MONTHLY REVIEW No. 50

GM WATCH MONTHLY REVIEW No. 50
FROM REVIEW EDITOR, CLAIRE ROBINSON
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Hope you enjoy this roundup of all the important things that have been happening over the past month.

Please forward this on to any friends and contacts who may be interested, and tell all your non-English speaking friends about our Monthly Reviews in Portuguese, Dutch and German.
http://www.gmwatch.org/p1temp.asp?pid=93&page=1

And if you'd consider joining the growing ranks of our wonderful volunteer translators, we'd be very pleased to hear from you. It's so important to get the word out on what's happening worldwide.

Claire This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.gmwatch.org / www.lobbywatch.org

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MONTHLY REVIEW CONTENTS
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NEW RESEARCH
PROPAGANDA, FRAUD AND LIBEL
TAKE ACTION!
CONTAMINATION
RESISTANCE/BANS/RESTRICTIONS ON GM
REGULATION/LABELING
GM FAILURES
NON-GM SUCCESSES
ALTERNATIVE NOBEL PRIZE
BIOFUELS
HEALTH RISKS OF GM
CLONING
CODEX
LOBBYWATCH
NEW EUGENICS
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

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NEW RESEARCH
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+ GM CORN MAY AFFECT AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS - STUDY
An extremely important new study shows genetically engineered Bt corn byproducts could be endangering aquatic life. It also raises big questions as to how U.S. and other regulators gave the go ahead to Bt corn without undertaking sufficient testing of their impact on aquatic ecosystems.

The study by scientists at Indiana University has been published online by the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences. Researchers, including Todd V. Royer, an assistant professor in the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs, established that pollen and other plant parts containing toxins from GM Bt corn are washing into streams near cornfields. They also conducted laboratory trials that found consumption of Bt corn byproducts produced increased mortality and reduced growth in caddisflies, aquatic insects that are related to the pests targeted by the toxin in Bt corn.

Caddisflies, Royer said, 'are a food resource for higher organisms like fish and amphibians. And, if our goal is to have healthy, functioning ecosystems, we need to protect all the parts. Water resources are something we depend on greatly.' Royer added, 'I think probably the risks associated with widespread planting of Bt corn were not fully assessed.' The research also raises a big flag about other Bt crops. Take, for instance, Bt trees which could contribute even more biomass to streams than corn.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8358
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8368
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8422

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PROPAGANDA, FRAUD AND LIBEL
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+ NEW IMAGE FURTHER DEMOLISHES MORRIS'S CLAIMS
Shane Morris's latest attempts at proving that the controversial 'wormy' sweetcorn sign wasn't up at the site of his GM research have spectacularly backfired - yet again. GM Watch has published a special composite image that computer scientist Tim Lambert has created that shows more clearly than ever that the 'wormy' corn sign is present in both the photos that Morris said showed it had been taken down. To see the new photographic evidence go to
http://www.gmwatch.org/p1temp.asp?pid=97&page=1

+ PAPER 'A FLAGRANT FRAUD' - RESEARCH ETHICS EXPERT
In a second open letter to Morris, Peter Melchett of the Soil Association notes, 'The current edition of the magazine Private Eye quotes a leading expert on research ethics at Cambridge University, Dr Richard Jennings, who describes your research as 'flagrant fraud'.'
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8350
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8352

For the background see http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8314

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TAKE ACTION!
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+ GM SUGAR TO HIT STORES IN 2008 - TAKE ACTION!
American Crystal, a Wyoming-based sugar company, and several other leading US sugar providers have announced they will source their sugar from GM sugar beets beginning this year to arrive in stores in 2008. US products containing GM sugar will not be labelled as such. Since half of the granulated sugar in the US comes from sugar beets, a move towards GM beets marks a dramatic alteration of the US food supply.

Meanwhile candy companies like Hershey's are urging farmers not to plant GM sugar beets, noting that consumer surveys suggest resistance to the product. In addition the European Union has not approved GM sugar beets for human consumption.
TAKE ACTION AT http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=12700

+ TAKE ACTION - SUPPORT GM MAIZE BAN
European Environment Commissioner, Dimas, is reported to be opposing the cultivation in Europe of 2 new GM maize crops (both Bt) Syngenta's Bt11 and Pioneer/Dow's 1507 because of the risk posed to the environment. But there is likely to be a lot opposition to Dimas from other parts of the Commission which are avidly pro-GM (see LOBBYWATCH). So we need to make sure that protecting the environment comes before industry interests. TAKE ACTION AT http://www.greenpeace.org/international/getinvolved/support-dimas-on-maize

+ NEW INTERNATIONAL PETITION ON BP-BERKELEY DEAL
Sign on to the petition against the massive BP - University of California Berkeley deal to develop GMOs for use as biofuels:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/international-petition-on-bps-500m-project-to-genetically-engineer-biofuels

See also BIOFUELS below.

