Statements

Andrea Needham

Genetically engineered organisms are being released into the environment at this and many other sites throughout the UK without any idea of their long-term effects on the environment or human health. Genes are not stable entities whose function can be neatly predicted. Scientists do not know what the long-term effects may be; if research carried out so far tells us anything it is that once inserted into a different organism, genes have the potential to behave in ways beyond anyone's imagining. Despite this, genetically engineered plants are being released as if they were no malign than a new variety.

Studies show the vast majority of people don't want genetically engineered food. The biotechnology companies respond by telling us it will benefit the starving masses of the Third World, the environment, the consumer. In fact, it will benefit nobody but the companies themselves. They have only one purpose in developing genetically engineered crops: profit.

I believe the release to the environment of these organisms is a criminal act. It has the potential to damage the environment and destroy lives. We the public are being ignored in the race for ever-larger profits. The crops are in the ground already; the damage is being done now. There is no more time to write letters of protest.

I feel that as a responsible citizen I have no alternative but to act to prevent the terrible crime looming before me. I therefore intend to peacefully and accountably pull up some of these genetically engineered plants myself, in order to prevent that crime. I will also encourage others to do likewise in the hope that by acting together we can create a better, more human world.

Andrea Needham
July 18 1998