Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN)

In 2018, more than 99% of genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) organisms planted around the world were herbicide tolerant (45%), insect resistant (12%) or both traits combined (42%). https://www.globalagriculture.org//BuchWebTransformationFo

Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser has died at 89, on October 13, 2020. Percy was taken to court by the biotechnology company Monsanto, in a case that he fought all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. Monsanto alleged infringement of the company’s patent rights over its genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) Roundup Ready glyphosate-tolerant canola. Monsanto’s GM canola was found in Schmeiser’s field but he had never paid for the right to grow it, and he sai...d the seeds blew onto his field in the wind. Supreme Court judges, in a 5-4 decision (2004), ruled that Percy was guilty of having Monsanto’s patented genetic sequence on his land, and of not having advised Monsanto to come and remove the GM plants. The court held that Monsanto had the right to their patented genetic material, even though the company could not prove how it got onto the farm. In this case, the courts were not ruling on the question of liability for accidental contamination. The case did, however, confirm that the patent over a genetic sequence applies to the whole organism that hosts it. Percy was not ordered to pay Monsanto's legal costs. Corporations should not be able to control people, seeds, plants, and food through patent law. Percy Schmesier, 2007. https://cban.ca//pro/on-the-market/canola/percy-schmeiser/ See more

Listen and share the short interview with BJ McManama of the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) on the network's opposition to releasing the genetically engineered American chestnut tree in Canada and the US: "By introducing a foreign object into our forests it is absolutely treading on our rights. Our treaty rights, our cultural rights and our self-determination to make these choices on our own." https://stopgetrees.org/bj-mcmanama/

Canada is negotiating a free trade agreement with Mercosur countries, including Brazil, that would open Canadian markets to Brazilian beef and soy which is driving Amazon deforestation. Brazil accounts for more than one third of soy production globally - over 92% is genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant soy. https://www.nationalobserver.com//feds-urged-walk-away-bra

This Thanksgiving, thank you to all the farmers who stand up to corporate power. "My parents received thousands of letters from other farmers who were either in the same situation or didn't like what Monsanto was doing," said John Schmeiser, the son of Percy and Louise Schmeiser. He said his father was ready to retire and wasn't looking for a fight, but took a stand against Monsanto on principle. Percy and Louise, both 89, are keeping a low profile in retirement. They just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Percy, who has Parkinson's disease, isn't strong enough to speak publicly anymore. Louise told CBC News that she liked the movie and appreciates all the support they have received over the years. https://www.cbc.ca//saskatch/percy-movie-farmers-1.5748575

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thank you for your support and action.

Give thanks this weekend - and send a letter to the head office of your grocery store! If you don't want to eat a genetically modified (GM) non-browning apple, how will you know without labelling? Ask your store to keep the GM apple off the shelves. https://cban.ca/grocery-store-contacts/

The majestic American chestnut is an endangered species in Canada and the US, largely due to a blight. Researchers in the US want to plant genetically engineered blight-tolerant American chestnut trees in our forests. You can find out more and take action to oppose this large-scale experiment: www.cban.ca/treesaction

The two scientists who discovered "one of gene technology's sharpest tools: the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors" have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Emmanuelle Charpentier & Jennifer A. Doudna: "This technology has had a revolutionary impact on the life sciences, is contributing to new cancer therapies and may make the dream of curing inherited diseases come true." What is it & what are the risks of using it in agriculture? See CBAN's report https://cban.ca/GenomeEditingReport

No longer a distant threat: Researchers are now asking the US government to approve planting genetically engineered (GE or genetically modified) American chestnut trees in eastern US forests, and say they want to plant them in Canadian forests also. Take action in Canada today: www.cban.ca/treesaction

The pesticide treadmill with genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant crops is speeding up. In the US, the 2,4-D/glyphosate pesticide formula "Enlist" from Corteva (Dow-Dupont) may not kill dicamba-resistant populations of the weed Palmer amaranth: "Our fieldwork suggests that these dicamba-resistant populations are also tolerant to 2,4-D." https://www.dtnpf.com//went-wrong-weed-control-2020-ahead-2

Concern raised about the scientific rigour of today's conference in Europe about new genetic engineering techniques of genome editing (gene editing): "Instead of scientific arguments, assumptions are made that are not sufficiently based on science." https://www.testbiotech.org//lobby-activities-disguised-sc

The release of genetically engineered (GE or genetically modified) trees is no longer a theoretical threat to forest ecosystems. US researchers are asking for approval to plant GE American chestnut trees in North America. If you're part of an environmental/social justice group with concerns, please sign the statement of objection: https://stopgetrees.org/group-sign-on/

As predicted, insects have become resistant to the toxins in genetically modified insect-tolerant (Bt) crops - so the US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to remove most of them from the market over the next 3-to-5 years. Check out the list of GM seeds with multiple (stacked) Cry proteins/Bt toxins: https://www.dtnpf.com//29/epa-proposes-phasing-dozens-bt-c