+ TAKE ACTION ON GM BUDWEISER
See under CONTAMINATION below or go to
http://write-a-letter.greenpeace.org/315/fc68e5146383183d0573b8cdba7e648e

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CONTAMINATION
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+ U.S. PROBE INTO TAINTED RICE ENDS - USDA CLUELESS
More than 14 months after the US Agriculture Department began an investigation into how the US supply of long-grain rice became tainted with Bayer's unapproved GM variety - an event that continues to disrupt US exports - the government has announced that it could not figure out how the contamination happened. In addition, it will not take legal action against Bayer. Friends of the Earth's Clare Oxborrow said: 'It's a scandal that Bayer will get off scot-free when hundreds of rice farmers have suffered severe financial losses and consumers around the world have been exposed to illegal GM ingredients.'
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8351
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8356

+ BUDWEISER USING GM RICE TO BREW ITS BEER
An untested experimental GM rice has been found at a mill in Arkansas, US, which is operated by Anheuser-Busch to brew its beer brand, Budweiser. http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8355

Protest - send letter to Budweiser:
http://write-a-letter.greenpeace.org/315/fc68e5146383183d0573b8cdba7e648e

+ CARREFOUR WITHDRAWS GM SOY BREAD IN ROMANIA
Carrefour Romania has withdrawn from its shelves all Snack Attack products, after Greenpeace revealed that the company's bread contains GM soy but is not labelled.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8403

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RESISTANCE/BANS/RESTRICTIONS ON GM
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+ BIOTECH FOODS HARD TO SWALLOW IN U.S.
Opinion in the US may be hardening against GM foods, says an article in the LA Times. For more articles on US concerns over GM foods, see REGULATION/LABELING.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8397

+ KENYA BIOSAFETY COALITION WINS FIGHT AGAINST BIOSAFETY BILL
The biotech industry and the US-backed pro-GM lobby in Kenya suffered an unexpected setback after the Kenyan Biodiversity Coalition, comprising more than 40 NGOs, was able to prevent the passage of an industry-friendly Biosafety Bill with the help of public protests and demonstrations in Nairobi.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8404
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8370
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8386

+ GM BAN IN FRANCE CONFIRMED
There was biotech industry outrage after France announced a ban on Monsanto's MON810 (Bt) corn, the only GM crop being grown in France. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he would suspend the planting of GM pest-resistant crops until the results of an appraisal of the issue later this year or early in 2008. He also said he doubted the benefits claimed for them. Adrian Bebb of Friends of the Earth Europe commented that, 'the precautionary shift now in Sarkozy's tone is a seismic one'. France's policy shift is expected to have implications for the rest of the EU.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8424
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8429
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8437

+ DIMAS CALLS FOR GM MAIZE BAN
EU Environment Commissioner Dimas is proposing to ban two types of GM maize because of the risks they pose to the environment. The GM maize varieties are Syngenta's Bt11 and Pioneer/Dow's 1507. Scientific studies have shown them to be toxic to certain butterfly species and possibly to other beneficial insects and they may have long term negative effects on soil health.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8422

+ BRAZIL: TWO DEAD IN CLASH AT BIOTECH FARM
Two men were killed and five wounded when guards working for the Swiss biotech company Syngenta clashed with Brazilians invading a GM seed farm in Parana state. 'Forty gunmen got off a bus and started shooting. They executed Valmir Motta, shot five peasants and beat up another man,' said a spokesman for the rural workers' group Via Campesina, which had organised the action in protest at the illegal growing of the seeds. One guard was killed. The state government of Parana, where the farm is located, said that seven security guards were taken into custody and face accusations of homicide and gang formation.

The farm was occupied by peasant families in March 2006, to expose to public authorities and civil society the illegal production by Syngenta of GMO soy and maize seeds in the area. The latest clash occurred at the peasant families were trying to re-occupy the area.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8417
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8402
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8401

IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) condemns violent actions against Brazilian farmers:
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8417

+ AUSTRALIA: THREE ARRESTED IN GM PROTEST
Three Greenpeace activists have been arrested during a protest at dairy giant Murray Goulburn's Melbourne headquarters. Protesters went into the building demanding the co-operative support bans on GM food crops. Campaigner Louise Sales says the company supports the reintroduction of GM crops for use in stock feed.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8405

+ JAPAN URGES AUSTRALIA TO CONTINUE GM CROP BANS
A delegation representing Japanese food buyers arrived in Australia to lobby state governments to maintain bans on GM food crops. Moratoria on commercial GM food crops in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia are due to expire next year and are being reviewed.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8371
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8387

More on Japanese resistance to GM:
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8385
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8395

