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Joined: 22 Feb 2004
Posts: 140
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:45 am Post Subject: Vault Sows Seeds of Doomsday Survival
Quote:
Vault Sows Seeds of Doomsday Survival
OSLO - Norway has revealed a plan to build a "doomsday vault" in the Arctic to store two million crop seeds in the event of a global disaster.
The store is designed to hold all the seeds representing the world's crops and is being built to safeguard future food supplies in the event of widespread environmental collapse.
Joined: 05 Nov 2003
Posts: 814
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 10:31 am Post Subject:
Seems like a good idea to me and possibly a very necessary move. Could this also be a safeguard in case of a situation where terminator seeds and GE experimentation could leave us in the position of having to go back to the original status of some crops, I wonder?
Joined: 22 Feb 2004
Posts: 140
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 1:35 pm Post Subject:
Hi Mel,
I wholeheartedly agree with your post on this topic, particularly in linking it with terminator seeds and GE experimentation.
I was interested to learn that the experimental drug TGN1412, that has very nearly killed six human clinical trial volunteers in the UK this week is described as:
"...a humanised monoclonal antibody, a genetically engineered protein that is part mouse but mostly human."
It seems that no one predicted the human effects of this drug and that trials in animals yielded no similar results.
We are told similar things about GE crops, especially food crops - except that it is the public at large being experimented on - not clinical volunteers.
Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:05 pm Post Subject: WHO IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS ON OUR BEHALF ???
Quote:
NZ's Backing for Monsanto's "Terminator" seeds Prompts Global Battle for Ban
The decision by US company Monsanto to commercialise "Terminator" gene technology to creates sterile seeds that farmers cannot replant, has shocked communities around the world. The move has prompted a global campaign to have Terminator banned (see www.banterminator.org), and has put the spotlight on the New Zealand government's shocking support for Terminator despite worldwide opposition.
The New Zealand government refuses to accept that there has ever been a de-facto moratorium on Terminator established by governments in 2000, and is backing the biotechnology industry's attempt to remove it.
"The New Zealand government's stance is a betrayal of basic values that most New Zealanders hold dear, and brings enormous shame," says Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ in food and environment.
In October 1999, then-CEO of Monsanto, Robert Shapiro, wrote in an open letter to the head of the Rockefeller foundation, "I am writing to let you know that we are making a public commitment not to commercialize sterile seed technologies, such as the one dubbed 'Terminator.'" But now Monsanto has changed its plans and says it will introduce Terminator in non-food crops. Monsanto's change of heart shows that its promises are not to be trusted, and that 'Terminator' technology must be banned.
GE Free NZ in food and environment is amongst over 300 organisations to sign up in support of the ETC Group's petition for all nations to come to consensus and block the deliberate creation of seed that becomes infertile after the first generation.
'Terminator' and other GURTS (Genetic Use Restriction Technologies) are widely seen as a threat to sustainability, food security and the livelihoods of billions of people reliant on food from seed saved each year for replanting the next, and the technology is widely considered a crime against humanity. At a recent subsidiary meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (known as the Working Group on 8j), Australia, backed by the New Zealand government introduced text recommending that Terminator technologies be approached on a "case by case risk assessment" basis. This language echoes Monsanto's new 'pledge'. The intention behind the 'case by case' approach is to see Terminator plants regulated just like any other GMO - ignoring the uniquely devastating societal impacts of seed sterility. "Backing Terminator puts us on the wrong side of history and on the wrong side of the battle for global social justice and sustainability," says Mr Carapiet.
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"Terminator is a fundamental threat not just to farmers and the environment but also to social justice and food security. Terminator is an anathema to Christian and most other religious traditions, and to Maori and indigenous peoples around the world. The Labour lead government and MP's from the Progressive, New Zealand First and United Future Parties, must stop this betrayal of the common good and ensure New Zealand support the ban on Monsanto's Terminator technology", says Mr Carapiet.
Terminator technology was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture and US seed company Delta & Pine Land to prevent farmers from saving and re-using harvested seed, forcing them to buy new seeds each season. The technology has never been field tested and is not yet commercially available, although Delta & Pine Land is now testing Terminator plants in greenhouses and vows to commercialize them.
After delaying for many years, the European Patent Office has recently granted a patent on this technology. The next stage of the battle is expected at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Curitiba, Brazil (March 20-31 2006).
"The world is watching and New Zealand must keep faith with the peoples of the world or see our standing in the family of nations forever undermined." says Mr.Carapiet
Quote:
New Zealand's position on terminator technology at the UN Convention on Biodiversity shows a reckless disregard for biosafety and for international opinion, says Green Party Environment Spokesperson Nandor Tanczos.
Terminator technology is a branch of genetic engineering which produces plants with sterile seeds. It is of particular concern to poor farmers in developing countries because it would force them to be reliant on seed companies year by year for their food security and well-being.
"We are acting like a lout on the world stage. Just as last week we were isolated and condemned on labelling of genetically modified organisms, this week we seem determined to vandalise an international agreement on terminator technology," Nandor says.
