Tuesday, 14 April 2009, 9:19 am
Press Release: GE Free NZ
GM Crop Failure Offers a Cautionary Warning For Farmers
New Zealand farmers must learn from the experience of farmers overseas and resist pressure to weaken regulations around the safety of genetically engineered organisms (GEO’s), from groups promoting their release.
It is a scientifically well recognized fact that genetic engineering can cause the appearance of unexpected very harmful substances. Therefore a very careful procedure is necessary for establishing the safety of GE foods. However this is not the case.
The result of genetic engineering is therefore inherently unpredictable
Gene technology is based on the belief that genes are carriers of single traits. So it was believed that you can transfer traits by transferring single genes. Now it has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt that this is wrong through research organized by the United States National Human Genome Research Institute.
GE FREE NORTHLAND is delighted that Auckland and Northland communities will have an opportunity to air their views on genetic engineering and give their opinion on how the Auckland and Northland councils should deal with field trials and/or commercial releases of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Primary producers and environmental organisations like GE FREE NORTHLAND have praised the innovative work of the Inter Council Working Party.