This in from our friends at the African Centre for Biosafety (ACB):
The Africa Centre for Biosafety (ACB) has dismissed the findings of the biotechnology industry's flagship annual report, published by the GM industry funded 'NGO', the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), as mischievous and erroneous.
Compiled by Lela Rabie
What is a GMO?
When an organisms genetic material has been changed, basically its DNA has been tampered with, using genetic engineering techniques, it is known as a GMO, a Genetically Modified Organism. In some cases, it can also be known as a GEO or genetically engineered organism.1
How does Genetic Modification work?
Genetic engineering takes a short cut to the usual process where individuals of the same species mate and the species grows stronger through inherited genes. In genetic engineering genes are physically transferred from one living thing directly into the centre of a cell (called the nucleus) of something else, which is often from a completely different species. For example, contrary to what normally happens in nature, in the process of genetic engineering, genes can be transferred between animals and plants.2
Please share the information below widely!
The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) has released its new report titled, ‘Harmonisation of Africa’s seed laws: a recipe for disaster- Players, motives and dynamics. The report shows how African governments are being co-opted into harmonising seed laws relating to border control measures, phytosanitary control, variety release systems, certification standards and intellectual property rights, to the detriment of African small-holder farmers and their seed systems.
This in from our friends at the African Centre for Biosafety:
An urgent appeal has been made to the African Union (AU) to discuss a ban on the cultivation, import and export of genetically modified (GM) crops in Africa at the next AU summit, to be held in January 2013. An African Civil Society Statement, signed by over 400 African organisations representing small-scale farmers, faith-based organisations, social movements, non-governmental organisations, organic producers, consumers, business people and ordinary citizens, has been sent to the Permanent Representative Council (PRC) of the AU.