001) 

Roadmap points the way ahead for biotechnology: Business experts serving on ICC [International Chamber of Commerce] commissions covering environment, trade and investment, intellectual property and marketing have combined to draw up a Global Roadmap for Modern Biotechnology. The roadmap contrasts business and government positions on all the basic issues under debate, including promoting innovation, building consumer trust and health and environmental issues. (International Chamber of Commerce, 20 July 2001)

Bangkok Conference on Biotechnology Calls for Greater Transparency on GMOs: A three-day international conference in Bangkok on "New Biotechnology Food and Crops: Science, Safety and Society" concluded with recommendations that all stakeholders commit to greater transparency on genetically modified organisms and that governments increase their support for independent and publicly funded scientific research into the risks and benefits of GM foods and crops. (OECD, 12 July 2001)

Bangkok conference on GMOs [genetically-modified organisms] endorses consumers right to know: The rights of consumers are supreme and must be respected. Consumers have an absolute right to know what is in the food they consume stated Suwit Khunkitti, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand at the OECD Conference on Biotechnology in Bangkok. (Consumers International, 12 July 2001)

New Biotechnology Foods and Crops: Science, Safety and Society -  Bangkok Conference, 10-12 July 2001 (OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development])

Oxfam and Greenpeace Criticize UNDP Report for Pro-Biotech Bias: The UN's 2001 Human Development Report "Making New Technologies Work For Human Development" presents as facts the unsubstantiated promises of the biotech industry, said the development and environmental groups Oxfam Canada and Greenpeace today. The organizations applauded, however, the UNDP's concern that intellectual property rights codified in the WTO have impeded the transfer of technology to developing countries. (Canada NewsWire, 10 July 2001)

UN agency backs GM food crops: Grassroots groups angered by conclusion that the poor and the hungry will benefit - The United Nations Development Programme says that many developing countries may reap great benefits from genetically modified foodstuffs, that the technology can significantly reduce the malnutrition which affects 800m people, and that it will be especially valuable to poor farmers working marginal land in sub-Saharan Africa. The report is one of the agency's most provocative, and grassroots groups, development charities and environmentalists in more than 50 countries described it as "simplistic", "pandering to the GM industry" and "failing to take into account the views of the poor". (John Vidal and John Aglionby, Guardian [UK], 11 July 2001)

Silicon Valley vs. better hoe. Which technology suits the poor? Today in London, the UNDP launches a powerful 'manifesto', the Human Development Report (HDR) entitled 'Making new technologies work for human development'.  At a time where revolutionary changes in technology are driving forwards globalisation - and globalisation is creating greater inequalities than at any time in history, ITDG feels that the fundamental issue is not 'making new technologies work for human development'. The challenge is enabling poor people to make technologies work for them. (Intermediate Technology Development Group, 10 July 2001)

report: Human Development Report 2001: Making new technologies work for human development (U.N. Development Programme, 10 July 2001)

UNDP: New Report Cites Importance Of Technology To Poor States - Opposition to genetically modified crops by wealthy countries threatens the ability of poor countries to feed their growing populations, the UN Development Program warns in its Human Development Report 2001, scheduled for release tomorrow in Mexico. (UN Wire, 9 July 2001)

World guideline for pre-market GM testing agreed: Agreement has been reached on the first global guidelines requiring countries to test the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods before they come on the market, the Codex Alimentarius Commission said on Friday. (Stephanie Nebehay, Reuters, 9 July 2001)

FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] probes plant that made chips with StarLink corn: Federal regulators said yesterday they were investigating a plant that produced white corn tortilla chips to determine how the snack food was contaminated with traces of genetically altered StarLink corn, a variety that triggered a massive food recall last autumn. (Julie Vorman, Reuters, 6 July 2001) 

Treaty to protect world's major food crops agreed, but NGOs criticise 'right to patent genes': Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) immediately criticised the weakened text for enshrining OECD countries' priority to support private profit rather than food security, and for subordinating this environmental treaty to the trade rules of the WTO - including its contentious agreement on intellectual property rights (TRIPs). (Intermediate Technology Development Group, 2 July 2001)

Sowing Technology: The ecological argument against genetic engineering down on the farm (Craig Holdrege and Steve Talbott, Sierra Magazine, Sierra Club, July/Aug. 2001)

