GMW: Researchers say university blocked video on GM crops

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GMW: Researchers say university blocked video on GM crops

" GM WATCH " <info

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 09:52:55 +0100

 

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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" University spokesman John Danakas would not say what restrictions the

university would place on how the video is screened, because those

details have not yet been discussed with the researchers. "

 

That's 3 years after the film, which the the University of Manitoba are

worried might offend Monsanto, was made.

 

That needs to be set in the context of just how far some Canadian

universities allow their staff to go in operating as propagandists for

the

biotech industry. A situation which has lead one Canadian academic to

comment, " what some are doing today under the umbrella of academic

freedom is actually not far removed from the proclamations of Orwell's

Ministry of Truth. "

http://www.gmwatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=257

 

Such academic propagandists, of course, can attract significant

industry funding. Witness the Food Safety Network at the University of

Guelph

which has attracted funding from Monsanto, DuPont, Eli Lilly, Syngenta,

Pioneer Hi-Bred, ConAgra, McCain, McDonald's, Nestle, Ag-West Biotech,

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., Southern Crop Protection Association,

Pharmacia, AgCare, the (biotech industry funded) Council for

Biotechnology

Information, etc., etc.

http://www.gmwatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=257

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Researchers say University of Manitoba blocked video on GM crops

September 12, 2005

Helen Fallding

CP Wire [via Agnet]

 

WINNIPEG -- Stephane McLachlan, an environment professor at the

University of Manitoba, and his PhD student Ian Mauro, were cited as

accusing

the university of blocking the release of their video exploring the

risks of genetically modified crops while at the same time courting funds

from biotech companies.

 

The story explains that the two completed a feature-length documentary

in 2002 with help from independent Winnipeg filmmaker Jim Sanders, and

is based on interviews with Prairie farmers about their experiences --

good and bad -- with genetically modified canola.

 

But the Seeds of Change video has never been screened because the

university and the researchers, who share the copyright, have been

unable to

negotiate an agreement on its release.

 

The story explains that the university originally demanded assurances

it would not be liable if anyone sued. One insurer demanded a $50,000

deductible for any lawsuits by crop marketer Monsanto, which has a

reputation for protecting its interests vigorously through the courts.

 

The company is featured in the documentary because of its legal battle

with a Saskatchewan farmer and its development of genetically modified

wheat. Monsanto Canada spokeswoman Trish Jordan was quoted as saying,

" Obviously, we've never seen (the video), so I'm not sure how these guys

could assume that we would sue them. "

 

Now that a private investor has pulled out of the Seeds of Change

project and the filmmakers have made it clear they don't intend to make a

profit, the lawsuit issue has apparently been dropped by the university.

 

Alan Simms, who represented the university in early negotiations before

going on to head the university's Smartpark research complex, was

quoted as saying, " I've seen (the video) and I think it's fair. It's

not a

biased kind of thing. "

 

But McLachlan said the university is still demanding control over where

and when the video is shown, while at the same time requiring a

disclaimer indicating the project has nothing to do with the university.

 

University spokesman John Danakas would not say what restrictions the

university would place on how the video is screened, because those

details have not yet been discussed with the researchers.

 

The university wants to make sure the documentary is only used for

educational purposes, he said.

 

 

 

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