+ ONLY SMALL MINORITY OF AUSTRALIAN FARMERS WANT GM CROPS
Only 27.6 percent of farmers want to see GM grain crops introduced into Australia, according to a Rural Press survey, while a clear majority are opposed to GM commercialisation.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8343

+ AUSTRALIAN PM OUT OF TOUCH WITH CONSUMERS AND FARMERS
Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance has accused the prime minister of being out of touch with Australian consumers and farmers with his recent comments on GM food crops. 'We are heavily reliant on our export markets and yet the Prime Minister wants us to switch to GM foods that are rejected by discerning consumers worldwide,' he said. 'This will damage Australia's international reputation as a source of reliable, safe quality food.'
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8416

+ STRONG PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR ZERO TOLERANCE TO GM CONTAMINATION
79% of New Zealanders would support the current policy of zero tolerance to GM contamination of seed imports, says a new poll.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8416

+ INDIA: FARMER SUICIDES INSPIRE HIGHWAY BLOCKADE ACROSS INDIA
The plight of thousands of Vidarbha cotton farmers who have committed suicide triggered a national highway blockade of non-violent resistance in India. More than 10,000 cotton farmers from the region participated in the rally. At the root of the thousands of suicides among the cotton farmers is the promotion of expensive inputs like GM seeds in combination with a credit squeeze and the removal of a minimum support price.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8342

+ INDIA: 'HOLY' SEEDS THREATEN BIOTECH PROJECT
Planned field trials of Bt brinjal (eggplant) in Karnataka state are under threat after Ramesh Bhat, one of India's leading biologists and former deputy director of the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, warned that the Bt gene could contaminate a native variety of brinjal, which people consider sacred.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8391

+ UK: GM PROTESTER HIT WITH FINE
A GM protester has been fined more than GBP400 for damaging a metal fence that collapsed under his weight as he tried to destroy a field full of GM potatoes. Activist Martin Shaw failed in his bid to rip up the only GM trial crop in the UK, but the GM potatoes were destroyed just days later by other activists.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8384
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8379

+ MONSANTO FILES SUIT AGAINST FRENCH GM ACTIVISTS
The French unit of Monsanto has filed a lawsuit against unnamed parties following the latest destruction of some of its test fields for GM maize.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8392

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REGULATION/LABELING
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+ UK: GM INDUSTRY STEPS UP LOBBYING TO AVOID LIABILITY
An article in The Guardian reports that the GM industry has stepped up lobbying as the UK government is deciding how an EU directive on environmental liabilities should be translated into UK law. The GM industry is quietly terrified that a severe interpretation could send it packing, with ramifications in the rest of Europe.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8410

+ 89% OF AMERICANS WANT GM LABELS - SOME POLITICIANS IN FAVOUR
In Iowa, Senator John Edwards, Governor Bill Richardson, and Senator Chris Dodd have gone on record in favor of mandatory labeling of GM foods as part of their presidential election campaigns. A report funded by the USDA found that 89% of the American public feels the federal government should require the labeling of GM foods. Only 10% felt that labeling should not be required.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8376

Leading Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Edwards agree to mandatory labeling, as do candidates Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich. Top Republican candidates have not taken positions.
Breakdown of candidates' views: http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8393

+ MOST AMERICANS UNAWARE OF GM FOODS
Surveys show that a majority of Americans are unaware that more than 70% of processed foods they eat contain ingredients from GM corn, soybeans, canola, and cotton. However, Americans are increasingly aware of one GM product in their food, and they don't like it. And the food industry is responding. Food retail giant Kroger recently announced that by February 2008 all its processed milk will be from cows not injected with a GM growth hormone known as recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) or rBGH.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8376

+ INDIA: GOVT ALLOWS IMPORT OF GM SEED EDIBLE OIL
India has lifted its ban on the import of edible oils extracted from GM oilseeds.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8337

+ INDIA: MORE BACKTRACKING ON FOOD SAFETY
India's health ministry is reluctant to go ahead with its earlier proposal for mandatory labeling of GM food.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8337

+ INDIA: WRIT FILED IN SUPREME COURT AGAINST DEREGULATION OF GM FOODS
In India, Gene Campaign has filed a writ in the Supreme Court challenging the recent decision by the ministry of environment and forests to exempt imported GM foods from regulation. Gene Campaign believes the decision is unconstitutional.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8419

Aruna Rodrigues has also mounted a legal challenge.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8439

+ CHEFS DROP SUPPORT FOR IRISH FOOD SCHEME OVER GMOs
The Irish branch of Europe's leading chefs' organisation, Euro-Toques, has pulled out of the government-run Feile Bia food awareness scheme because of its failure to support small food producers and the continued awarding of its Quality Assurance label for Irish meat and dairy produce that is being refused by leading EU retailers because it comes from livestock fed on GM ingredients.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8399

