Wild maize contaminated by GMOs
Friends of the Earth | 29.11.2001 09:52 | Bio-technology | Ecology
Halt this reckless experiment now says FOE
Friends of the Earth is calling for an immediate global moratorium on the growing of GM crops[1] after new research revealed that wild maize in Mexico has been contaminated with GMOs.The results are were revealed in the science journal Nature.
Friends of the Earth is calling for an immediate global moratorium on the growing of GM crops[1] after new research revealed that wild maize in Mexico has been contaminated with GMOs.The results are were revealed in the science journal Nature.
The revelation raises concerns about pollution from GM crop trials in the UK. Of the GM crops currently being tested in the UK oilseed rape and beet crops have wild relatives [2].
Pete Riley, Real Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
"These findings are deeply disturbing and highlight the huge gamble the biotech industry is taking with nature. The long-term implications of allowing GM crops to contaminate wild plants are unknown and will be almost impossible to reverse. This is why Governments around the world should halt the dangerous experiment of growing GM crops outside.”
Notes:
[1] The Biosafety Protocol (or Cartegena Protocol) was signed in Montreal in 1999 and allows states to control the import of GMOs if their environment is under threat. Britain has signed - but not yet ratified - the protocol. The USA, the largest exporter of GM maize for food, animal feed and seed hasn't even signed it.
[2] Other centres of biodiversity that could be contaminated with GM materials are the Andes (potatoes), China (soya beans) and Thailand (rice).
Pete Riley, Real Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
"These findings are deeply disturbing and highlight the huge gamble the biotech industry is taking with nature. The long-term implications of allowing GM crops to contaminate wild plants are unknown and will be almost impossible to reverse. This is why Governments around the world should halt the dangerous experiment of growing GM crops outside.”
Notes:
[1] The Biosafety Protocol (or Cartegena Protocol) was signed in Montreal in 1999 and allows states to control the import of GMOs if their environment is under threat. Britain has signed - but not yet ratified - the protocol. The USA, the largest exporter of GM maize for food, animal feed and seed hasn't even signed it.
[2] Other centres of biodiversity that could be contaminated with GM materials are the Andes (potatoes), China (soya beans) and Thailand (rice).
Friends of the Earth
Homepage:
http://www.foe.co.uk
Comments
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GM Oil Seed Rape Contamination
29.11.2001 10:47
This is really serious in the UK cos we grow lots of oil seed rape and it has many wild relatives that may be affected.
Check out this weeks SchNEWS (out tomorrow) for a little article on this.
Jo Makepeace
e-mail:
schnews@brighton.co.uk
Homepage:
http://schnews.org.uk
reposted from SchNEWS
04.12.2001 12:13
Reports in the scientific journals Nature and New Scientist show that genetically modified (GM) crops have contaminated all of North America. In Canada where GM oil seed rape has been grown commercially for six years, GM pollen and seed is now so widespread it is difficult to grow conventional or organic strains without them being contaminated. Not only that but also some GM plants are developing into superweeds, as they have acquired resistance to more than one weedkiller by crossing with other GM strains.
In Mexico wild maize growing over 60 miles away from GM varieties have been genetically contaminated. Of course the long-term effects of wild plants being contaminated by GM crops is totally unknown and may have knock-on effects on the animals that feed on them, we just don’t know. So in the light of these findings will the government halt GM crops? Will capitalist pigs fly?
* The snappily titled Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) (see SchNEWS 329) was adopted at the United Nations Food and Agriculture conference at the beginning of the month. In theory the agreement should have totally undermined the biotech companies control over genetic resources in food crops, unfortunately it’s unlikely to happen. Under international law the terms of new treaties should overrule older ones, this meant this treaty would have trumped the World Trade Organisations (WTO) TRIPs Agreement (see SchNEWS 328). But carefully placed wording in PGFRA appears to suggest that the WTO will still be able to continue to be genetic bullies on behalf of the biotech giants www.ukabc.org
* Pharmacia the American Pharmaceuticals group will next October sell its share of the biotech firm Monsanto. An industry analyst said, “If management does not have to give presentations every year on Frankenfoods that can only be a good thing.” Check the cybersquatted www.monsanto.org - telling you exactly what to expect from this nasty biotech company.
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