ISIS Report 2000

Promoting Critical Public Understanding of Science And Enhancing The GM Debate

ISIS Mission Statement

To promote science responsible to civil society and the public good, independent of commercial and other special interests, or of government control.

Science is intrinsically honest, open and pluralistic, and disagreements must be openly and democratically debated.

Science should be unbiased and accessible to all, regardless of gender, age, race, religion or caste.

To ensure public participation in decision-making, accurate information should be promptly accessible to the public in unbiased and uncensored forms.

To develop a science that can help make the world sustainable, equitable and life-enhancing for all its inhabitants.

Science should be based on a holistic, ecological perspective that takes proper account of the complexity, diversity and interdependence of all nature.

It is consonant with the holistic perspectives of diverse indigenous sciences across the world.

It is in accordance with the precautionary principle: when there is reason to suspect threats of serious, irreversible damage, lack of scientific evidence or consensus must not be used to postpone preventative action.

To integrate science in society and promote its highest moral values.

Science should contribute to the physical and spiritual well-being of all societies.

It must promote equity, justice, democracy and freedom from oppression for all.

What is ISIS?

The Institute of Science in Society (ISIS) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1999 by Mae-Wan Ho and Peter Saunders to work for social responsibility and sustainable approaches in science. A major part of our work is to promote critical public understanding of science and to engage both scientists and the public in open debate and discussion. ISIS has been providing inputs into the GM debate that would have been conspicuously lacking otherwise.

ISIS and the GM Debate

ISIS’ involvement in the debate on genetic engineering, euphemistically referred to as ‘genetic modification’, or GM, by its proponents, dates from 1994, when Mae-Wan Ho became scientific adviser to the Third World Network (see below). ISIS’ goal since the beginning, is to enable the widest cross-section of the global society to participate in deciding on science policies, which are among the most important in our time. Science and technology must be critically assessed by society and be held accountable, not only for safety, but also with regard to social and ethical implications. Such assessment is of necessity holistic. To be most effective, it should also be proactive as far as possible, particularly as technologies are becoming increasingly powerful and uncontrollable. That is why most governments have accepted the precautionary approach to risk assessment, now enshrined in the Cartegena Biosafety Protocol, negotiated in Montreal in Jan. 2000, regulating the use and cross-boundary transfer of GM organisms and products. To act with precaution requires monitoring and anticipating scientific developments, so that technical information may be freely available in an accessible form at the earliest stage, to be assessed in the proper social and global context.

How does ISIS Work?

ISIS works in close collaboration with and provide scientific advise to the Third World Network (TWN), a well-known and respected non-government organization based in Penang, which has been in the forefront of the struggle for equity and justice for the Third World. We advise and represent them on science and related issues in international forums such as the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme and the World Trade Organization (WTO). We have written numerous scientific reports and assessments for policy-makers and the general public which are used also by other public interest organizations all over the world to support their local and national campaigns and debates (see Publications at the end of this Report).

ISIS and TWN run training and capacity building programmes on genetic engineering and biosafety in developing countries and elsewhere. This has already involved several special lecture tours and visits to Ethiopia, Cameroon, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Brazil, India and many countries in Europe. A lecture tour to Ecuador, Argentina and Uruguay will take place this September.

ISIS produces scientific papers for peer-reviewed journals that have played the key role in opening the GM debate within the scientific community not only on the hazards inherent to GM technology, but also on science and the precautionary principle and on social responsibility and ethics in science.

The ISIS website set up in March 1999, greatly facilitates general access to our written material. It is currently linked to many other websites, and has been visited by thousands of people since it began over a year ago. Constraint on time and resources has so far prevented us from improving the site and establishing more links, but this will be a high priority task for the coming year.

ISIS News began as an update on science and related issues in July, 1999. It is circulated mainly via the internet to scientists and non Government organizations. Five issues have been produced so far. It contains a unique combination of reports relating to science and society, social responsibility and science policy. It contains accessible, lively articles and notes on science aimed at promoting genuine, critical public understanding as well as assessments on the latest scientific developments. A special section updates on biotech patents and finally, reviews of important books that feed into the GM debate, including ecology, ethics, and sustainable approaches to health and agriculture.

