Genetic Engineering Beyond Pesticides

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. Increased planting of Herbicide-resistanat GE crops has led to a dramatic increase in herbicide use. The over use of Herbicide-resistant crops has also led to "super weeds", and the destructuion of pollinator habitat.

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.

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.

(August 1, 2016) President Signs Weak Product Labeling Law on Genetically Engineered Ingredients, Preempts States

(July 7, 2016) U.S. Senate Moves to Limit GMO Labeling

(April 20, 2016) GAO Finds USDA Regulation of Genetically Engineered Crops Deficient

(March 24, 2016) More Companies To Label for GE Ingredients, While Maintaining Their Safety

(March 21, 2016) Boulder County, Colorado to Phase Out GE Crops on Public Land

To read more, visit the GE section of our Daily News blog.

You can also find further information on the United States Department of Agriculture's website.

(2013 National Pesticide Forum)

As the emergent GE labeling movement challenges industrial agriculture, USDA continues to deregulate GE crops. This workshop was part of "Sustainable Families, Farms, and Food: Resilient communities through organic practices," Beyond Pesticides 31st National Pesticide Forum, April 5-6, 2013, Albuquerque, NM.

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Genetic Engineering Beyond Pesticides