Ban Genetically Engineered Foods and Crops.

• Author: Russow, Joan
• Position: Brief Article

For too long the dialogue around genetically engineered foods and crops has been around the issue of labeling. Given the unattended consequences of this technology, and the emerging science related to its hazards, coupled with the global commitment to the precautionary principle, it becomes imperative to institute a complete ban on genetically engineered foods and crops. The essence of the precautionary principle is that where there is a threat to the environment and to human health the lack of scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason to postpone measures to prevent the threat. Too often governments wait for harm to occur before acting and consequently we are living in the wake of years of negligence related to practices and substances introduced into the ecosystem.

Government/Corporate Collusion

Government and industry are again being negligent with the introduction of genetically engineered foods (euphemistically called "novel foods"). These genetically engineered foods have been approved in Canada at least since 1994: insectresistant corn, high oleic acid canola, Glufosinate tolerant corn, Glyphosate Tolerant canola, Colorado Potato Beetle resistant potato etc. Once approved using Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Novel Foods (Health Canada, 1994) growers can buy seeds from anywhere. In addition to the foods and crops already registered for use throughout Canada, there are field trials of genetically engineered foods and crops. The whereabouts of these trial fields is withheld because of fear of vandalism.

The federal government and all provincial governments have been promoting and facilitating the registration of genetically engineered food and crops euphemistically called "novel foods" in Canada.

Agriculture Canada along with other government departments has prepared an open-for-business brochure, Investing in Canada's Dynamic Agricultural Biotechnology Sector, including a map of Canada with Promo from each province. In this brochure the governments boast that "Thousands of field trials of ag-biotech products are already in process, more than in the entire European Union."

The governments are offering the following enticements:

* "The access to a NAFTA market worth 8.5 trillion dollars (US) in GDP..." Many international companies are locating operations in Canada because it offers secure access to the richest market in the world, North America.

* "Successful partnerships with universities, industry and...