Terminator Seeds

[Guest guest]

Dear Herbalists,

Terminator Seeds are the brainchild of those who wish to sell seeds

to the public that produce infertile crops. For instance, Monsanto would

sell wheat to India and, the resulting wheat crop having seeds that are

infertile, India would then be unable to save some of its seeds for the

next crop but would buy the next seeds for its complete crop from

Monsanto.

Traditionally, farmers have always selected some of their crop to be

kept for their own use as next years seeds.

Monsanto and other Seed Producers are very busy creating Terminator

seeds for fruit trees, grain crops and vegetable crops. The aim is to

totally dominate the seed market in the world.

To allow no one else on the planet to produce their own seeds.

Most of the plants that we use originally came from the wild. They

were developed over time by cross breeding to be what they are today.

Would Terminator seeds, therefore cross over into the wild ancestors

and cause them to produce infertile seeds? Would this not only affect

the vegetation but the wild animals that eat these products and then,

ultimately us?

This question has not been adequately answered.

I. personally, would like the to have a ban on Terminator seed

production until these questions can BE answered. If you would - then

please read on..............................and make your voice

heard........and pass on to others.................Thank you Penny

Khaled (Organic Consumers Association)

 

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

P.O. Box 396, Pine Bush, NY 12566, (845) 744-8448, Fax: (845)

744-8477; email: Campaign

www.SustainableAgriculture.net

July 19, 2000

PUBLIC HEARING ON BIOTECHNOLOGY

 

TELL USDA WHAT YOU THINK OF

TERMINATOR TECHNOLOGY!

 

USDA's recently-established ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURAL

BIOTECHNOLOGY (ACAB) will be meeting in Washington, DC next week, July

26-27 at the OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL, 2500 Calvert St. NW, Washington, DC

20008

(202-234-0700)

 

This committee has scheduled discussion on USDA's role in the Terminator

 

technology, and will hold a public comment period in the middle of this

debate.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE 5-7 PM ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

If you are in DC, it is very important that you attend this meeting! To

 

make oral statements at the meeting, you must register by Friday, July

21

via email or fax to Michael Schechtman (mschechtman; fax:

202-690-4265). Make sure you include your name, affiliation, and

contact

information.

You must also register just to attend the ACAB meeting -- 8:30 am - 7 pm

 

Wednesday, July 26 and 8:30 am - 5:00 pm on Thursday, July 27. To

register

to attend contact Cindi White at 202-690-8647; fax: 202-720-3191; email:

 

cwhite ASAP.

 

USDA staff have recently prepared a " discussion paper " on its

co-ownership

of several patents for the " Control of Plant Gene Expression, "

(Terminator). The Committee is also requesting public comment on this

paper. To view this paper:

http://www.usda.gov/agencies/biotech/downloads/paper72000.html (or call

the

National Campaign for a fax copy).

 

TELL USDA TO STOP ITS ONGOING SUPPORT OF NEW RESEARCH ON

TERMINATOR/TRAITOR TECHNOLOGIES.

USE PUBLIC DOLLARS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR RESEARCH

 

Despite widespread opposition to USDA's involvement with Terminator

technology, the agency continues to use taxpayer dollars to support

genetic

seed sterilization. Controversy over the Terminator technology has

generated an avalanche of public opposition. USDA is blatantly ignoring

the

public outcry.

Tell ACAB that USDA should stop using USDA's scarce public research

dollars

to pursue a dangerous, antifarmer technology that threatens

biodiversity. USDA must:

** Abandon all research on genetic seed sterilization.

 

** Develop a policy prohibiting the use of public

research dollars on Terminator technologies

** Use public research dollars to support plant

breeding

for sustainable agriculture

 

If you cannot attend these meetings, make your voice heard in a letter

to

ACAB:

Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy

Secretary, USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th and

Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250; 202-720-3817; Fax:

202-690-4265; email: mschechtman

 

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National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture

P.O. Box 396

Pine Bush, New York 12566

Phone: 845-744-8448

Fax: 845-744-8477

email: campaign

www.SustainableAgriculture.net

If you would like to join our (free) Action Alert Network, please email

us

your name, address, phone, fax, and email.

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