GMW: Bio-Democracy 2005 Confronts US Bio-Technology

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GMW: Bio-Democracy 2005 Confronts US Bio-Technology

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Fri, 17 Jun 2005 16:41:05 +0100

 

 

 

 

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Bio-Democracy 2005 Confronts US Bio-Technology

Carolina Cositore

http://www.plenglish.com/Article.asp?ID=%7BA45A1540-4016-461E-89F1-A19023FBD780%\

7D & language=EN

 

Angry that the world " s largest convention of bio-tech and

pharmaceutical executives will be held in Philadelphia June 18-21 to

proceed with

their agenda of genetically engineered agriculture, bio-weapons

proliferation and healthcare for profit, a large coalition of

organizations aims

to challenge them with a festival, teach-ins, and " creative action. "

 

This diverse group, which includes Philadelphia RAGE (Resistance

Against Genetic Engineering), the Institute for Social Ecology, the

Student

Environmental Action Coalition, Mobilization for Social Justice and many

more, claims that the bio-technology industry is attacking US people´s

well-being and democracy without their consent.

 

Concerned that open-field testing of genetically engineered plants and

animals has the potential of disrupting natural ecosystems, harming

human health and contaminating the world " s diverse seed supplies, the

coalition seeks to transform the food system dominated by corporate

profit

margins.

 

Among Bio-Democracy 2005 " s demands are a moratorium on the use of

genetically engineered plants and animals, a halt to the production,

testing

and use of biological and chemical weapons and an end to the patenting

of life, as well as a call for democratic participation in all

decisions affecting the future of life and human society on earth.

 

The coalition demands a moratorium on the actual use of chemical and

biological weapons in Iraq, Columbia and elsewhere, while demanding

reparations for victims of US chemical attacks in the past and

present, and

criminal sanctions against the government officials and corporations

who authorized and carried out those attacks.

 

The groups express support for farmers, farm workers, gardeners,

scientists and indigenous people who are practicing and working toward

sustainable and ecological systems of agriculture. They also recognize,

celebrate and fight for biodiversity and diversity of cultures and

knowledge.

 

A " reclaim the commons " festival with free food will kick-off the

protest that will include seminars on sustainable agriculture, the

healthcare crisis, communities resisting genetic engineering,

bio-weapons, US

militarism and the myths of bio-defense.

 

Tuesday, June 21, is billed as a " day of action with parades and

rallies for universal healthcare, the earth and peace, with " creative

action "

against bio-weapons proliferation, genetic engineering and greed-based

healthcare.

 

 

 

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