The World Scientists’ Statement and Open Letter initiated by ISIS have been highly influential in the GM debate. The scientists are demanding a moratorium on releases of GM organisms, a ban on patents on life-forms and living processes and support for sustainable agriculture (see ISIS News #3, #4 and #5). Our signatories, now numbering 327 from 38 countries, include international figures and scientists in high prestige laboratories and universities. The World Scientists’ Statement was launched in Cartegena Feb. 1999 during a conference on the Biosafety Protocol. Successive drafts of the Open Letter, with increasing number of signatories have been submitted to

1. The UK Government during the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth, October, 1999.
2. All Heads of Delegation at the WTO Conference in Seattle November 29-December 3, 1999, where it played a key role in resisting the attempt by US, Canada and Japan to force trade of GMOs via the WTO. In the event, the WTO negotiations broke down completely.
3. The International Biosafety Protocol Conference of the Parties in Montreal in Jan. 2000, where, together with a number of crucial briefing notes and reports, including one on the hazards of naked nucleic acids, it contributed to strengthening the position of the like-minded group and other countries seeking a strong Biosafety Protocol. In the event, a strong (though not perfect) Biosafety Protocol was agreed, to the delight and surprise of all concerned.
4. The Philippines Congress by Dr. Oscar Zamora in March 2000, helping to secure a moratorium on imports of GMOs into that country.
5. The UN Commission on Sustainable Development 8th Session, New York, April 24 – May 3, 2000, where it was welcomed by all except industry.
6. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Nairobi, May 16-26, 2000, where it was given prominent press coverage amidst calls for moratorium on GMOs for Africa.
7. The US Congress during the special education forum, "Can biotechnology help fight world hunger?", June 29, 2000, Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. where the scientific concerns on risks inherent to genetic engineering and the scientific case for sustainable, organic agriculture were simultaneously made to a packed audience consisting of a high proportion of congressional staff.

The Sustainable Science Audit is an important new ISIS initiative in collaboration with TWN, which explicitly assesses science and technology for social accountability and sustainability. The first Audit on the GM ‘golden rice’ (widely publicized by proponents of GM agriculture as the cure for vitamin A deficiency in the Third World) was released via the internet on June 15, 2000. This project brings science squarely into the social context, and our link with TWN is particularly vital in providing a balanced global context. We intend to continue with this project and draw on a wide range of scientific and social inputs.

ISIS engaging science and society

1. A non-exhaustive list of ISIS’ other activities is given below, from which it can be seen that ISIS plays an unique, multifarious role in bridging science and society that is both proactive and responsive. We have received many appreciative, positive comments to that effect, and plan to continue in that role, if we get enough financial commitment for the next three years.
2. First scientific briefing and seminar on patents of life-forms and living processes for Third World delegates to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, June 1999.
3. Joint reports on specific topics, conferences and public meetings with public interest organizations in UK.
4. Informal scientific clearing house for policy-makers, public interest organizations and members of the public.
5. Public lectures and debates in international, national and local community forums in more than 20 countries around the world since 1997.
6. Expert witness for civil society in legal cases concerning genetic engineering in UK and Ireland between 1998 and 1999.
7. Many interviews on radio and TV, and for newsprint journalists, given in UK and more than 20 countries around the world.
8. Letters and articles written for newspapers and magazines on genetic engineering and related issues.
9. Official and unofficial briefing meetings with members of parliament and government ministers in UK and other countries since 1995. This includes a debate with molecular geneticists advising the UK Government in the office of Environment Minister, Michael Meacher , March, 1999.
10. Meetings with ‘stakeholders’ including representatives from the biotech companies, farming unions, major retailers and public interest organizations.
11. Informal and formal meetings with scientists.
12. Submissions to public consultation by the UK Government agencies and parliamentary committees, and critiques of ensuing reports.
13. Submission to Pilot Project of the Biotechnology Group in the Trans-Atlantic Economic Partnership Action Plan (TEP) on the detailed molecular genetic data which must be provided by industry seeking product approval. (The TEP is generally regarded as a transatlantic free-trade agreement between US and the European Union, and the Pilot Project is the first step towards harmonization of regulation and trade.) The molecular genetics data required by the US and Canada are not adequate to guarantee the stability and safety of the crops being approved. Our comments and recommendations have been taken up by major pressure groups in the US such as the Consumer Choice Council, Consumers Association, Council for Responsible Genetics and Institute of Agricultural and Trade Policy.
14. Organized with UK Member of Parliament Alan Simpson, for Norwegian virologist and senior Government advisor, Terje Traavik, and lawyer spearheading a major civil lawsuit against the US Food and Drug Administration, Steven Druker, to brief UK Parliament and to meet with Michael Meacher, Minister for the Environment, Feb. 2000. This generated much media attention. One result, according to a newspaper report, was UK Prime Minister’s U-turn in acknowledging the potential hazards of genetic engineered food.
15. Submission to UK Government objecting to placing GM seeds on the National Seeds Register.
16. Moral support for independent, dissident scientists who have been unfairly treated or victimised for honest work, and putting them in touch with other scientists in position to offer help and collaborative research.