Nandor questioned Foreign Minister Winston Peters extensively in Parliament three weeks ago over the stance Foreign Affairs officials were likely to take on this issue at the convention, but received no straight answer from the Minister.
Now, cabinet papers released to the Sustainability Council under the Official Information Act show that New Zealand is seeking the option to authorise field trials for genetically engineered plants that produce sterile seeds, despite the fact that a de facto moratorium on terminator technology has been in place by international consensus since 2000.
"Once again, New Zealand is sticking out like a sore thumb on genetic engineering, for no apparent reason. Our stance on this issue has brought international condemnation and concern from governments and environment groups alike," Nandor says.
"New Zealanders are proud of our reputation as a good international citizen, but this reputation is being seriously undermined by the positions we have taken on these issues in Brazil.
"To its credit, the Government did shift its position at Cartagena last week, and back down from being the only country standing in the way of an international agreement on labelling of genetically modified organisms traded across borders.
"I can only hope that officials will see fit to do the same on terminator technology this week," Nandor says.
the technology is widely considered a crime against humanity
Quite right :!:
Deano, it would be interesting to know where you have taken these quotes from.....if you could post the links as well as some detail about where the quote was from that would be good.
Joined: 05 Nov 2003
Posts: 814
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:21 am Post Subject:
Couldn't agree more with the crime against humanity analysis. And yes please Deano, some indication of the sources and dates would be helpful on this one...
The other one was from the Green Parties site I think. I also found this while looking just now.
Quote:
GE Free New Zealand in Food & Environment, 16th February 2005
Minister Misleading Public Over Terminator Trials
GE Free NZ in food and Environment believe Marian Hobbs is deliberately misleading the public about New Zealand's backing for Terminator genes at an international conference. Worse, she may be covering up the fact that similar technology is already being trialled in the field in this country.
Following the UN conference on Biodiversity the Minister has been called on to support an international moratorium on development of Terminator seeds until the fundamental societal issues have been scrutinised by the world community.
She has refused to do so and has dodged the question. But she has also not been honest about the fact that ERMA appear to have already approved trials of a different "GURT" (Genetic Use Restriction Technique) at Rotorua.
Firstly the Minister misled the media and the public when she implied she is being unreasonably asked to support a "ban" rather than a moratorium on Terminator seeds. Her press statement says "Marian Hobbs rejected a call (to (support a) ban on field tests for "terminator genes" raised in the report" .
This language seems to be a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the situation as revealed by the Minister's personal response to messages about Terminator seeds where she states:" It is important to note that countries are not presently being asked to vote on banning or otherwise of the use of GURTs" .
What's more the Minster's main advisors have allowed the misleading impression to go uncorrected as a way to avoid the question about a worldwide moratorium on Terminator seeds.
By talking in generalisations about GURTS but not specifically about Terminator seeds, Marian Hobbs is dodging the ethical question facing the international community.
She is also hiding the fact that ERMA may have approved field trials of GE trees at Rotorua incorporating a GURT. The application for GE pine trees now being grown in New Zealand is understood to include some with the "barnase" gene construct which is another approach to genetic control.
"The government must state their support for the global community over Terminator seeds,and back a moratorium," says Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ in food and environment.
"It must also face up to the fact that - despite opposition from many quarters- ERMA may have quietly allowed GE field trials of another form of GURT to begin in Rotorua"
"People may be angry that it's already starting but that's the way the government is pushing," says Jon Carapiet. " It's for that very reason the public are demanding our government come out clearly in support of the international moratorium on development of Terminator seeds".
The New Zealand government must keep faith with the public and the world by promising GE Terminator in food is not next on the agenda."
In October 1999, then-CEO of Monsanto, Robert Shapiro, wrote in an open letter to the head of the Rockefeller foundation, "I am writing to let you know that we are making a public commitment not to commercialize sterile seed technologies, such as the one dubbed 'Terminator.'"
I thought this comment in the Scoop article was a bit odd. Why is Monsanto reporting to the Rockefeller foundation and not governments or the United Nations?
It states that there are other gene banks around the world that are also saving DNA for animals that face extinction. Good idea but I wonder if this may become yet another lucrative venture for those at the top of corporations and a means to control societies in need. I sincerely hope not. Maybe our government should protect NZ agriculture in this way as well to ensure our free standing in the world in the years to come.
Quote:
Fowler's study concluded that seeds for most major crops could survive for ``hundreds'' of years, and some grain samples may remain viable for ``thousands'' of years in the vault.
The vault isn't the first attempt by scientists and government to preserve the planet's diversity. The Svalbard bank adds to crop collections in about 1,400 gene banks around the world that are supported by the trust. In July 2004, London's Natural History Museum announced a ``Frozen Ark'' project to preserve the DNA of animals that face extinction.
Stoltenberg said that the Norwegian bank will be important to ensure food security, protect crop variety and to help developing nations which lack storage facilities to preserve their natural resources.
``If seeds stored in a commercial gene bank are destroyed, and this has apparently happened about 40 times to date, the contents of this gene bank will make it possible to replace the seeds which have been lost,'' Stoltenberg said. ``It is our final safety net.''
