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genetic engineering
FOR MORE IN DEPTH INFORMATION, VISIT: [BIOTECH IMC] Genetic engineering, which involves splicing DNA from one organism into a completely unrelated organism, threatens our health, ecosystems, and our food supply. Genetic engineers are responsible for increasing corporate control, performing inhumane animal experiments, contaminating food crops, and exploiting people in the global South. Dr. Mae-Wan Ho states, "The large-scale release of transgenic organisms is much worse than nuclear weapons or radioactive nuclear wastes, as genes can replicate indefinitely, spread and recombine." Although the corporations responsible, such as Monsanto, are failing in their struggle to force this dangerous technology on the rest of the world, the US is far behind in its resistance. You can help change that. (Introduction brought to you by NW RAGE)
From the open publishing newswire:
Photos and an 11 minute clip from the Portland March Against Monsanto.March Against Monsanto Clip features a walk by of the entire march, punctuated by excerpts from an earlier speech by Paul Cienfuegos. Crowd size estimates varied, but I stood in the street and taped the entire march, 11 minutes in length. In these excerpts from his speech, Cienfuegos relates how the Founding Fathers designed our Constitution to erect and protect the elite and also how our regulatory agencies continue that effort. Our country was designed to suit business and corporations and was not founded as a Democracy. Photos are from the Rally and March. Portland outdid it's usual creativity with signage. One can glean the immensity of the protest message from these signs alone.
From the open publishing newswire:
About 3,000 people took to the streets today in the "March Against Monsanto" as part of a global day of protest in countries around the world. Over 2 million people protested worldwide against Monsanto's rapacious practices to control seeds and produce genetically modified food. Critics of genetically modified food warn of its dangers, including serious health problems, destruction of bees, environment, organic food supplies and seeds. Many people are outraged that the giant corporation is scheming to control the seeds of many plants through patents. Many people are also angry that Congress recently rejected a bill requiring the labelling of genetically modified foods.
For more photos, go to  http://www.flickr.com/photos/joyofresistance/sets/72157633703646042/
From the open publishing newswire:
On May 25th, activists around the world will unite to 'March Against Monsanto.' The event will begin at 11am Pacific time in US cities. Portlanders will begin the event in Holladay Park and march peacefully through the Lloyd District Neighborhood. Area community members are coming together via Facebook to join in the effort, exercise their First Amendment rights and bring awareness to the growing controversy over ethical concerns surrounding the political influence of the multinational biotech corporation Monsanto and the safety of the genetically modified foods it produces.
Thank you all so very much for your concern for the well being of not just yourself but the rest of the world. If you would like to volunteer, please send an email to  marchagainstmonsantopdx@gmail.com. Again, thank you so very much!
https://www.facebook.com/events/395696743860924/
From the open publishing newswire:
WISCONSIN - January 4 - Over the holidays, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its approval of a novel strain of genetically engineered corn, developed by Monsanto, purportedly being "drought tolerant."
Despite receiving nearly 45,000 public comments in opposition to this particular genetically engineered (GE) corn variety (and only 23 comments in favor), the Obama administration gave Monsanto the green light to release its newest GE corn variety freely into the environment and American food supply, without any governmental oversight or safety tracking. [ Related: Bt Crops Failures & Hazards
From the open publishing newswire:
This morning 30 protesters from Earth First! have shut down the BASF UK headquarters (1) at Cheadle Hulme near Manchester (2), to highlight the company's role in pushing GM onto our plates. BASF is planning to run the UK's only trial of GM crops this year, a trial of blight resistant potatoes.
The protesters arrived early in the morning at the flagship offices and have since been blockading the gate by sitting in front of it and locking on sing d-locks and other equipment. They are successfully preventing any staff from entering and are demanding the company pull out of GM immediately. They have also hung a giant 30 x 10ft banner reading "No To GM". The protesters are planning to blockade the gate for several hours.
From the open publishing newswire:
There is a new participant in the international deliberations on global warming and agrofuels: the biotechnology industry. The corporate giants of the genetics industry propose new technologies, including genetically modified trees, second generation cellulosic ethanol, and synthetic biology, to wean society off fossil fuels and fight climate change.
