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From Greenpeace International website:
Genetic Engineering Genetic engineering enables
scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating
genes in a way that does not occur naturally.
These genetically engineered (GE) organisms can
reproduce and interbreed with natural organisms, thereby spreading
to new environments and future generations in an unforeseeable
and uncontrollable way. Their release is "genetic pollution" and
is a major threat because genetically engineered organisms cannot
be recalled once released into the environment. Because of commercial
interests, the public is being denied the right to know about
genetically engineered ingredients in the food chain, and therefore
losing the right to avoid them. While scientific progress on molecular
biology has a great potential to increase our understanding of
nature and provide new medical tools, it should not be used as
justification to turn the environment into a giant genetic experiment.
Biological diversity must be protected and respected as the global
heritage of humankind, and one of our world's fundamental keys
to survival. Governments are attempting to address the threat
of genetic engineering with international regulations such as
the Biosafety Protocol. We believe: Genetically engineered organisms
should not be released into the environment as there is not adequate
scientific understanding of their impact on the environment and
human health. We advocate immediate interim measures such as labelling
of genetically engineered ingredients, and the segregation of
genetically engineered crops from conventional ones. We also oppose
all patents on plants, animals and humans, as well as patents
on their genes. Life is not an industrial commodity. When we force
life forms and our world's food supply to conform to human economic
models rather than their natural ones, we do so at our own peril.
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