Genetic Engineering

Background

Genetic Engineering is an area that has gotten Beyond Pesticides attention in light of the pesticide paradigm that is being pushed in the form of genetically engineered food crops. Whether it is the incorporation into food crops of genes from a natural bacterium (Bt) or the development of a herbicide resistant crop, the approach to pest management is short sighted and dangerous.

Beyond Pesticides publicizes the serious health and pest resistance problems associated with the approach and provides important links to activists working in the pesticide community. Over 70% of all genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are altered to be herbicide-resistant. Our goal is to push for labeling as a means of identifying products that contain genetically engineered ingredients, seek to educate on the public health and environmental consequences of this technology, and generate support for sound ecological-based management systems. This technology should be subject to complete regulatory review, which is currently not the case.

Recent Updates

• The USDA's Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21) recently released its report on coexistence with GE crops, suggesting that organic and non-GE conventional farmers should pay for crop insurance or self-insure themselves against unwanted GE contamination. Read the National Organic Coalition's (NOC) criticism of the report.
• Beyond Pesticides has joined the Just Label It Campaign to urge the FDA to label consumer products containing GE ingredients.
• Read "Genetically Engineered Food Failed promises and hazardous outcomes," from the Summer 2011 issue of Pesticides and You.
• Beyond Pesticides, with a coalition of organic companies and environmental organizations, opposes USDA's GE alfalfa decision, which threatens organic and non-GE conventional farmers. Read our open letter to USDA. Read National Organic Coalition (NOC)'s 7-Point GE Contamination Plan.
• USDA announces its plans to deregulate GE Alfalfa. NOC issued a statement criticizing the decision, also see our Daily News.

As we move forward, we are united in opposing genetically engineered organisms in food production and believe that pressure to stop the proliferation of this contaminating technolgy must be focused on the White House and Congress. The companies responsible for this situation are the biotech companies whose GE technology causes genetic drift and environmental hazards that are not contained as the deregulation of genetically engineered alfalfa goes forward. The organic community stands together with consumer, farmer, environmental and business interests to ensure practices that are protective of health and the environment.

Genetically Engineered Food: Failed promises and hazardous outcomes

(2011 National Pesticide Forum)

A presentation on the hazards and politics of genetically engineered foods given at "Sustainable Community: Practical solutions for health and the environment," Beyond Pesticides' 29th National Pesticide Forum, April 8-9, 2011, Denver, CO. George Kimbrell, senior attorney, Center for Food Safety, San Francisco, CA.