The implications for Latin America are breathtaking. The biotechnology industry's massive move into the energy sector brings together major social and ecological issues in the region, such as agrofuel promotion, genetically modified (GM) crops, and the growth of agribusiness monocultures. Latin American civil society's aspirations of land reform, environmental protection, alternatives to neoliberalism, and food and energy sovereignty, are at stake. http://www.nwrage.org
From the open publishing newswire:
A field planted with experimental oilseed rape a decade ago found transgenic specimens were still growing there despite intensive efforts over the years to remove the seeds, according to researchers in Sweden. This is the first time a genetically modified crop has endured so long and critics say it shows that genetically modified organisms cannot be contained once released.
"We should assume that GM organisms cannot be confined, and ask instead what will become of them when they escape."
From the open publishing newswire:
A field planted with experimental oilseed rape a decade ago found transgenic specimens were still growing there despite intensive efforts over the years to remove the seeds, according to researchers in Sweden. This is the first time a genetically modified crop has endured so long and critics say it shows that genetically modified organisms cannot be contained once released.
"This study confirms that GM crops are difficult to confine," said Professor Mark Westoby, a plant ecologist from Macquarie University in Australia. "We should assume that GM organisms cannot be confined, and ask instead what will become of them when they escape."
From the open publishing newswire:
A corporate agri-tech giant with its fingers prodding suspiciously around Cascadia has blood on its hands, and you should know about it. Agri-giant Syngenta has secretly tested its genetically modified crops on Oregon farmland, against the will of the majority of Cascadians. This same transnational corporation secretly helped to funnel more than $5 million into an Oregon election to defeat a ballot measure that would have required, for the first time in the nation, that GM crops be labeled before being foisted off on consumers. Bizarrely, Syngenta is also a sustaining member of the "Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation," a pro-industry propaganda generator that seeks to colonize the minds of our children. And now, Syngenta is a corporate killer.
From the open publishing newswire:
Greenpeace volunteers in Romania quarantined a whole island where GM soya crops are being grown, which is illegal under EU law. Vehicles leaving Braila island were hosed down by people wearing white biohazard suits to prevent genetic contamination spreading to the mainland. Even a donkey and cart were washed and made GM-free!
Greenpeace, 5 September 2007 http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/gm/gm-quarantine-in-romania-20070905
http://www.nwrage.org
From the open publishing newswire:
On June 1, 2007 the United States Justice Department gave the green light for Monsanto's $1.5 billion takeover of the world's largest cotton seed company, Delta & Pine Land (D&PL) -- the US company that developed and patented the world's first Terminator seed technology.
Terminator seeds are genetically engineered to be sterile after first harvest and were developed to stop farmers from saving seed. "As the biggest seed company in the world, Monsanto stands to gain the most by incorporating Terminator technology into all its seeds, thus forcing farmers to buy new seed every year" said Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network.
From the open publishing newswire:
An important element in the struggle in Oaxaca is the defence and protection of the precious and unfortunately seriously threatened spiritual,environmental and agricultural natural resources of their state. Oaxaca is the birthplace of corn in the world, and the US is now aggressively and deviously manipulating Mexican economic structures to force the importation of vast quantities of US GM maize. This is an issue of URGENT importance, both for Oaxaca, Mexico and the world.
From the open publishing newswire:
The Zapatista community is selling GMO-free Mayan corn. The seed is being sent all over the world in an effort to save an old lineage. Mutated corn seed is being planted by corporate interests to destroy this old lineage. The money from the sale of the corn will be used to build Chiapas schools. Sow the seeds of resistance and join the growing movement against transgenic contamination of Mayan corn in Chiapas, Mexico!
By planting Zapatista corn, you become a part of a global effort to preserve a vital genetic heritage that has evolved over thousands of years. You can plant these powerful Zapatista corn seeds in your community, farm, home, school, or family gardens. These seeds have been donated by Zapatista farmers who hope and pray that people of conscience around the world will provide respectful sanctuary for this living part of their cultural heritage. Despite massive importation from the USA of corn carrying genetic modifications, the autonomous Mayan communities in Chiapas are dedicated to keeping their corn pure and natural. To find out more about this seed go to: http://www.schoolsforchiapas.org/english/get-involved/grow-zapatista-gmo-free-corn.html |
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