German civil society groups urge parliament and the government to fight the influence of industry
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Munich
Today a broad coalition of civil society groups in Germany are starting a petition calling on the German Parliament to strengthen the position of independent risk research especially in the field of biotechnology. “Despite criticism raised by many sides, the German government has not yet taken any action. Our petition gives the German parliament an opportunity to send a clear signal”, says Ruth Tippe for the Gene-Ethic Foundation which officially filed the petition.
14000 signatures against patents held by US company Intrexon
Friday, 3 May 2013
Munich
After more than 14.000 people signed a petition, several organisations have filed an opposition against the European patent EP1572862 held by the US company, Intrexon. The patent was granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2012 and claims many animal species including chimpanzees. According to the patent, the company wants to manipulate the animals with artificial DNA synthesized in partial analogy to the genome of insects. Intrexon is working in the field of “synthetic biology” and aims to produce animals with changed gene regulation to sell to the pharmaceutical industry.
Today, the participants of the international research project GRACE (GMO Risk Assessment and Communication of Evidence) meet in Berlin. Future guidelines for the risk assessment of genetically engineered plants are the centre of this project, and its outcomes could have far-reaching consequences for approval procedure and risk research in the EU. A Testbiotech report published today shows significant conflicts of interest between leading GRACE experts and the biotech industry. Testbiotech is calling for the project to be stopped and an independent review carried out.
26 March 2013 Today the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) published a positive opinion regarding the cultivation of genetically engineered maize 59122. Jointly marketed by the US seed and agrochemical companies, Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences, it produces two Bt toxins (Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1) and is tolerant to pesticides containing glufosinate as the active ingredient. EFSA´s opinion doesn't include the use of glufosinate as maize 59122 will not be commercialised as a herbicide tolerant plant.
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