LISTSERV mailing list manager LISTSERV 16.5

Help for SCIENCE-FOR-THE-PEOPLE Archives


SCIENCE-FOR-THE-PEOPLE Archives

SCIENCE-FOR-THE-PEOPLE Archives


SCIENCE-FOR-THE-PEOPLE@LIST.UVM.EDU


View:

Message:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Topic:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Author:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

Font:

Proportional Font

LISTSERV Archives

LISTSERV Archives

SCIENCE-FOR-THE-PEOPLE Home

SCIENCE-FOR-THE-PEOPLE Home

SCIENCE-FOR-THE-PEOPLE  April 2002

SCIENCE-FOR-THE-PEOPLE April 2002

Subject:

Biotechnology Basics & Statements at Biosafety Protocol Meeting in The Hague

From:

Sam Anderson <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Science for the People Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>

Date:

Tue, 30 Apr 2002 07:31:53 -0700

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (297 lines)

NOTE: The rate at which huge global capitalist biotech-centered
corporations are impacting on what we eat and our environment
is growing exponentially. This alarming rate now has a direct
impact on each and everyone of us everytime we breathe... everytime
we eat. We are not yet at the stage of irreversibility. But,
that is less than a generation away! As you will see below, there
are people the world over organizing and fighting this eco- and
bio-madness.

We need to stay informed and find ways to actively link our various
struggles to this battle against the Earth's ecological system.
We especially need to resist all attempts to transform us into
Living Modified Corporate Organisms whose only allegiance is
to the production, consumption of and submission to corporate
junk.

S. E. Anderson

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
-----Original Message-----
>From: Wytze de Lange [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent: Monday, April 29, 2002 07:37
>Subject: [IndusFarming] Statements at Biosafety Protocol meeting
in The Hague
>
>
>The past three weeks the meeting of the parties to the Convention
of Biological Diversity and the Intergovernmental Committee on
the Cartegena Protocol (ICCP 3) of the Biosafety Protocol took
place in The Hague (Netherlands).
-------------------------------------------

NOTE: Basic Information on Biotechnology:

What is biotechnology?

For millennia, humans have artificially altered the genetic makeup
of plants and animals through breeding selection and cross-fertilization.
Since the early 1970s, however, modern biotechnology has enabled
scientists to transfer genetic material (DNA - the biochemical
instructions governing the development of cells and organisms)
through biochemical means and to radically alter the intricate
genetic structure of individual living cells. They can now introduce
a great diversity of genes into plants, animals, and micro-organisms
almost instantly. For the first time, humanity has the power
to transfer genes from one type of organism to another- for example,
to insert genes from a bacterium into a tomato to create a transgenic
plant. Modern biotechnology means the application of:

a. In vitro nucleic acid techniques, including recombinant deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA) and direct injection of nucleic acid into cells or
organelles, or

b. Fusion of cells beyond the taxonomic family, that overcome
natural physiological reproductive or recombination barriers
and that are not techniques used in traditional breeding and
selection.


What are Living Modified Organisms (LMOs)?

LMOs are any living organism that possesses a novel combination
of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology;
they include a variety of food crops that have been genetically
modified for greater productivity or for resistance to pests
or diseases. Common examples include tomatoes, grains, cassava
(a starchy root grown in Sub-Saharan Africa and other tropical
areas), corn, and soybeans. Seeds for growing new crops are particularly
important because they are used intentionally to propagate LMOs.
Living organism means any biological entity capable of transferring
or replicating genetic material, including sterile organisms,
viruses and viroids.

What are LMO products?

LMOs form the basis of a range of products and agricultural commodities.
Citing the precautionary principle, some experts cite the risk
that pieces of DNA remaining in these non-living products could
possibly replicate under certain conditions; others consider
this to be extremely unlikely. Processed products containing
dead modified organisms or non-living LMO components include
certain vaccines; drugs; food additives; and many processed,
canned, and preserved foods. Depending on the precise definition,
they can also include corn and soybean derivatives used in many
foods and nonfoods, cornstarch used for cardboard and adhesives,
fuel ethanol for gasoline, vitamins, vaccines and pharmaceuticals,
and yeast-based foods such as beer and bread.

What are the potential risks?