Spinning Science into GOLD: In the pursuit of profit, the biotech industry is manipulating more than genes (Karen Charman, Sierra Magazine, Sierra Club, July/Aug. 2001)

A Nation of Lab Rats: Is genetically engineered food bad for you? Maybe. Maybe not. (Barbara Keeler, Sierra Magazine, Sierra Club, July/Aug. 2001)

New Monsanto and GMO Propaganda: Seeds of Irreversible Change: Multinationals like Monsanto are facing real grassroots opposition in the world, especially over agro-chemicals and GMOs. Monsanto has led the big corporations towards diversionary tactics: they have issued codes of conduct and ethical charters to conceal their real objective of creating value for their shareholders. They are promoting their products as cures for third world hunger and disease, and as an alternative to the dangers of pesticides. They hope to win over a hostile public with advertising. (Agnès Sinai, Le Monde diplomatique, July 2001)

GM food link to humans is ruled out: An analysis of the human genetic code that suggested genes could be passed from bacteria or genetically modified food to people is overturned by a study published last week. (Roger Highfield, Daily Telegraph [UK], 28 June 2001)

US warning on GM crops: A leading American farming association is warning Australia about the negative effects of genetically modified crops. Chief Executive Officer of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA), Gary Goldberg, is urging Australian farmers to be careful, saying the US has lost millions of dollars in export and compromised the "integrity" of its crops as a result of using Genetically Modified Organisms. (Nabila Ahmed, The Age [Melbourne], 27 June 2001)

Green groups say seed patents menace food security: Environment groups said yesterday the patenting of food and seeds by multinational companies threatened food security and access by farmers to vital genetic resources. (David Brough, Reuters, 26 June 2001)

Sri Lanka to suspend GM food ban at WTO's behest: Sri Lanka announced yesterday it would comply with a World Trade Organisation (WTO) request to suspend one of the world's toughest bans on genetically modified (GM) food, but insisted the restrictions would be reimposed. (Dayan Candappa, Reuters, 26 June 2001)

Multinationals must stop exploiting biodiversity and abusing patent laws (Greenpeace, 25 June 2001) 

Japan's Calbee recalls some snacks over GM traces: Japan's unlisted Calbee Foods Co Ltd said yesterday it had voluntarily recalled some of its snack products after traces of unapproved genetically modified (GM) potatoes were detected. (Reuters, 21 June 2001) 

US watchdog group assails genetic field testing: A consumer watchdog group yesterday accused the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of rubber stamping approval of field tests of genetically engineered crops that could harm people and the environment (Reuters, 15 June 2001) 

Argentine farmers bet on biotech [While proponents say GM products increase efficiency, environmental and consumer groups say the products are not well regulated and could contain hidden health and environmental risks] (Athena Jones, Reuters, 15 June 2001) 

Green groups reject US govt report on StarLink bio-corn (Randy Fabi, Reuters, 15 June 2001)

Maker of suspect corn seed accused of breaking UN pact - Consumer and agricultural watchdog groups yesterday accused a multinational corporation that produces genetically modified foods of failing to uphold a UN code of business conduct to which it had agreed.  The advocates called on the United Nations to consider ejecting the company, Strasbourg-based Aventis S.A., from its Global Compact - a group of corporations that pledged to abide by human rights and environmental norms less than a year ago. (Elizabeth Neuffer, Boston Globe, 15 June 2001)

Intellectual property rights and human rights: Report of the Secretary-General (United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, 14 June 2001)

Aventis: Global Compact Violator - Since Aventis signed on to the Global Compact in July 2000, their genetically engineered StarLinkTM corn has illegally contaminated the food supply and seed stock. A look at the company's behavior regarding StarLink shows that before, during and after signing the Compact, Aventis violated Global Compact's Principle 7, which is drawn from the Rio Declaration and supports "a precautionary approach to environmental challenges."  (Gabriela Flora, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, on CorpWatch website, 14 June 2001)

GM soy in U.S. needs 10 pct less herbicide - study: Farmers in the United States planting Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) soy reduced their use of herbicides by an average of about 10 percent, Dutch researchers said yesterday (Reuters, 14 June 2001) 

CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control] says StarLink corn did not cause human allergies (Reuters, 14 June 2001) 

