Genetic Engineering Links

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Food Standards

GE food is regulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
For information about GE food labelling laws in Australia.

The Australian Consumers' Association (ACA), a research, educational and campaign not-for-profit organization, deals with consumer rights. Greenpeace and ACA won a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) about misleading labels stating “not genetically modified” on chicken, when in fact no GE chicken exist anywhere in the world.

Genetic Engineering Applications: Impact and Implications

GE Farming (Canola and Bt Cotton)

Ecologists at CSIRO concludes studies on the impacts of growing GE Canola done in the UK are relevant to Australia (PDF, 311.7Kb, 18pp)

GE crop ‘Bt cotton’ research reveals significant quantities of Bt toxin. Bt Cotton was approved by the Office of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and released in Australia.

A summary of recent research on soils and GE now available from the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH).

Network of Concerned Farmers, an Australian network of conventional and organic farmers is concerned about the economic, environmental and social impacts of genetically modified crops. Has established Cropwatch, a voluntary community crop monitoring programs in VIC and SA. The impacts of genetically modified Canola is one of their main concerns.

Farming Solutions, a not-for-profit network offers farming systems and solutions for third world countries.

Contamination is known to take place between GE and non-GE crops. The Percy Schmeiser case illustrates the problems contamination can cause.

Study by Dr Mary Rieger (Adelaide University) on cross-pollination dynamics and GE canola.

Market Access Issues for GM Products. Implications for Australia by M. Foster, P. Berry & J. Hogan, report on international trade in GM grains and country policies.
To download report, go to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's website.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural Research and Economics, ABARE estimates that a small percentage of canola crop planted with GE will mean extensive costs to both GE and non-GE supply chains. The Union of Concerned Scientists, UCS is a nonprofit alliance of citizens and scientists for environmental solutions.

Seeds are critical to agricultural production, independence of farmers, purity and diversity of food supply and biodiversity. "Transgenic Contaminants in the Traditional Seed Supply" is a groundbreaking study done by the Union of Concerned Scientists on how genetically engineered (GE) DNA is contaminating the traditional seeds of three major US crops.

Australia, Patents and Biopiracy

Australia has been granted controversial patents which have been withdrawn in the EU. ETC group is a research and analysis action group on erosion, technology and concentration, which works both globally and regionally, in partnership with civil society organizations & the community.
Downloadable reports and papers available on their site.

Contrary to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Australia’s indigenous people have received little or no consideration with regards to the patenting of Australia’s flora and fauna. Greenpeace opposes all patents on genes, plants, humans and human body parts. We regard the biodiversity of this planet to be the common heritage of humankind.

Corporate Crimes

The genetic engineering (GE) issue has an ugly underside. Frequently, corporate spin masks the truth of this global industry. Read the inside stories on the proponents of GE and those who dare to question the technology at Corporate Watch.

The chequered histories of GE companies such as Bayer and Monsanto are revealed at Corporate Watch

Read about the use of child labour in the GE cotton fields of India.

Attacks on Scientists

As scientists critical of GE, Ignazio Chapela and Arpad Pustzai have lost jobs, had their reputations attacked and their results ignored or withdrawn from publication:

www.theava.com/04/0218-chapela.html

www.btinternet.com

www.psrast.org/crsindepsci.htm

More stories on the vilification of scientists can be found at:
www.psrast.org/crsindepsci.htm

Compromised Government & Science

Dr Sue Meek, the Director of the Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) – the body charged with assessing the safety of GE for human health and the environment - has a long work history of promoting the biotech industry. www.gmwatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=278&page=M

Revolving Doors: Monsanto and the Regulators, article by Jennifer Ferrara
reveals Monsanto's manipulation of the regulatory process.

A study from Oxford University shows that industry-funded research is substantially more likely to make findings favourable to the funding organisation than independent work.

Debunking Biotech Spin

PR Watch investigates how the public relations industry and other professional propagandists manipulate public information, perceptions and opinion on behalf of governments and special interests. The site includes exposés of Monsanto and Bayer.

Disinfopedia exposes Monsanto's high level connections to the Bush Administration.

Bayerwatch has monitored chemical and pharmaceutical company Bayer since 1978. Forced by court to change its name, it is now known as Coalition against BAYER-Dangers (CBG).

Read Brian Tokar’s Monsanto: A Checkered History - Who should choose our technologies? looks at Monsanto’s dubious past.

Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M. Smith documents significant health dangers of genetically engineered foods and the intense industry influence and political corruption that allow them on the market. Hailed as the best book on the topic, many believe that the revelations in this book can topple an industry.

Institute of Health and Environmental Research: Australian not-for-profit research institute with a scientific interest in the safety of GMOs, especially in food.

Resources

City Food Growers: An Australian site providing local information on growing and buying local organic food.

Australian Community Foods: Community service connecting growers and consumers, featuring farmers' markets, community supported agriculture and local food networks.

AVCARE, a public relations organisation for some of the major chemical companies, including Monsanto and Bayer. Avcare are the secretariat for the Gene Technology Grains Committee.

Biological Farmers of Australia

Bite Back Citizens Objection: Petition by a coalition of groups against Bush's push for GE through the WTO.

Citizen's GMO challenge to the WTO: Sing the challenge lead my Dr Vandana Shiva, Brian Tokar and Mae-Wan Ho.

Crop Choice: US based website providing information for farmers on GE crops.

Cyber-action: Tell Monsanto where to go!

Discover the meatrix: Outstanding "The Matrix"-like animation about what's happened to animal farming.

ETC - action group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration
Formerly RAFI, one of the first to alert to GE, food security, biopiracy issues and nanotechnology. Excellent research and resources.

GE Food Alert

GE-free Australia: Includes Urgent petition to keep SA free from GE crops!

GeneEthics Network

Genewatch

GRAIN - Genetic Resources Action International, an international non-governmental organisation, promotes the sustainable management and use of agricultural biodiversity based on people's control over genetic resources and local knowledge.

Keep Western Australia GM-free: The Wilderness Society's campaign with links to make submissions to government.

Network of Concerned Farmers: A network of grassroots conventional and organic farmers who are opposed to the release of GE canola in Australia. Check out their website for the latest news about the campaign from a farmer's perspective.

PUREFOODNZ: NZ's chefs and restauranteurs protecting their culinary produce from GM.

South Australian Genetic Food Information Network (SAGFIN)

Stop Food Irradiation in Australia

The Slow Food Movement: Advocating a culture of good food in our lives

Union of Concerned Scientists