The Green Party of San Diego endorses Biojustice actions

The Green Party of San Diego endorses Biojustice actions

This weekend, San Diego hosts two important events: The BIO2001 conference where executives and scientists will plan the future of the biotechnology industry around the world, and the Biojustice conference organized by a coalition of environmental and social justice activists concerned about the impact of biotechnology on our health and on the environment.

In addition to daily Biojustice seminars and talks from experts around the world, there will be a rally, and march on Sunday, June 24 starting at 10am. The GPSD endorses and supports Biojustice 2001 efforts to educate and mobilize the public for the conference in June 22 and 23. GP members also agreed to organize a contingency that would take part in the main permitted

march on Sunday, June 24 at 12:30pm from Balboa Park to the Convention Ctr. Local GP members have helped organize Biojustis this year. Please come out and show your support. Wear green and meet Sunday at the corner of Presidents Way and Park Blvd. in Balboa Park before 12:30pm.

Many Green Party members work in the biotechnology industry, and the Green Party of San Diego supports molecular-biological research aimed at alleviating disease and suffering, understanding our evolutionary history, investigating crime, and its many other important applications. However, we feel the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMO's) into the food supply in the United States has been done without adequate consumer and environmental protections.

For example, contamination by artificially constructed or transplanted genes could have devestating impacts on indigenous species and natural ecosystems around farms. While the health effects of GMO's has received some consideration in the media and by the industry, the environmental impact have been largely ignored.

Anytime a gene is artificially constructed, modified, or transplanted from one species to another, it is impossible for scientists to predict all the affects the new gene will have on the plant or animal receiving it. Thus, the potential for adverse effects on health are numerous, and we cannot afford to trust the biotechnology industry to regulate itself. The recent case of taco shells made with Starlink corn reveals how blase the industry has become about feeding us GMO's.

The GPSD supports labeling of food containing GMO's. Consumers should have

the right to know what is in their food. Indeed, we feel consumers should also be provided with information about how their food was grown, e.g. the pesticides and herbicides used. The recent change in the laws for labeling organic foods was a small step in the right direction. The GPSD strongly supports the farming and purchasing of organic foods without GMO's.

The GPSD is against patents on DNA sequences of natural organisms, especially the patenting of the human genome. Our genetic heritage belongs to everyone.

We are also suspicious of the multi-million dollar public relations campaig by the biotechnology industry is waging to convince Americans that the biotechnology industry will solve the world's hunger problems. There is more food per capita in the world now than ever before, and hunger is largely a crisis of politics, not of farming methods. Those promoting GE food production estimate there would be an increase of 10% to 15% of food available worldwide. If this is truly the goal of the biotechnology industry, they should promote organic farming which would improve food production by 80%.

The Green Party encourages all of its members to attend the Biojustice events, to learn more about GMO's and biotechnology, and to make informed choices about foods that they buy.