Greenpeace applauds the Chinese Government on tightening control over genetically modified organisms (Greenpeace, 7 June 2001)

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS: Agriculture keen on GE field trials - Genetic technology 'cannot be ignored' [Thailand] (Ploenpote Atthakor, Bangkok Post, 6 June 2001)

Greenpeace and Miseror [the German Catholic Church development agency] challenge DuPont biopiracy patent (Greenpeace/Miseror, 29 May 2001)

HK activists block Nestle plant in GM food protest (Chee-may Chow, Reuters, 29 May 2001) 

Japan food recall revives StarLink biotech scare (Jae Hur, Reuters, 28 May 2001) 

Biotech to drive chemicals sales, report [by McKinsey & Co.] says (Reuters, 23 May 2001) 

Genetic Modification: Greenpeace praises tofu firm for GMO tests of ingredients - Its product among those exposed earlier [Thailand] (Ploenpote Atthakor, Bangkok Post, 18 May 2001)

Lifting the Veil of Secrecy: New Website Discloses Scientists’ Links to Industry: The nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) today launched an Internet site to provide information about the links between hundreds of scientists — mostly in the fields of nutrition, environment, toxicology, and medicine — and corporations. (Center for Science in the Public Interest, 17 May 2001)

Worldwide initiatives against GMOs [genetically modified organisms] (Third World Network, 16 May 2001)

Read the label: China passes regs requiring food products to list genetic alterations (China Online, 15 May 2001)

Monsanto denies sale of illegal seed [Argentina] (Reuters, 11 May 2001)

Illegal genetically engineered corn from Monsanto detected in Argentina (Greenpeace, 11 May 2001)

Legal petition against 5 US agencies aims to stop world's first GE [genetically-engineered] fish release (Greenpeace, 9 May 2001)

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD: Farmers told to expect tough patent laws in the future: Strong trade barriers also on the cards [Thailand] (Ranjana Wangvipula, Bangkok Post, 6 May 2001)

GM [genetically-modified crop] trial 'threatens organic centre' [UK] (BBC News, 6 May 2001)

New study finds Monsanto soya means more pesticides in the environment (Greenpeace, 4 May 2001)

"GMOs [genetically-modified organisms] can be used for good and for bad," Jacques Diouf says: FAO Director-General unveils two new publications, the first in a series on ethics in food and agriculture (UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 3 May 2001)

Minister [UK Environment Minister] to tackle GM [genetically-modified crop] firm over trials (BBC News, 3 May 2001)

Environmentalists to join regulators [on Thailand's panel charged with regulating field trials of genetically modified crops] (Bangkok Post, 3 May 2001)

Food labelling may not be enough [to protect consumers from genetically modified food], says Greenpeace: Group launches consumer guide [Thailand] (Kultida Samabuddhi, Bangkok Post, 3 May 2001)

Monsanto executive named for senior EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency] job (Reuters, 2 May 2001)

Thailand bans the release of genetically engineered crops into the environment (Greenpeace, 6 Apr. 2001)

FDA announces proposal and draft guidance for food developed through biotechnology (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 17 Jan. 2001)

2000:

Enough Food for the Whole World (Anuradha Mittal, Co-Director Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, in Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2000)

We'll Feed Our People As We See Fit (Hassan Adamu, Nigeria's minister of agricultural and rural development, in Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2000)

Biotechnology, Ethics & The Future: Bioethicist Arthur Caplan Talks With CBS News (CBS News, 13 May 2000)

GM Food Safety: Facts, Uncertainties, and Assessment: The OECD Edinburgh Conference on the Scientific and Health Aspects of Genetically Modified Foods (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Feb.-Mar. 2000)

Biosafety Protocol Agreed (Friends of the Earth, 29 Jan. 2000)

1999:

Advance of the biotech giants: Farmers' groups and NGOs supporting them in south-east Asia are concerned that a second Green Revolution is gathering pace, fuelled by advances in genetic engineering. These developments involve close collaboration between international and national research institutions and the private sector – mainly giant biotech companies. A paper by NGOs from Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia argues that hybrid varieties and genetically-modified (GM) maize present a huge threat to food security and agricultural sustainability. (Down to Earth Newsletter, Nov. 1999)