Future Plans

ISIS’ activities have been expanding exponentially within the past two years with increasing world-wide public demand for accessible, critical scientific information and for other scientific inputs into the debate. Perhaps as the result of our success, things have come to a head as ISIS is being targeted in the mainstream media and the internet by pro-biotech scientists in US, UK and elsewhere. Concerted attempts have been made to attack and discredit us (see ISIS News#4 and #5). The corporations are reported to be spending US$250 million in a new public relations offensive. A rival scientists’ letter has been started by the pro-biotech lobby last November in the US to counter our World Scientists’ Open Letter, and ‘Cropgen’, a new pro-biotech group of scientists funded by industry, has been set up within the past months in the UK.

We see this as an opportunity to enhance public understanding of science and to bring sustainable, socially accountable science into the GM debate. In order to meet the ever increasing demands on our time and effort, however, we need serious commitments of funding for the next three years to attract the right personnel and to obtain the proper organizational support. Our major tasks shall be as follows.

1. Nucleate a Science Clearing House

The role of a Science Clearing House is to monitor scientific developments and to provide accessible scientific information, ultimately, for the global network of Third World and other governments and public interest organizations. This information will be widely circulated in the form of short summaries, special reports and other papers produced electronically as well as in hard copies. We hope to link up with local clearing houses which could be established along our model. And we shall be drawing on the expertise of other institutions, notably, the Norwegian Institute of Gene Ecology in Tromso, with which have been collaborating on an informal basis. This will be a very important part of the capacity-building on biosafety as the Biosafety Protocol has come into effect. At the moment, no such Science Clearing House exists. See Annex 1 for further details.

2. Capacity-Building on Biosafety for the Third World

Training programmes on genetic engineering and biosafety will be designed in collaboration with the Third World Network and the Norwegian Institute of Gene Ecology which would serve the needs of policy-makers as well as members of the public. We shall produce a series of accessible, interactive texts that can be adapted for different countries and local communities. Lecture tours will combine training of GM science and technology with evaluation of holistic, sustainable approaches to health and agriculture in the countries visited. See Annex 2 for further details.

3. Broadening the GM Debate

So far, ISIS has focussed largely, though not exclusively, on agriculture. We plan to enlarge the debate to health and medical applications including genetic screening, prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis, gene therapy, cloning, xenotransplantation, and stem cell techniques.

A special issue on medical applications in genetic engineering will be done for Third World Resurgence, the official publication of Third World Network, and one on Science and the Precautionary Principle will be produced with Edward Goldsmith of The Ecologist.

We shall formalize collaborations and cooperation with a network of public interest organizations around the world to help build a more coordinated information campaign.

In addition to appearances and writings in the popular and not so popular media, we shall be keeping a high profile in public debates and discussion, and continue to emphasize that science and technology must be socially accountable and sustainable. See Annex 3 for further details.

Publications – selected listing

Cummins, J., Ho, M.W. and Ryan, A. (2000). Hazards of CaMV promoter. Nature Biotechnology 18, 363.

Goodwin, B.C., Saunders, P.T., Ho, M.W., et al (1996). Patent threat to research. Nature 384, 108,

Ho, M.W. (1995) Genetic engineering: hope or hoax? Third World Resurgence 53/54, 28-29.

Ho, M.W. (1996). Are genetically engineered foods safe? M.W. HoThird World Resurgence ,

Ho, M.W. (1996) Unravelling gene biotechnology. Soundings 1, 77-98.

Ho, M.W. (1996) Are current transgenic technologies safe? Capacity building in biosafety urgently needed for developed countries. Paper presented for Workshop on Capacity Building in Biosafety for Developing Countires, Stockholm Environment Institute May 22-23. Abbreviated version in Biosafety Capacity Building: Evaluation Criteria Development (I. Virgin and R.J. Frederick, eds.), pp. 75-80, Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm.

Ho, M.W. (1996). Perils amid promises of genetically modified foods. Report for Greenpeace International.

Ho, M.W. (1997). Genetically engineered foods: The hazards are inherent in the technology. Third World Resurgence 79, 10-11.

Ho, M.W. (1997). The unholy alliance The Ecologist 27, 152-158.

Ho, M.W. (1997, 1998)(1999 2^nd ed.). Genetic Engineering Dream or Nightmare? The Brave New World of Bad Science and Big Businesss, Third World Network Gateway, Gill & Macmillan.

Ho, M.W. (1998). The life industry, The Ecologist 28, 182-4.

