GMO foods
A "No GMO" plate sign sticks out of a 5 tonne pile of corn, dumped by Greenpeace activists in front of the Quebec Liberal Party's headquarters in Montreal, demanding labeling of GM foods.
© Greenpeace / Genevieve Goyette
Greenpeace opposes the release of genetically engineered (GE) crops and animals into the environment based on the precautionary principle. We also oppose patents on plants, animals, humans and genes. Life is not a commodity.
Genetic engineering is the manipulation of genes to create new plants, animals and microorganisms. Multinational corporations have GE crops planted on millions of hectares of land — a giant genetic experiment with unpredictable and possibly irreversible risks.
GE food has been in grocery stores since 1996, but no long-term tests have been done on the impacts on human health. Potential health risks include the development of antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions, nutritional changes and the creation of toxins. GE crops also threaten plant diversity, essential for food security.
How greenpeace is opposes genetic engineering
- Pressuring the government: While Canada is one of the world’s largest producers of GE crops, the system for regulating food biotechnology is extremely weak. We’re urging the government to do more.
- Supporting comprehensive testing: GE crops must undergo rigorous testing to determine their impact on human health and the environment. We support all efforts to do so.
- Advocating interim measures: We want GE crops and seeds segregated from conventional and organic seeds. We want better labelling of GE foods so consumers can make informed decisions. Canada and the United States are the only industrialized countries that do not have mandatory labelling regulations in place.