15/September/20

 

This summer 78 environmental, agricultural, animal welfare and development organisations called on the European Union to outlaw the release of Gene Drive Organisms, warning that reprogramming or eradicating entire animal populations posed grave risks. But given that the UK government has made “liberating” biotechnology a flagship goal and has begun a push to deregulate gene-editing, it seems unlikely that it would support a moratorium. And there’s already a gene drive on the drawing board for deployment specifically in Britain – even though a proven successful biological control method is available. GMWatch

 

 

Utility patents can lock up plant genetics — including culturally important crops — for decades, halting access and opportunity to further adapt these crops to changing climates and societal needs. Using utility patents, giant seed companies like BASF are sending threatening letters to small seed companies, warning against “unlicensed or unauthorized use” of BASF technology and/or germplasm. The descriptions ranged from tomatoes “having pink fruits” to the more broad “drought tolerant plants” and “onions with high storage ability". In essence, seed companies like BASF are claiming credit for thousands of years of co-evolution between plants and humans, and claiming control over our ability to feed ourselves. Now Organic Seed Alliance has launched the Seed Patent Watch project in order to help craft policies that allow seed stewards to protect themselves, and take action against utility patents. Civil Eats

 

 

Soon the European Court of Justice will present its judgement on Bayer's neonicotinoid ban appeal. This decision could uphold or crush the full ban on bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides that people have worked so hard to pass, so it's crucial that bee lovers from across Europe and beyond get to have their say. Bayer's own head of sustainability said he'd "accept the judgement of a society" on neonics. Add your name now to tell him and all of Bayer's bosses you're on the bees' side! SumOfUs