 |
Greenpeace is a non-profit organisation,
with a presence in 40 countries across Europe, the Americas,
Asia and the Pacific.
To maintain its independence, Greenpeace does not accept donations
from governments or corporations but relies on contributions
from individual supporters and foundation grants.
As a global organisation, Greenpeace focuses on the the most
crucial worldwide threats to our planet's biodiversity and
environment. |
Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering enables scientists to create plants, animals
and micro-organisms by manipulating genes in a way that does not
occur naturally.
These genetically engineered (GE) organisms can reproduce and interbreed
with natural organisms, therefore spreading to new environments
and future generations in an unforeseeable and uncontrollable way.
Greenpeace opposes all releases of genetically engineered organisms
into the environment. Such organisms are being released without
adequate scientific understanding of their impact on the environment
and human health.
This genetic pollution is a major threat because genetically engineered
organisms cannot be recalled once released into the environment.
Governments are attempting to address this threat by international
regulations such as the Biosafety Protocol.
Because of commercial interests, the public is being denied the
right to know about genetically engineered ingredients in the food
chain, and the right to avoid them. Greenpeace advocates immediate
interim measures such as labelling of genetically engineered ingredients,
and the segregation of genetically engineered crops from conventional
ones.
While scientific progress on molecular biology has a great potential
to increase our understanding of nature and provide new medical
tools, it is no justification to turn the environment into a genetic
experiment. Biological diversity must be protected and respected
as the global heritage of humankind, and one of our world's fundamental
keys to survival.
Greenpeace also opposes all patents on plants, animals and humans,
as well as patents on their genes. Life is not an industrial commodity.
When we force lifeforms and our world's food supply to conform to
human economic models rather than their natural ones, we do so at
our own peril. |