Ho, M.W. (1998). Seed-saving. The Ecologist 28(5).

Ho, M.W. and Ryan, A. (1999). Disease outbreaks: is there a GM link? GM-Free June/July.

Ho, M.W. (1999).Why genetic engineering is hazardous. Third World Resurgence #104/105, 22-25.

Ho, M.W. (2000). Back to Nature. The Guardian, May 24.

Ho, M.W. (2000). Anti GM is not anti science. The Guardian Letters, June 8.

Ho, M.W. (2000). Dodgey genes. The Guardian Letters, June 16.

Ho, M.W. (2000). Sustainable Science Audit #1 The ‘Golden Rice’ – An Exercise in How Not to Do Science, ISIS-TWN, London & Penang

Ho, M.W. (2000). Towards a new ethics in science. In Careers That Don’t Cost the Earth, An Ethical Careers Guide for Young Scientists, Scientists for Global Responsibility, London.

Ho, M.W., et al (1998). Sowing diseases new and old. Genetic engineering and the world health crisis. Third World Resurgence 92, 11-7.

Ho, M.W., Meyer, H. and Cummins, J. (1998). The biotechnology bubble. The Ecologist 28, 146-53, 1998.

Ho, M.W. and Ryan, A. (1999-2000). ISIS News #1 - #5.

Ho, M.W., Ryan, A. and Cummins, J. (1999). The cauliflower mosaic viral promoter – a recipe for disaster? Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 11, 194-197.

Ho, M.W., Ryan, A. and Cummins, J. (2000). Hazards of transgenic plants with the cauliflower mosaic viral promoter. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease (in press).

Ho, M.W., Ryan, A., Cummins, J. and Traavik, T. (2000). Unregulated Hazards: ‘Naked’ and ‘Free’ Nucleic Acids, ISIS and TWN Report

Ho, M.W. and Steinbrecher, R. (1998). Fatal Flaws in Food Safety Assessment: The Joint FAO/WHO Biotechnology and Food Safety Report, Third World Network.

Ho, M.W. and Steinbrecher, R. (1998). Opinion paper: Fatal flaws in food safety assessment: Critique of the Joint FAO/WHO Biotechnology and Food Safety Report, Environment and Nutritional Interactions 2, 51-84.

Ho, M.W. and Saunders, P.T. (1997). Will life itself be up for grabs? Letter to the Editor. The Guardian July 14.

Ho, M.W. and Tappeser, B. (1997). Potential contributions of horizontal gene transfer to the transboundary movement of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology. Proceedings of Workshop on Transboundary movement of Living Modified Organisms Resulting from Modern Biotechnology: Issues and Opportunities for Policy-makers (K.J. Mulongoy, ed.), pp. 171-193, International Academy of the Environment, Geneva.

Ho, M.W. and Traavik, T. (1999). Why Patents on Life-Forms and Living Processes Should be Rejected from TRIPS – Scientific Briefing on TRIPS Article 27.3(b), TWN and ISIS Report <www.i-sis.org.uk>

Ho, M.W., Traavik, T., Olsvik, O., Midtvedt, T., Tappeser, B., Howard, V., von Weisacker, C. and Gavin, G. (1998). Gene Technology and the Etiology of Infectious Diseases, Third World Network, Penang.

Ho, M.W., Traavik, T., Olsvik, O., Tappeser, B., Howard, V., von Weisacker, C. and Gavin, G. (1998). Gene technology and gene ecology of infectious diseases. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 10, 33-39.

Ho, M.W. (1999). Special safety concerns of transgenic agriculture and related issues. M.W. Ho, in Seminario Internacional sobtre Direcito da Biodiversidade, Revista cej: Centro de estudos Judiciarios do Conselho da Justica Federal, pp.120-6.

Ho, M.W. (1998). Deadly liason – dangerous gamble. In National Agricultural Biotechnology Council USA, Report.

Ho, M.W. (1998). Technologie genetique et ecologie des genes. In Transgenique: le temps des manipulations, pp.15-26, Editions Frison-Roche.

Ho, M.W. (1999). Weerwek tegen de heelijke nieuwe wereld. In Blauwe Banaen – Gemanipuleered Voedsel, ed. Alma De Walsche, pp.45-62, Noordzuid cahier Februari, Brussel.

Ho, M.W. (1999). Turning the tide on the brave new world.

Miflin, B. and Ho, M.W. (1999). Head to head. Sovereign 27, 44-48.

