MEDIA ADVISORY  (via Christie Phillips <[log in to unmask]> )              
For more information contact:
James Bell, Sustain 312-951-8999 x101

Consumers, Farmers, Scientists & Fifteen Foot Puppets to Challenge Biotech
Proponents. 

(Chicago) The antibiotech group, GeneWise will be protesting the impact
biotech food is having on farmers and consumers on May 22 in conjunction
with the National Agricultural Biotechnology Council (NABC) conference at
the Wyndham Hotel. The group will be holding a press conference inside
featuring consumers, farmers, and scientists. Outside, a lively street
theatre protest will take place featuring 15-foot puppets.

WHERE:
St. Clair Room, Wyndham Chicago, 633 North St. Clair

WHEN:
Tuesday May 22 at 1:15pm
(street theatre protest is from noon-2pm)

WHO: 
Percy Schmeiser is a Canadian canola farmer who was sued by Monsanto because
genetically engineered canola seed patented by Monsanto drifted onto his
crop from neighboring fields. Monsanto sued Schmeiser for possession of
their technology, and in the first round, a judge has sided with Monsanto,
requiring that 70 yr. old Schmeiser pay the biotech giant $105,000.
http://percyschmeiser.com/

Michael K. Hansen Ph.D. is a Research Associate with the Consumer Policy
Institute, a division of Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports
magazine), and currently works on biotechnology issues. He is the author of
Biotechnology and Milk: Benefit or Threat? He has been largely responsible
for developing Consumers Union positions on safety, testing and labeling of
genetically engineered food. http://www.consumer.org/

Jim Slama is the publisher of Conscious Choice: The Journal of Ecology and
Natural Living, a five time nominee for Utne Reader's Best of the
Alternative Press Award. He is also the President of Sustain, a public
interest group that promotes organic food and sustainable economics.
http://www.sustainusa.org, http://www.consciouschoice.com

Sophia Suhu is a local Chicago consumer and member of GeneWise. "The biotech
companies' image makers will be in Chicago talking about the problem with
the public's perception of GE foods; our perception is that we believe they
should be talking about the real health and safety problems of these foods
as well as their impact on the family farm."  http://www.genewise.org

Edith Galloway is a conventional farmer in Illinois and Board Member of the
Illinois Stewardship Alliance.  Monsanto has begun to sue family farms
across the United States and Edie is concerned about the implications of the
Schmeiser verdict on her farm and America's farmers.

Street Theatre is being performed by members of GeneWise and Art &
Revolution. This protest is being joined by area farmers, Chicago residents,
and environmental organizations. The street theatre protest is from noon-2pm
on May 22 in front of the Wyndham hotel in downtown Chicago.

For more information on the NABC conference:
http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/research/nabc2001/welcome.html

<END>

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