By Jeff McDonald

UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

June 25, 2001

They came in costume and in full voice, but mostly they came by the hundreds rather than thousands.

Fewer than 1,000 critics of genetic research marched down Park Boulevard and over to the San Diego Convention Center yesterday, much to the relief of police who staked out the city like rarely before.

Protest organizers put a brave face on the smallish turnout, saying their message was what was most important. Industry officials said the group's size points to wide support for the science.

Police said they expected as many as 8,000 people to join the rally, which was timed to coincide with the leading trade show for biotechnology companies. The city permit to march allowed for 6,000 participants.

"We're not focused on numbers, we're focused on having an honest debate in a town where this kind of dialogue has never happened," said Han Shan of the Ruckus Society, a Bay Area nonprofit that trained some of the protesters.

Biotechnology supporters were pleased about the mild crowds almost to the point of gloating.

"Looks more like Biofizzle than Biodevastation," said Gene Grabowski, a spokesman for the pro-biotech Alliance for Better Foods, referring to the name of the counter-conference.

A swarming police presence that rivaled the population of protesters kept a steady grip on law and order along the parade route and within a designated demonstration area.

Some protesters posed for pictures alongside rows of parked motorcycle officers overseeing the event. One officer grew jittery when someone stopped nearby and opened a bottle to take a drink. "It's just water," the man explained.

At the end of the day, however, law enforcement officials were relieved.

"We feel pretty satisfied about today," said San Diego police spokesman David Cohen. But "we've got three more days to go and we don't know what those will bring."

The biotech trade show lasts through Wednesday.

Gov. Gray Davis helped open the conference last night by welcoming the delegates and praising their impact on medical science. "Collectively, you are the invisible hands of hope," Davis said. "Your work is as complex as the human cell and as crucial as the beat of the human heart."

Officials reported eight more protest-related arrests yesterday -- including two felony concealed weapons charges and an outstanding warrant -- pushing to 10 the total taken into custody since Saturday.

Even so, the mood was peaceful and decidedly nonviolent. Music, drumming and speeches filled the afternoon outside the convention center, where the Bio2001 conference was getting under way.

A banner reading "Biotech Perverts Get Out of Our Genes" hung from balloons high above the rally. Some protesters arrived dressed as butterflies; others came as giant ears of corn or wearing diapers to mock genetic engineering of babies. One man methodically burned holes in an American flag.

"We're not anti-science," said Michael Morris, who came from Los Angeles with his wife to oppose genetic research. "I just don't think they can ever know the impact of moving genes between species."

Several businesses and government agencies and at least one school closed or took special precautions because of the well-publicized rally. The INS information center downtown, for example, is closed today and tomorrow to everyone but those with appointments.

Meanwhile, inside the bay-front meeting hall, thousands of executives and researchers arrived for the convention. Some 15,000 were expected, and because of tight security, registering took more than an hour.

"We have to take it seriously," said Peter Mateyka, who was attending the trade show from Austria. "These are the fears of the people. There's nothing bad about biotechnology, but we have to address the fears."

Joe Panetta, president of the San Diego biotech industry group BioCom, regretted the huge show of force by police but agreed it was necessary. "I'm glad (the protest groups) haven't put together the numbers they talked about, but it's still unfortunate," he said.

Conference attendee Scott Reigstad of Wisconsin wondered how much of the protest was even related to biotechnology.

"There are 'Blame Bush' placards and signs to free death row prisoners," he said, grabbing snapshots of the demonstration outside. "It looks like 'pick your favorite issue and come on down.' "

Behind the convention center, a collection of community health groups and biotech companies participated in HealthFest, an event stressing what the industry calls benefits of genetic research. At a career fair, job seekers sought work while employers hunted for fresh minds.

A steady flow of visitors ambled through Marina Park, but some participants said news reports of potential violence and traffic jams around the trade show may have steered some people away.

Mario Juarez of Being Alive AIDS/HIV Services spent the afternoon telling people about his organization. But he said others from the agency opted out, and he thought about skipping the event himself.

"I was nervous. It sounded scary."

All the publicity and security warnings issued by police may have kept weekend shoppers away from the usually bustling Gaslamp Quarter. Foot traffic was lighter than normal.

"It's a lot quieter," said Robyn Snowden, a fashion consultant for the Splash Wearable Art boutique on Fifth Avenue.

Jolene Prieto, co-owner of Villa Moda boutique on Fifth Avenue, said she thinks most Gaslamp area merchants saw a drop in business due to the biotech conference and related protest.

"Usually when a large convention comes into town, we are packed," she said. "I think the media scared everyone away."



Staff writers Mark Arner, Penni Crabtree, Susan Gembrowski, Gregory Alan Gross, Thomas Kupper, Angela Lau and Marisa Taylor contributed to this report.

If there ever was a company town for the biotech billionaires, San Diego is it, and wants to keep it that way. This week, when critics of genetic engineering, cloning, and the commodification of life planned a small counterprotest, the City of San Diego saw to it that their message was silenced and trivialized, while the protesters were harassed.

It's like David and Goliath, except that there are thousands of Davids being intimidated by the hired thugs of the handful of millionaire Goliaths. It's intimidation against free speech, plain and simple.

If the biotech industries aren't doing anything wrong, then why do they need to worry about large protests? Maybe they *are* doing something wrong. Maybe they were so worried that they'd face real criticism if free speech were allowed during the conference, that they did everything in their power to marshall the forces of the state, police, and local industry to intimidate the millions of people who are questioning the wisdom of barely-regulated biotech.