Terminator Seeds
By | Oct 9, 2007
Terminator Seeds (Genetic Use Restriction Technology - GURT)
ICBC is concerned about the use of this technology and submitted the following points in a letter to the Minister for the Environment in March 2006:
“With regard to GURT, we note that the technology is not yet commercially available. The benefits of GURT are seen as predominantly applying to production companies as protection of Intellectual Property. There may be some benefits in the future in particular situations, such as possible reduction of volunteer GM plants e.g. pine trees in New Zealand.
“However, should GURT become available, our concerns are as follows:
1. If GM plants are modified so that seeds produced are infertile, farmers in countries where it is the practice to harvest seeds from one year to propagate them the following year, will be greatly disadvantaged. This will create a huge economic problem for such countries, particularly for those that are vulnerable and impoverished.
2. There is a possibility that pollen that carries a trait that will confer seed infertility after the pollination of the flowers could fertilise non-GM plants and in doing so produce infertile seed.
3. Pollen from infertile plants may reduce the production of fertile seeds by diluting fertile pollen with infertile pollen.
4. There are risks that influential financial interests may make it difficult for less powerful communities to choose the seeds which they wish to plant.
“We were very supportive of the government’s decision to ratify the Cartagena Protocol. This enables New Zealand to take part in discussions from a position of strength and to influence decisions for the benefit of the environment and of third world and vulnerable countries.
“We urge the New Zealand government, as a signatory of the Cartagena Protocol, to insist that all countries, particularly third world and poor countries have the freedom of choice enshrined in the Protocol. It is essential that countries have access to the best seed available, while at the same time being able to reject seed which includes technology that would limit their use. This is particularly relevant in situations where ability to propagate crops from seed harvested the previous year is a tradition and a necessary part of the economy.”
Users
“Would to God that all the Lord's people were Prophets.” Num. 11:29
Join in and add to the JUSTwiki today. Stories, reflection, news, comment. Be heard. Be just.
Hikoi of Hope: Walking On – Introduction
If there were a national referendum on changing the voting system, would you...
Submit a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Comments
Seeds
May 11th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Seeds…
To check the formula of the offered mixed seed click here (link naar kruistabel) for the X- reference table, read the other stories in this category or follow the links below for particular ingredients….