Ryan, A. and Ho, M.W. (1999). Transgenic DNA in Animal Feed. ISIS Report

Submissions and correspondences

Ho, M.W. (1997). Comments on HSE Health Directorate Executive consultation paper, "Draft Guidance on Certificate of Exemption No. 1". Sent to UK HSE, Members of Parliament, and circulated to UK and other scientists.

Ho, M.W. (1997). Further comments and reply to Angela Eagle of the UK Department of the Environment on release of GMMs in liquid wastes without treatment. Sent to UK Members of Parliament and circulated to scientists.

Ho, M.W. and Traavik, T. (1999). Comments on EU contained use Directive to European Commission.

Ho, M.W. (1999). Submission to TransAtlantic Economic Partnership Pilot Project on Biotechnology, on the Molecular Characterization Required for Commercial Approval of GMOs <www.i-sis.org.uk>

Ho, M.W. and Ryan, A. (2000). Submission re: The Proposed decision to add Chardon LL (Aventis – T25 Maize) to the National List, 20 April.

Saunders, P.T. and Ho, M.W. (1999). Submission to Select Committee on Science and Technology, UK Parliament, on Scientific Advise to the Government

Saunders, P.T. (1999). Submission to UK House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, on Science and Society

Institute of Science in Society

Director: Dr. Mae-Wan Ho

Board of Directors

Dr. David Ehrenfeld, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA

Prof. Samuel Epstein, Cancer Prevention Coalition, Univ. Illinois, USA

Mr. Edward Goldsmith, Editor, The Ecologist, UK

Mr. Zac Goldsmith, Editor, The Ecologist, UK

Dr. Mae-Wan Ho, Reader in Biology, Open University, UK

Mr. Mohammed Idris, Third World Network, Malaysia.

Prof. Peter T. Saunders, Dept. of Mathematics, King's College, UK

Advisory Council

Dr. Michael Antoniou, Dept. of Molecular Biology, Guy’s Hospital, UK

Prof. Joe Cummins, Geneticist, University of Western Ontario, Canada

Dr. Tewolde Egziabher, Institute of Sustainable Development, Ethiopia

Prof. David Suzuki, Geneticist, Sustainable Development Research Institute, UBC, Canada

Mr. Martin Khor, Director, Third World Network, Malaysia

Dr. David Korten, author and Editor, Yes! a Positive Future, USA.

Dr. Jerry Mander, Foundation of Deep Ecology, USA

Prof. Franco Musumeci, National Institute of Structured Matter, Catania University, Sicily, Italy.

Dr. Vandana Shiva, Research Foundation of Science and Ecology, India

Prof. Terje Traavik, Institute of Gene Ecology, Tromso, Norway

Brief Biographies

Mae-Wan Ho, Director of ISIS, gained her B.Sc. in Biology and Ph. D. in Biochemistry from Hong Kong University and began postdoctoral research in human biochemical genetics in University of California at San Diego. She soon won a competitive Fellowship of the National Genetics Foundation, USA, which enabled her to further her research in London University. She became Lecturer in Genetics, then Reader in Biology, and currently Senior Research Fellow at the Open University, UK, where she has continued an outstanding career in research and teaching across many disciplines, including molecular genetics. She is well-known as a leading exponent of a new science of the organism which has implications for holistic health and sustainable systems, and is currently visiting Professor of Biophysics in University of Catania, Sicily. She became scientific advisor to the Third World Network in 1994, and co-founded the Institute of Science and Society with her husband and long time collaborator, Prof. Peter Saunders of King’s College, London who shares her concerns about social accountability of science and science for sustainability. Her written materials on genetic engineering and related issues (including a best-selling book) have been translated into many languages; and have been used by public interest organizations all over the world in submissions to their governments and posted on many websites. She has participated in numerous debates, lectures, and interviews for radio, TV, newspapers and magazines in more than 20 countries around the world. She has over 200 publications including 10 books.

Peter Timothy Saunders, co-founder of ISIS, obtained his first degree in Mathematics in the University of Toronto, Canada, and his Ph.D. in Relativity and Cosmology in King’s College, London, where he is now Professor of Applied Mathematics. He has more than 35 years experience in teaching and scientific research, and is a world authority on complex dynamical systems, with key contributions to Gaia theory and physiological regulation. He has supported many of ISIS’ activities since the Institute was founded. As Council member of Save British Science and Editor of its Newsletter, he has introduced the debate on the commercialization of science into the mainstream. He chairs the Education Committee of the London Mathematical Society (the national mathematical society in the UK), of which he was previously a Council member for six years. He is also member of the Councils of European Mathematical Society, of the Executive Committees of the Joint Mathematical Council of the UK and of the UK Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. He has more than 90 publications including 4 books.

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