+ IRELAND: GM FOODS SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO FEEDING TRIALS - DOCTOR
In Ireland, the row over GM foods has escalated, with a letter in the Irish Medical News from Dr Elizabeth Cullen demanding feeding trials.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8372

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GM FAILURES
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+ CANADIAN AG 'PROBABLY THE LEAST PROFITABLE IN THE WORLD'
As one of the biggest GM crop-cultivating countries in the world, Canada is often held up as a model of efficiency and profitability. But an interview with Darrin Qualman, director of research for Canada's National Farmers Union, shows that the truth is very different. Qualman says, 'on a rough, per-acre basis, crop producers here are probably losing about $50 to $100 on every acre - as reflected in subsidy and debt levels. Canada's high-input, high-tech, high-cost food production model is probably the least profitable in the world.'
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8408

+ FAILURE OF BT COTTON IN ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA - NEW REPORT
Some Bt cotton farmers in Andhra Pradesh are in serious distress at the end of the 2007 growing season, says a new report from a fact-finding team. The report confirms that Bt cotton is affected by sudden drying/wilting, has more sucking pests and diseases like black arm/leaf spot. And pesticide use on Bt cotton is high.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8413

+ PAKISTAN: SHORTFALL IN COTTON TARGET
A ten percent shortfall of cotton yield in Pakistan is mainly due to the mealy bug and cotton leaf curl virus, attacks disproportionately affecting Bt cotton.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8346

+ GM STRUGGLES TO RAISE ITS PROFILE
Europabio, a front group for biotech in Europe, had a Commons-style debate recently about how the GMO industry had failed to communicate properly with the public about the benefits of the technology. One man, in all seriousness, proposed that Monsanto should merge with Pfizer to create soybeans that contain Viagra! 'Will they never learn?' asks John Vidal in The Guardian.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8332

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NON-GM SUCCESSES
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+ HUGE PREMIUM FOR BRAZILIAN GM-FREE CORN
Brazilian GMO-free corn is attracting a huge premium over the Chicago price.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8332

+ PHILIPPINES NEW NON-GM DROUGHT-RESISTANT CORN
A Philippines scientist has developed a new non-GM corn variety that was able to survive a drought for 29 days.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8361

+ INDIGENOUS RICE BETTER THAN GM FOR DEALING WITH STRESS
A New Delhi-based NGO, together with farmers from nine Indian states, has developed a register documenting over 2,000 indigenous rice varieties. They say GM rice strains are not only costly to cultivate but also are a poor match to the native strains in fighting pests, diseases and environmental fluctuations. http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8359

+ BODY BLOW TO GRAIN BORER
The larger grain borer is taking a beating from CIMMYT (Internation Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre) breeders in Kenya as a new non-GM African maize withstands the onslaught of one of the most damaging pests. http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8361

+ ORGANIC FOOD BETTER
Important new research has shown up to 40% more beneficial compounds in organic vegetable crops and up to 90% more in organic milk. It has also found high levels of minerals such as iron and zinc in organic produce.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8430

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ALTERNATIVE NOBEL PRIZE
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+ PRIZE FOR SCHMEISERS
A 2007 Right Livelihood Award has been given to Canadian farmers Percy and Louise Schmeiser. The Schmeisers fought Monsanto in court after the company sued him for having its Roundup Ready genes on their land (their crop was contaminated by GM canola). The Jury for the Awards, which are often referred to as 'Alternative Nobel Prizes', honoured the Schmeisers 'for their courage in defending biodiversity and farmers' rights, and challenging the environmental and moral perversity of current interpretations of patent laws'.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8335
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8339

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BIOFUELS
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+ TROJAN HORSE DELIVERED TO UC BERKELEY
At UC Berkeley, hundreds of students and citizens demonstrated against the proposed $500 million research deal, funded by giant oil company BP, that would create an Energy Bioscience Institute (EBI) to develop GMOs for use as biofuels. Protestors wearing white lab coats bearing the BP logo delivered a Trojan Horse to the conference, with a label reading, 'A Generous Gift To Berkeley From BP.' Upon arrival, the horse delivered an 'oil spill' at the entrance to the Bancroft Hotel, where the conference was opening. http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8347

See TAKE ACTION! for an inline petition to protest the BP-UC Berkeley GM biofuels deal.

+ BP EXEC PIED AT EUROPE'S LARGEST BIOFUELS EVENT
Climate change activists from protest group Food Not Fuel entered the BioFuel Expo & Conference in the UK, and took over the keynote speech. Oliver Mace, CEO of BP Fuels, the lead sponsors of the event, was cream pied. Food Not Fuel were protesting against the planned expansion of biofuels, citing its contribution to deforestation and climate change.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8389