Biotechnology is a very new field, and much about the interaction
of LMOs with various ecosystems is not yet known. The introduction
of genetically modified organisms should not proceed faster than
advances in scientific understanding. Some of the concerns about
the new technologies include unintended changes in the competitiveness,
virulence, or other characteristics of the target species; the
possibility of adverse impacts on non-target species (such as
beneficial insects) and ecosystems; the potential for weediness
in genetically modified crops (a plant becomes too resistant
and invasive, perhaps by transferring its genes to wild relatives);
and the stability of inserted genes (the possibilities that a
gene will lose its effectiveness or will be re-transferred to
another host). A specific example that has recently been cited
involves the insertion of protease inhibitor genes (PIs) into
plants; these small proteins interfere with enzymes in the intestinal
tracts of insects and can disrupt development and destroy larvae
in both pests and beneficial insects. Similarly, Bt-toxins engineered
into a wide range of transgenic plants may build up in the soil
and harm pollinators and other beneficial insects.

What is biosafety?

Biosafety is a new term used to describe efforts to reduce and
eliminate the potential risks resulting from biotechnology and
its products. It is based on the precautionary principle, which
states that the lack of full scientific certainty should not
be used as an excuse to postpone action when there is a threat
of serious or irreversible damage. While developed countries
that are at the center of the global biotechnology industry have
established domestic biosafety regimes, many developing countries
are only now starting to establish their own national systems.

Why is biotechnology also a trade issue?

The commercialization of biotechnology has spawned
multi-billion-dollar industries for foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals
that continue to grow at a dramatic pace. Under World Trade Organization
(WTO) regulations, the regulation of trade must be based on "sound
scientific knowledge". Under environmental regimes, the agreed
standard of proof is the precautionary principle. The WTO also
does not accept socio-economic concerns, such as the risk that
exports of genetically engineered crops may replace traditional
ones and undermine local cultures and traditions in importing
countries. The subsidiary agreements of the WTO, including the
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS), Technical Barriers
to Trade Agreement (TBT), and the Agreement on Trade-Related
Intellectual Property (TRIPs), also contain specific provisions
that apply to the biosafety issue.

Why is an international Biosafety agreement needed?

The objectives of the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity
are "the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable
use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the
benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources."
There is growing public concern about the potential risks posed
by living modified organisms. A particular concern is that many
developing countries lack the technical, financial, and institutional
means to address biosafety. They need greater capacity for assessing
and managing risks, establishing adequate information systems,
and developing expert human resources in biotechnology. While
many countries with modern biotechnology industries do have domestic
legislation, there are no binding international agreements covering
LMOs that cross national borders because of trade or accidental
releases. An international regime is needed now while the biotechnology
industry is still young and major errors have not yet been committed.



