resources + info

We’ve selected some other really useful online resources on key aspects of the genetic engineering issue – links to organisations, factsheets, briefings and reports.

Browse the topic areas.

Health Concerns

Links

Organic Guide
Comprehensive online guide to organic farming and buying in Australia.
Public Health Association of Australia
The Association is also involved in advocacy for public health policy, development, research and training. They have a policy on GE foods.
Union of Concerned Scientists
Promote sustainable agriculture and strengthening government oversight of GE food.

Factsheets

Our Food Under Threat
A great general factsheet on the issues and problems with GE food crops.
The risks of GM crops for RNA interference (RNAi): summary
The environmental and food safety of all GM crops is highly questionable but crops for RNA interference (RNAi) pose particular risks
Briefing and reports
“Long-term Persistence of GE Canola in the Seedbank”
A scientific paper that provides evidence of long-term GE seed persistence in conventional agriculture.
‘The Science: GMO myths and truths.’
Michael Antoniou, PhD is reader in molecular genetics and head, Gene Expression and Therapy Group, King’s College London School of Medicin
Australia’s wheat scandal report
The biotech takeover of our daily bread
Eating in the Dark: How Australia’s Food Regulator is Failing us on Genetically Engineered Food (2008)
Shows how Australia’s food regulator is gambling with the health of consumers in order to please agrochemical corporations.
Environmental and health impacts of GM crops – the science
This briefing gives an overview of scientific evidence regarding the environmental and health risks of genetically modified crops.
Herbicide tolerance and GM crops
Why the world should be Ready to Round Up glyphosate
MON863 Corn: A Case Study in Incompetence
Details how Food Standards Australia New Zealand came to approve a GE corn, MON863, that was later declared to be unsafe.
TECHNICAL BRIEFING: The risks of GM crops for RNA interference (RNAi): full paper
The environmental and food safety of all GM crops is highly questionable but GM crops for RNA interference (RNAi) pose particular risks
The Case of MON863 Corn
Peer-reviewed evaluation of Monsanto’s data that outlines why MON863 should not have been approved in Australia or the European Union.
Third World Network Briefing: Genetic Engineering and Omitted Health Research
Looks at health hazards related to GE plants used as food or feed.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Links

Econexus
A not-for-profit public interest research organisation. It investigates and analyses developments in science and technology.
Friends of the Earth
Support traditional and small-scale agriculture against trends of globalisation and corporatisation.
GM Contamination Register (Greenpeace and GeneWatch UK)
Records all incidents of contamination arising from the intentional or accidental release of genetically engineered organisms.
Pesticides Action Network
A network spanning 90 countries working to replace the use of hazardous pesticides with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives.

Factsheets

Marker: genetic engineering not needed
Marker assisted selection (MAS) presents not only an alternative but may be in the long run superior to genetic engineering
Our Food Under Threat
A great general factsheet on the issues and problems with GE food crops.
Ten facts about GM foods
Most of the myths about GM are deliberately created by GM companies so we thought it was time to get a few things straight.
The risks of GM crops for RNA interference (RNAi): summary
The environmental and food safety of all GM crops is highly questionable but crops for RNA interference (RNAi) pose particular risks
Why GM trials are risky (and expensive) business
Australia is set to be the first country in the world to commercially grow GM wheat.
Briefing and reports
Australia’s wheat scandal report
The biotech takeover of our daily bread
Environmental and health impacts of GM crops – the science
This briefing gives an overview of scientific evidence regarding the environmental and health risks of genetically modified crops.
GE Canola: Out of Control in Canada (PDF)
Reviews the Canadian experience of growing GE canola crops, and the lessons Australia should learn from it.
GM Contamination Register Report 2007
A 2007 review of cases of contamination, illegal planting and negative side effects of genetically modified organisms.
GM Spliced Bread Report
Greenpeace Australia Pacific has launched a critical report detailing the development of genetically modified (GM) wheat in Australia.
Herbicide tolerance and GM crops
Why the world should be Ready to Round Up glyphosate
Patenting the “Climate Genes” and Capturing the Climate Agenda
Are “climate-ready genes” a silver bullet solution to climate change or just a golden opportunity to push GE crops?
TECHNICAL BRIEFING: The risks of GM crops for RNA interference (RNAi): full paper
The environmental and food safety of all GM crops is highly questionable but GM crops for RNA interference (RNAi) pose particular risks

