(OTTAWA) – The Green Party of Canada announces its solidarity with 168 groups from every continent in the world, some of whom are currently attending a high-level, two-week meeting of the United Nations on the protection of Biodiversity. We demand a moratorium on any commercial release of what is termed "gene-drive" technology – a new, aggressive type of GMO produced using CRISPRcas9 (a form of synthetic biology).
“Society cannot and does not necessarily want to stop research into the understanding of genomes. We do, however, want to slow or prevent ecosystem manipulation and potentially dangerous releases, and to put into place proper regulations, oversight and labeling that will protect life, ecosystems and humanity,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands).
“The latest ‘gene drive’ technologies have been labeled ‘genetic extinction technologies,’ because once the synthetic mutation is allowed into nature, it is designed to spread very rapidly to colonize every member of the species – permanently,” Ms. May said.
Researchers who developed the technology in just the past 24 months are shocked by their own success, and are themselves asking for social input and oversight. But major funding is now flowing towards producing and releasing gene-drive manipulated organisms from the likes of Bill Gates, Tata Industries Foundation and the U.S. Military’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). At the current UN meeting in Mexico, despite a stated commitment to the Precautionary Priniciple, the Canadian delegation is expected to continue unchanged the obstructive and biotech-friendly policies of the Harper government in international biodiversity negotiations.
"While acknowledging the tremendous potential benefits from the use of this technology, it is important to recognize that unfettered use comes with substantial environmental risk. It is imperative that we move quickly to establish regulation and oversight. We call on Canada to stand up to an industry that would run roughshod over our ability to protect the environment upon which we all depend,” said Lynne Quarmby, GPC Science Policy Critic.
At its Convention earlier this month, the Green Party passed a new resolution to support labeling and containment efforts for these latest developments in genetic engineering. The GPC urges other Canadian civil and political groups to recognize the dangers being discussed at the Biodiversity meeting in Cancun until December 17.
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