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CONSORTIUM CALLS FOR SUSPENSION OF RELEASE OF ALL GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ORGANISMS - Press Release
12 November 99 Washington, D.C.: Citing major deficiencies in the government’s regulatory system, a coalition of environmentalists and scientists issued a document today calling for the suspension of all further releases of genetically engineered organisms. The Pacific Declaration was first drafted at a national meeting on July 26-28, 1999 at the Commonweal Conference Center in Bolinas, California. The Declaration cites the failure of governmental agencies to review the long-term prospects for environmental and human harm stemming from genetically engineered organisms. It states in part "…those altering the genetic integrity of natural species bear the burden of proving their interventions will not jeopardize fundamental human values which include respect for life and protecting ecosystems." In light of revelations that unlabeled grocery shelf items contain new, genetically modified ingredients, the signatories demand an effective regulatory system to assure the public’s access to safe food. The 42 co-signers also ask that practitioners of genetic engineering be held liable for any adverse consequences of their work, and call for greater attention to the equitable distribution of the benefits and risks of the products of genetic engineering. Among the groups endorsing the Declaration are the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, the American Corn Growers Association, Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, the Council for Responsible Genetics, the Edmonds Institute, and the Center for Ethics and Toxics (CETOS).
THE PACIFIC DECLARATION We the undersigned, in recognition of the fundamental importance of our planet's natural genetic heritage and diversity, and in acknowledgment of the power of genetic engineering to transform this heritage, believe that the proponents and practitioners of genetic technologies must adhere to the principles of prudence, transparency and accountability. We also aver that respect for life, ensuring a habitable planet, and protecting ecosystems are universally recognized and fundamental human values. For this reason, those altering the genetic integrity of natural species bear the burden of proving their interventions will not jeopardize these values. We also believe in democracy. In democratic societies, any decision to deploy powerful new technologies must be made with full public participation and accountability. To date, our government, international agencies, public universities and biotechnology corporations have neglected these objectives. Therefore we declare: 1) Environmental safety and public health require the systematic study of any transgenically modified living organism over multiple generations before allowing its environmental release or marketing; 2) All proposed products derived from genetic engineering must be shown to contribute to the general welfare of consumers, farmers and society without compromising the viability of traditional agricultural practices, including organic farming; 3) Farmers and agrarian peoples generally who have cultivated, nurtured and developed crops have the right to control their crop materials; 4) Such control includes the right to cultivate indigenous or conventional species using traditional methods, and freely to use or re-use any genetic seed stock; 5) People should have access to all relevant data concerning the potential effect of genetically modified organisms on the health of present or future generations; 6) People have the right to accept or decline any food product for personal, religious or philosophical reasons; 7) In the absence of compelling evidence showing the equivalence and safety of genetically engineered compared to conventional foods, all food products derived from genetic technologies must be accurately labeled; 8) The medical injunction to "do no harm" requires adequate and sufficient pre- and post-market testing and surveillance of genetically engineered products; 9) The present lack of such testing contravenes this injunction and thereby jeopardizes universal access to safe food, potentially putting at risk present and future vulnerable populations including pregnant women and young children; and 10) Because the fundamental discoveries of genetic engineering were developed through public funding, justice requires that any and all risks, costs and benefits of the products of genetic engineering be equitably distributed in society. Until we have guarantees and assurances that the above stated requirements and objectives are no longer compromised by government and industry practices; and Until our government has created a comprehensive and effective regulatory system for all products of genetic engineering; and Until such fundamental and constitutionally guaranteed protections of life and liberty, as well as protection of the health of the environment, food security and consumer right to know are vouchsafed; We call upon our governmental representatives to suspend any further introduction of genetically engineered organisms and to hold the practitioners of genetic engineering, whether they be corporations, universities or governmental agencies fully liable for any adverse consequences of their work. Signatories CONFEREES Alliance
for Bio-Integrity, Campaign
for Food Safety, Center
for Environmental Health, Center
for Ethics and Toxics, Center
for Food Safety Commonweal
The
Constellation Fund Consumer's
Choice Council Corporate
Agribusiness Research Project Council
for Responsible Genetics The
Edmonds Institute Environmental
Health Fund Food
and Farming Forum Food
First/The Institute for Food and Development Policy Foundation
on Economic Trends Friends
of the Earth Institute
for Agriculture and Trade Policy The
Natural Law Party of the USA Occidental
Arts and Ecology Center Pesticide
Action Network of North America Pesticide
Watch Rural
Advancement Foundation International, USA Rural
Vermont Washington
Biotechnology Action Council Western
Sustainable Agriculture Working Group American
Corn Growers Association ADDITIONAL SIGNERS Abiquiu
Organics Alliance
for Democracy of Indiana Association
of State Green Parties, U.S.A. Breast
Cancer Fund Calvary
Church Center
for Environmental Health Community
Health Advocates Earthjustice
Legal Defense Fund Environmental
Health Coalition FarmFolk/CityFolk
Catholic
Healthcare West Collective
Heritage Institute Earth
Justice Ministries Episcopal
Diocese of California, Commission for the Environment Green
Party of St. Louis/Gateway Green Alliance The
Humane Society of the United States Indicators
Program, Redefining Progress Mendocino
Environmental Center Mothers
& Others for a Livable Planet Natural
Resources Defense Council Northwest
Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, Sustainable Agriculture Program
Association Jeff Rast Organic
Consumers Association Our
Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters Physicians
for Social Responsibility Shalom
Center Sierra
Club Soul
of Agriculture Sussex
County Mission of the Episcopal Church & Delmarva Poultry Justice
Alliance Sustainable
Agriculture Working Group Univ.
of Wisconsin - Madison Greens Women's
Cancer Resource Center Texas
Organic Growers Association *organizational affiliation listed for the purpose of identification only Contact: Marc Lappé, Director, CETOS Phone: 707 884-1700 or 707- 884 -1846 FAX email: mlappe@mcn.org
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