IMPACTS ON FARMERS

Links

Biological Farmers of Australia
Works to influence standards development for organics and support the growth of the Australian organic market.
GRAIN
International NGO promoting sustainable management and use of agricultural biodiversity based on people’s control over genetic resources.
Network of Concerned Farmers (Australia)
An Australia-wide network of conventional and organic farmers concerned about the economic, environmental and social impacts of GE crops.
Organic Food & Farmers’ Markets
Organise organic food and farmers’ markets around Sydney.
Organic Guide
Comprehensive online guide to organic farming and buying in Australia.
Percy Schmeiser’s website
Renown farmer from Saskatchewan, Canada. His canola fields were contaminated with Monsanto’s GE canola.
The ETC Group
An organisation dedicated to the conservation and sustainable advancement of cultural and ecological diversity and human rights.
Union of Concerned Scientists
Promote sustainable agriculture and strengthening government oversight of GE food.

Factsheets

GM Crops and Food Security
Questions whether GE crops really can “feed the world”.
Our Food Under Threat
A great general factsheet on the issues and problems with GE food crops.
Ten facts about GM foods
Most of the myths about GM are deliberately created by GM companies so we thought it was time to get a few things straight.
Why GM trials are risky (and expensive) business
Australia is set to be the first country in the world to commercially grow GM wheat.
Briefing and reports
Australia’s wheat scandal report
The biotech takeover of our daily bread
GE Canola: Out of Control in Canada (PDF)
Reviews the Canadian experience of growing GE canola crops, and the lessons Australia should learn from it.
GM and Drought Tolerance
Considers claims by proponents of GM crops that transgenic, drought-tolerant crops will lead to a huge yield increase to “feed the world”
GM and Saline-Tolerant Crops
Examines claims that GM saline-tolerant crops are nearly available to farmers, enabling them to produce crops on land damaged by salination.
GM Spliced Bread Report
Greenpeace Australia Pacific has launched a critical report detailing the development of genetically modified (GM) wheat in Australia.
Monsanto vs U.S. Farmers Report
Documents Monsanto’s lawsuits against American farmers – thousands of investigations, nearly 100 lawsuits and numerous bankruptcies.
Patenting the “Climate Genes” and Capturing the Climate Agenda
Are “climate-ready genes” a silver bullet solution to climate change or just a golden opportunity to push GE crops?
Risky Business
The economic and regulatory impacts from the unintended release of GE rice into America’s rice merchandising system.
Solving the Global Food Crisis
Explains why GE crops will fail to deliver an equitable and sustainable model of agriculture.
The Economics of Genetically Engineered Canola
Examines the economic costs of GE canola resulting from contamination, based on experiences in the USA and Canada.

SOLUTIONS

Links

Australian Community Food
Search for wholesome food supplier near you.
Clean Food Organic
The definitive guide to organics in Australia.
Farming Solutions
Shares examples of successful, environmentally responsible farming systems from all over the world.
Friends of the Earth
Support traditional and small-scale agriculture against trends of globalisation and corporatisation.
Organic Food & Farmers’ Markets
Organise organic food and farmers’ markets around Sydney.
Organic Guide
Comprehensive online guide to organic farming and buying in Australia.
Union of Concerned Scientists
Promote sustainable agriculture and strengthening government oversight of GE food.

Factsheets

Marker: genetic engineering not needed
Marker assisted selection (MAS) presents not only an alternative but may be in the long run superior to genetic engineering
Our Food Under Threat
A great general factsheet on the issues and problems with GE food crops.
Ten facts about GM foods
Most of the myths about GM are deliberately created by GM companies so we thought it was time to get a few things straight.
Briefing and reports
Organic Agriculture and Food Security in Africa
Examines the relationship between organic agriculture and food security in Africa, particularly East Africa.

FEEDING THE WORLD

Links

Friends of the Earth
Support traditional and small-scale agriculture against trends of globalisation and corporatisation.

Factsheets

GM Crops and Food Security
Questions whether GE crops really can “feed the world”.
Our Food Under Threat
A great general factsheet on the issues and problems with GE food crops.
Ten facts about GM foods
Most of the myths about GM are deliberately created by GM companies so we thought it was time to get a few things straight.
Briefing and reports
Feeding the World with GM Crops: Myth or Reality?
Examines the current food crisis and claims that GE crops are a solution.
GM and Drought Tolerance
Considers claims by proponents of GM crops that transgenic, drought-tolerant crops will lead to a huge yield increase to “feed the world”
Organic Agriculture and Food Security in Africa
Examines the relationship between organic agriculture and food security in Africa, particularly East Africa.
Solving the Global Food Crisis
Explains why GE crops will fail to deliver an equitable and sustainable model of agriculture.