Plans to control the food chain by international biotech companies continue to grow. Meanwhile byline laws fall behind on regulating the production, processing and labelling of transgenic (or genetically modified) foods.
A few years back I produced a DVD, 'Unjust Genes - Life and Death For Sale'. It was a faith and science based aid; a discussion and action on genetically engineered (GE) food. GE and genetically modified (GM) are inter-changeable terms. It asked who wants it? Who benefits? It argued from social justice that GE robs farmers when seed, fertiliser and chemical prices come under a monopoly. It argued from health reasons that consumers are eating unlabelled food with unknown genetic consequences. It argued from religion that GE patents attempt to own the building blocks of life, a free gift of God given for all.
Monsanto, a major player in Australia, has commercialised GM canola crop and is now trying to add GM wheat to the agenda. GM cotton seed is already a major source of unlabelled vegetable oil.
Dedicated campaigners on the dangers of GM food are suffering continued abuse. Campaigner websites have been violated. This happened to GM Watch. Genetic scientists have suffered personal attacks and ridicule. Millions of dollars have been spent by biotech ‘friends’ trying to discredit their peer reviewed research. The latest very public victim is Prof Gilles-Eric Séralini from France.
By way of contrast, biotech companies refuse to publish the science behind their GM products claiming "commercial confidentiality". Because of commercial partnerships, Australia’s iconic CSIRO has lost its reputation for independently published research and testing done in the common interest. Consumers of GM products have become the guinea pigs and lab rats in these power plays.
How come the law does not defend farmers, consumers and researchers? The simple answer is that legislators have succumbed to fear a fall in the biotech share prices; government regulators have been colonised by biotech trained 'experts'. Meanwhile the food chain - seed, fertilisers, processors, markets - is falling under biotech companies' vertically integrated control.
For both social justice and religious reasons, people of faith are called to cooperate with other groups to expose and counter the GM promoting companies. For beginners in this arena, a 'one stop shop' website has been put together by GM Watch. It explains the issues, explores the myths and offers a range of video clips and links to Facebook and Twitter.
The last two Catholic Popes have introduced the term 'ecological vocation' into Church social teaching. Students and leaders in Catholic medical, nursing and ethics faculties could see action on GM foods as part of following their vocation for health. Suppliers for school canteens can also get active. I believe the mystery of life is to be nurtured and rejoiced in, not abused by controllers of biotech.
Fr Charles Rue SSC is the Co-ordinator of Columban Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) and is based at the Columban Mission Institute, NSW.