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ISIS Call for Evidence 14/04/09
Call for Direct Witness Evidence of GM Hazards & Failures
Dr. Mae-Wan
Ho
In February, 26 scientists wrote to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA)
in the United States, expressing concern that they are being blocked from
conducting independent research into GM crops by biotech corporations, and
hence the information submitted to the EPA and other regulators are biased.
Earlier in the same month, the group, Sense About Science (SAS) based in the
UK, which describes itself as “a charitable trust to promote good science
and evidence for the public” published a pamphlet Making Sense of GM,
to help overcome “misconceptions” that have prevent the public from accepting
GM crops and all the benefits they will bring. It was exposed in the public
media as having been sponsored and co-written by Monsanto’s former director
of scientific affairs (see Corporate Monopoly
of Science, SiS 42). Corporations are aiming for an absolute stranglehold
on scientific research and the flow of scientific information.
We have exposed the lies and half-truths concerning the performance
of GM crops in the past partly by asking protesting citizens to photograph
field trials or problems caused by GM crops near them, which we make available
to the public and policy-makers (see Citizen's
Vigil Exposes Bad Science in GM Crop Trial, (http://www.i-sis.org.uk/MunlochyVigil.php)
SiS 13/14; Bogus
Comparison in GM Maize Trial, SiS 22; Deadly gift from
Monsanto to India, SiS 38). This kind of direct witness evidence
is very important; but is inadequately and only sporadically documented. This
makes it easy for our regulators to ignore it, using the lame excuse that
they are relying only on evidence “peer-reviewed and published” in scientific
journals.
Fortunately, the law courts do not take that view. Such witness
evidence, properly documented, is powerful, and often sufficient for incrimination.
We should take inspiration from Georgina Downs’ High Court victory on 14 November
2008 (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article5161219.ece).
The judgement concluded that the British government has been acting unlawfully
in its crop spraying policy and failing to protect the health of the public
living near agricultural land. The evidence included a two part video, together
with pesticide-soaked mannequins having a ‘picnic’ during a spray.
ISIS has already accumulated a large dossier of evidence (GM
Science Exposed., http://www.i-sis.org.uk/MunlochyVigil.php),
and your help in assembling witness evidence may be just what’s needed to make
the case for a global ban on environmental releases of GMOs that we have advocated
since 2003 (see The
Case for A GM-Free Sustainable World, Independent Science
Panel Report, http://www.i-sis.org.uk/onlinestore/books.php)
Please submit to us photographic and video evidence of hazards
and failures
via e-mail: evidence@i-sis.org.uk,
or send CD/DVD in envelope marked “EVIDENCE”, to ISIS, Omnibus Business Centre,
39-41 North Road, London N7 9DP, UK. This could consist of failures of GM crops
(including monstrous plants such as those observed in Mexico), death and sicknesses
of animals or human beings exposed to GM crops that you have personally experienced,
or witnessed in your community or neighbourhood. Evidence from experiments that
you have conducted will also be appropriate.
Be sure to include detailed documentation of the subject filmed
or photographed, giving date and location, including your name, e-mail, address
and telephone number, as we may contact you for an interview. These details
will not be disclosed without your permission.
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