Genetically Engineered Food Links for more Information

There is a lot of information on GE Food emerging. The following have great resources and most of these groups have been reporting on this issue before the mainstream in Europe caught hold of it:

• OneWorld has many resources:
  • Their guide on Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering if very informative.
  • They also have an extensive set of news articles on the issues (which can be seen from the previous link under the Full Coverage heading).
  • Some of these facts are pretty interesting.
  • Food Campaign from OneWorld.net UK looks at the wider issue of food in general, in terms of effects on the environment, health, rural communities, etc. G.E. Food is also covered in this respect.
  • Their guide on Ethical Consumers may be of interest for those who want to find out more about how they can better chose what they do and do not buy.
  
  
• PSRAST, Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Application of Science and Technology, is a global scientific community that presents thorough information and scientific articles and proofs about the potential dangers of genetic modification. This is definitely worth looking at and spending some time over.
  
  
• Research Foundation for Science and Technology, headed by prominent Indian scientist and activist, Vandana Shiva. The foundation works on biodiversity conservation and protecting people's rights from threats to their livelihoods and environment by centralised systems of monoculture in forestry, agriculture and fisheries. The rich web site provides on topics including Biodiversity Conservation, Food Security, Globalisation, Economic Liberalisation, Impact of Structural Adjustment in India, Patenting and Intellectual Property Rights, Biopiracy, Biotechnology, Biosafety, Toxics and Hazardous Wastes, Aquaculture, Plant Breeders' Rights and Farmers' Rights over their seed, Sustainable Agriculture, WTO and GATT. (Note that these issues are all inter-related as well.)
  
  
• Food First; The Institute for Food and Development Policy work to highlight "root causes and value-based solutions to hunger and poverty around the world, with a commitment to establishing food as a fundamental human right" as they mention in their own words. It is a very good site with many informative articles and resources.
  
  
• "Selling Suicide - farming, false promises and genetic engineering in developing countries" from Christian Aid looks into various issue to do with GM Food and its effects on the farmers of the developing nations, the public relation campaigns that have accompanied the issue and more.
  
  
• New Scientist magazine have a very good section on the issue of a genetically modified food.
  
  
• This briefing from the Panos Institute provides an informative look at the issues surrounding GE Food.
  
  
• The campaign web site from Consumer International has regular news updates. They also have a page where you can submit your opinion to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a United Nations agency that sets international food standards. Also worth checking out is this summary of poll results which shows overwhelmingly how many people would like to see GE Foods labeled -- some countries show poll results of nearly 90% of people saying they would like to see labeling.
  
  
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of USA has a section on biotechnology.
  
  
• The Guardian Newspaper has a section on GE Food issues.
  
  
• These Articles from Resurgence Magazine. Another article from these guys is also available and has a thought-provoking first paragraph: "EVER SINCE THE genetic revolution began, biotechnologists have attacked the activists who challenge their work for knowing next to nothing about science, and yet presuming to warn of its consequences. Now it is surely time for the activists to attack some of these biotechnologists for knowing next to nothing about society or the environment, and yet presuming to dismiss social and environmental concerns as irrelevant or misguided."
  
  
• The Campaign to Ban Genetically Engineered Food is a site with hundreds of links and news items. While they are completely against such food, they do provide many useful resources worth checking out.
  
  
• In Motion Magazine has a number of good articles on the topic. A few that come to mind include:
  • An interview with Dr Vandana Shiva, a scientist who leads a fight against biopiracy in India and throughout the world. She is a prominent figure who has written many books and articles on biopiracy, biodiversity etc.
    
    
  • A great informative article called "Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods and Crops: Why We Need A Global Moratorium" This has some great facts and makes some important observations -- worth checking out!
    
    
  • Opposing Genetic Engineering in New Zealand (and around the world) by Bill Christison provides a look at the problems U.S. farmers have had.
  
  
• Friends of the Earth have a good site on Genetically Engineered Food.
  
  
• The Rural Advancement Foundation International (rafi) also has a lot of information.
  
  
• The Union of Concerned Scientists provide a section on biotechnology. It has many thought-provoking articles and resources.
  
  
• The Agroecology in Action web site looks at a scientific discipline that uses ecological theory to study, design, manage and evaluate agricultural systems that are productive but also resource conserving. Biotechnology is one of amongst many issues they look at.
  
  
• Genetix is a site with a lot of informative articles and includes scientific studies, essays, campaigns etc to make people aware about genetic engineering of food.
  
  
• Go-Organic, part of the Envirolink Network has lots of information on organic products.
  
  
• Hundreds of news articles can be found at the Pure Food Campaign web site.
  
  
• Institute of Science in Society Works "to promote science responsible to civil society and the public good, independent of commercial and other special interests, or of government control." It also has many perspectives on genetic engineering.
  
  
• GRAIN, or Genetic Resources Action International, is an organization dedicated to fighting genetic erosion. Numerous articles and briefings are available.