US Govt forces biotech on the EU

I have posted recently on Europe's struggle to keep genetically engineered crops out of the the EU, but I'm not sure that I've communicated effectively the lengths that the United States and our biotechnology industry (Monsanto, Pioneer, Dupont, etc) will go to in their efforts to spread biotechnology around the world. This article (http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN2941452420080129?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0) is case in point. US trade representatives are manipulating World Trade Organization (WTO) authority in an effort to force the EU to accept biotechnology. If the EU wants to preserve biodiversity and maintain GMO-free land, why should they not have that right? The "Home of the Free" is most definitely becoming the "Home of the you'll-do-what-we-tell-you-to-or-else!" --- and I for one, don't like it.

And you know what really gets me? On the one hand our goverment is pushing biotechnology on the world and claiming the wonders and safety of its use --- and on the other, they put out calls for research proposals to investigate its safety. USDA CSREES (Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service) - the branch of USDA that funds most food research - released this call this week: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/biotechnologyriskassessment.cfm. Its purpose is to assist Federal regulatory agencies in making science-based decisions about the effects of introducing genetically modified organisms into the environment. Investigations of effects on both managed and natural environments are relevant. Applications must address one of the following areas: 1) Identify and develop practices to minimize risks associated with genetically engineered organisms; 2) Research methods to monitor the dispersal of genetically engineered organisms; 3) Research to increase knowledge about the characteristics, rates, and methods of gene transfer that may occur between genetically engineered organisms, and related organisms; 4) Perform assessments to provide analysis which compares impacts of organisms modified through genetic engineering to other types of production systems.

Does this not effectively indicate that there's still much that needs to be understood before releasing the technology on the earth?


What you can do:

1. Sign the anti-biotech petitions that are linked at the right side of this blog.
2. Urge your reps in Congress to protect the genetic integrity of non-GM crops.
3. Buy organic - our purchases are the most powerful way to force change in production.