Statements

Colin Campbell

Since first hearing of the full extent to which the use of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops could effect both humanity and its environment, I have been constantly horrified by its implications. Although I have only recently become actively involved in the protest against the insertion of, in my view, "extraneous" gene material within that of otherwise normal crops, I feel that the best way for me to participate is to take part in direct actions against the companies responsible.

It seems bizarre to me that such risks are being taken merely in the pursuit of a larger profit margin. I find it incomprehensible that there has been vastly insufficient examination as to the possible long term effects, for the sole reason of immediate production.

As a member of genetiX snowball- a non-violent civil responsibility group- it is my hope that our collective actions will both be seen and taken heed of. Our goals are simple, we call not for a complete ban on GM crops, but for a five year moratorium, so that the appropriate tests can be performed in a controlled environment, thus ensuring that there is no risk of genetic pollution via cross pollination and suchlike, until the effects of the aforementioned can be made clear to us. It is my belief, that if such a moratorium, were to be enforced, humanity would be stood in much better stead to make an educated decision as to how it would like to proceed in this respect.

The importance of avoiding cross pollination by GM crops is twofold. Not only could it prove dangerous to health and the environment due to the lack of extensive research, but also for the simple fact that the contamination of otherwise completely organic crops, could, and probably will, risk the lively hood of farmers who do not support the use of GM crops. For this reason it is abundantly clear to me that this experiment with ecology is not something which can be controlled in an open experiment.

I feel that it is of vital importance to stress that all actions performed by genetiX snowball are done so with the highest possible degree of openness. By this I mean all relevant parties are informed in advance as to our intentions for each protest. It is always made very clear to the police, relevant farmers and also the responsible seed companies, that absolute nonviolence is of the utmost importance to us.

Therefore, because of my beliefs on this issue, I will take an active part in the action against Sharpes Seeds International on Sunday 16th 1998. I will do so by pulling up one genetically modified sugar beet plant. I intend on only pulling up one plant because I believe that this shows that if everyone pitched in to protest against these crops by uprooting and disposing in a safe manner, (of) one of these plants, the companies responsible for creating these crops would not be able to avoid this issue, and would be forced to comply with public opinion. I believe that pulling up more than one of these plants is superfluous to my goal as a member of this group, and would lend itself more to a destructive side of protest, as opposed to a peaceful action in order to let the public know the possible dangers of these crops.

I utterly defend my 'criminal' actions on this day as a response to the corporate criminal actions of Sharpes Seeds International. Such is their recklessness, that they irresponsibly use antibiotic resistance markers, as opposed to other safer and more predictable means, despite the condemning of such markers from as far back as four years ago. Their meagre justification being that it is the most primitive way of doing so.

We feel that direct action against companies such as Sharpes Seeds International is necessary in order to get our message across, as the 'appropriate' legal channels seem painfully insufficient on their own to allow us to achieve our goals as a group.

'Biotechnology companies erroneously claim that their manipulations are similar to natural changes or traditional breeding techniques. However, the cross species transfers being made, such as between fish and tomatoes, or between other unrelated species, would not happen in nature, and may create new toxins, diseases, and weaknesses. In this risky experiment, the general public is the guinea-pig'.
Palmiter, R.D., et al (1986) in Annual review of Genetics.

COLIN CAMPBELL (15.8.98)