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4) More research needed into the effect of GM products.
Generally, insufficient research is done before a GM product is released into the market. This occurs because of many scientists use the equivalence framework. This framework states that GM products are equivalent or equal to non-GM products or organic products. Since these scientists have this mind frame, they do not monitor the GM products long enough before it is released into the environment. We want a policy that dictates how these researches are conducted. Also, we want a policy that dictates how long these researches should be conducted before it is released into the environment. We demand that GMO be monitored for a period of two years or more.
5) Make adequate labeling requirements:
Every individual in the society has a right to make informed choices. By refusing to label GMO product, they are taking this right away from the consumers. We would like to suggest that GMO products be labeled with the tag stating “ GMO product”. These labels should provide the consumers with accurate information that will be of use to them. This labels should just not state the positive aspects of GM foods, they should also state explicitly the risks inherent within these foods. For example, herbicide producers should state that by using their herbicide, there is the potential risk of producing super weeds, which would be difficult to get rid off. This would leave the option open to the consumer on if he/ she wants this particular brand of herbicide. The consumer would now know if he/s he is willing to take these risks.
6) Laws that put pressure on bigger business rather than small businesses.
Since big businesses tend to have political and economic clout, pressure is generally not placed on them because of fear of analogous repercussions. As a result of this, pressure is put on small businesses that do not have any clout. We would like to have a policy that puts equal or more responsibilities on bigger businesses because they have the economic background to ensure that what is being produced would not have negative consequences.
7) Ensure that environmental organizations are involved in decision making for policy implementation.
Since environmental organizations are more concerned about the environment and the people in it, it is important that a voice for the environment be present at any decision making for policy implementation meeting that might be held. Since we represent the environment, we would be bringing a conscience into the corporate boardroom. We would ensure that the policy is fair to all concerned.
8) No arbitrary experimentation
Scientists are notoriously known for their curiosity; as such they would be willing to perform any experiment just to find out what would happen because of this we believe that there should be a policy written out that ensures that the neutral scientist do not arbitrarily experiment but that they have a well defined reason behind any experimentation that they do.
9) No Dumping on developing countries.
We believe that there is a need for a clearly defined policy that states that dumping GMO products on developing countries is illegal, particularly if these GMO products have been rejected in developed countries. As representatives of the environmental organizations, the environment of developing countries is very important to us, particularly when one takes into consideration that third world countries, generally contain many organisms that are not found in any part of the world. Because of this reason, we totally reject dumping of GMO products on third world nations.
It is very important as environmental organizations to evaluate the impacts of GMO on the ecosystem. We are taking a cautionary stance and asking that you, the stakeholders do the same. You should ask yourselves if you are willing to accept the repercussions of the widespread use of GMO particularly when you are unsure of the risks inherent in it. In particular, you the consumers, who are major stakeholders in this issue, should ask yourselves if you are willing to accept the responsibility of the destruction of our environment that could come about through the widespread introduction of GMO. These are questions that you should keep in mind as you take that sip of GMO milk in your cup of GMO coffee.
Battalion, N. 50 Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified Foods [online] Available: http://www.cqs.com/50harm.htm [2001, November 20].
Fox, Michael. WILL GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS MEAN ADULTERATED AND TOXIC FOOD, BODIES, AND ECOSYSTEMS? . Available: http://www.progress.org/archive/gene10.htm [2001, November 24].
Friends of the earth briefing. (1999). [Online]. Available: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/antibiotic_resistant_genes.html [2001, [2001, November 23].
Genetically-modified Q&A. (1999). [Online]. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/special_report/1999/02/99/food_under_the_microscope/newsid_280000/280868.stm [2001, November 20].
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