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
>---
>PLEASE CIRCULATE
>1. NGO Statement
>2. African Draft Resolution On Genetic Contamination Of Centers
>of Origin And Diversity
>---
>
>NGO Statement
>Final Plenary
>Third Intergovernmental Conference on the Cartagena Protocol
>The Hague - April 26, 2002
>
>The NGO Caucus appreciates the constant efforts of
>many delegates to address the important issues to
>prepare for when the Cartagena Protocol comes into
>force. However, we regret that no substantial progress
>was made this week. We continue to urge countries to
>speedily ratify the Protocol so that a MOP in the near
>future will be able to finalize these points.
>
>The NGO Caucus, on behalf of civil society, wants to
>emphasize the following issues:
>
>1) We reiterate our call for and immediate moratorium
>on all releases of LMOs until a rigorous biosafety
>regime is in place. In addition, we call for a ban on
>LMO imports and releases, especially in or near
>centers of origin and centers of diversity. The need
>for such measures is clearly shown, for exampl, by the
>recent cases of the contamination of maize in Mexico,
>by the Starlink scandal in the United States and by
>the economic damages suffured by the Canadian canola
>and organic farmers. Self-congratulatory statements
>will not mitigate the widespread contamination of
>cultivars and centers of biodiversity.
>
>2) Furthermore, these tragic cases powerfully
>illustrate the urgent need for an international regime
>of strict liability and redress. We deeply regret that
>the delegations of ICCP3 did not agree on terms of
>reference for the establishment of an Open Ended Ad
>Hoc Working Group for identifying elements of such a
>liability and redress regime. In the meantime, an
>adequate retroactive compensation fund should be
>established and maintained by the exporters and
>producers.
>
>3) The coming into force of the Protocol is crucial to
>protect countries currently being pressured by
>exporters to accept LMOs without adequate risk
>assessment or regulatory oversight. These pressures
>again illustrate the need for the Precautionary
>Principle as an internationally recognized right of
>decision makers of countries to refuse imports until
>they have developed their capacity and to decide for
>themselves, on a case by case assessment, how to
>proceed.
>
>4) We strongly support a system of meaningful unique
>identifiers for all LMOs based on reliable and precise
>detection methods for event specific molecular
>characterization data such as PCR. Such an inclusive
>identification system must be tied to the information
>bases in the Biosafety Clearing House.
>
>5) We call for the transformation of the current
>Biosafety Clearing House demonstration model into an
>equitable, reliable, transparent and user-friendly
>system, which is critical for implementation fo an
>effective Protocol and for public participation.
>
>6) While we appreciate the financial efforts of some
>industrialized countries to help developing countries
>to participate in the Biosafety process, these efforts
>have not been sufficient and we urge far greater
>support so that full representation is possible.
>
>7) The Convention and Protocol are international
>environmental agreements and not international trade
>treaties. We emphasize that economic costs should not
>be used by LMO exporting countries as an excuse for
>inadequate biosafety measures.
>
>The NGO Caucus is appalled by the obstructionist
>tactics of a few delegations this week, although we do
>appreciate the flexibility that other delegations have
>shown in seeking to achieve an agreement. We call on
>these delegates to continue to use all their political
>space and flexibility to further ratification and
>strict implementation of the Protocol. The recent
>contamination scandals make it perfectly clear that
>the Protocol must come into force as soon as
>possible.
>---
>
>2. African Draft Resolution On Genetic Contamination
>Of Centers of Origin And Diversity
>
>Third Intergovernmental Conference on the Cartagena Protocol
>The Hague - April 26, 2002
>
>Recognizing that the objective of the protocol is to
>ensure the protection of biological diversity and
>human health in the field of transfer of LMOs focusing
>on their transboundary movement;
>
>Taking not of the information received during the
>ICCP3 on the unintended transboundary movement of LMOs
>and the genetic contamination of centers of origin and
>of diversity of important crops;
>
>- Invites Parties and other Governments,
>Intergovernmental and Non-Governmental Organizations
>to provide information to the Executive Secretary on
>reports of the transboundary movement of LMOs, the
>unintended genetic contamination of centers of origin,
>or genetic diversity and the distribution fo
>transgenes into farmers' varieties through
>cross-pollination and to report to COP/MOP
>
>- Requests the Executive Secretary to compile a report
>of the transboundary movement of LMOs, the unintended
>genetic contamination of centers of origin, genetic
>diversity and the distribution of transgenes into
>farmers' varieties through cross-pollination and to
>report to COP/MOP.
>
>
>*********************************************************************
>"The first duty of a revolutionary is to be educated."   —José
Martí
>*********************************************************************
>The Theater of the Oppressed Laboratory   http://www.toplab.org
>*********************************************************************
>
>

Top of Message | Previous Page | Permalink

Advanced Options


Options

Log In

Log In

Get Password

Get Password


Search Archives

Search Archives


Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Subscribe or Unsubscribe


Archives

September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
July 2002
June 2002
May 2002
April 2002
March 2002
February 2002
January 2002
December 2001
November 2001
October 2001
September 2001
August 2001
May 2001
March 2001
February 2001
January 2001
December 2000
November 2000
October 2000
September 2000
August 2000
July 2000
May 2000
April 2000
March 2000
February 2000
January 2000
December 1999
November 1999
October 1999
September 1999
August 1999
July 1999
June 1999
May 1999
April 1999
March 1999
February 1999
January 1999
December 1998
November 1998
September 1998
August 1998
July 1998
June 1998
May 1998

ATOM RSS1 RSS2



LIST.UVM.EDU

CataList Email List Search Powered by the LISTSERV Email List Manager