Debbie Neustadt and I are members of the Sierra Club national Biotechnolgy
Task Force, which did the rewrite of the old 1993 policy.
Tom Mathews
----------------------
----------------------
Subj:         New Biotech Policy adopted by Sierra Club Board
Date:   00-05-21 17:39:17 EDT
From:   [log in to unmask] (Jim Diamond)
Sender: [log in to unmask] (Biotech Forum)
Reply-to:   [log in to unmask] (Biotech Forum)
To: [log in to unmask]

    The Sierra Club Board of Directors today unanimously approved a new,
updated  Biotechnology Policy.  The new policy calls explicitly for a
moratorium on the release of transgenic crops into the environment.  The new
policy was drafted over the past year by the Biotechnology Task Force--the
members of which are also the editors of this CONS-SPST-BIOTECH-FORUM, and
needless to say we're very pleased and excited at this step forward.
    Other highlights of the new policy include:
    -We urge that where there are safer alternatives to the use of GEOs,
these technologies should be given preference.  For example, genetic
engineering solutions should never be used to divert attention from the
solutions to the problem of hunger that carry less biological risk (e. g.
better distribution of food, land reform, sustainable soil conservation
strategies, promotion of regional sustainability, reduced consumption of
animal products, and stabilization of population).
    -All foods containing or produced with genetically engineered material
must be labeled as such.
    -The use of the concept of "substantial equivalence" in order to waive
the need for both pre- and post-marketing testing and surveillance should be
prohibited.
    -Liability issues must be addressed.  Manufacturers of GEOs should be
fully liable for any environmental damage caused by the organisms they
genetically engineer.  The burden of proof must be on the manufacturing
company [to demonstrate safety].
    -Systems which combine the development of herbicide tolerant crops with
reliance on the manufacturer's proprietary herbicides to control competing
plant species should not be instituted.
    -Just as civilized societies have decided that there can be no ownership
of human beings (slaves), we believe that there should be no ownership of
genetic code, which should continue to be the shared common heritage of all.
(No patents on genetic code.)

    There was some minor editing by the Board to increase the Policy's
clarity, so the 100% official version will follow, and will be posted here as
soon as we receive an electronic version.
    Although this isn't a discussion type forum, many of you have
communicated your warm wishes to us during the past year and we're very
grateful for your support and continued interest.
        Jim Diamond

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]