You can now watch the recording of ” New Breed GMO’s – Threat or Promise ” on the (Biodynamic Association) BDA YouTube Channel via this link https://youtu.be/V9dCLHTGgoQ and feel welcome to share it / post it on your social media channels as appropriate.
The “Chat” from the webinar which was very valuable is attached. Lynda also posted a helpful summary of the webinar in the BDGC Facebook Group – copy of this at end of this message.
To keep updates on all that is happening and what actions we can all take to combat this, visit Beyond GM’s excellent website here https://beyond-gm.org
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New Gene-Editing Technology – Threat or Promise? What are the threats to our food and farming?
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Hi folks – massive thanks to those who joined our GM webinar on Thursday. It was deeply fascinating, reinforced both how complex and serious this issue is.
Pat Thomas gave a slide presentation with an excellent overview and we also heartily recommend Beyond GM’s consumer friendly website https://beyond-gm.org which will keep you update with what’s happening.
In the second part of the presentation Lawrence Woodward shared some provocative insights about the need to re-set the narrative raising the question could gene edited organisms impact adversely on the very essence of life?; and the need to advocate Whole Health agriculture, https://wholehealthag.org and practice wholistic farming systems which enhance the health and well-being of soils, plants, animals and people. Which is a pretty good definition of what Biodynamics is all about !
A few take home points came across strongly:
· Government and many NGO’s are favourable to gene editing as a means of providing potential ‘silver bullet’ bespoke solutions to environmental, farming (and gardening) and animal welfare challenges.
· If we as consumers and citizens are to have any choice then transparency and labelling will be vital – but this is not assured. Should gene-editing be viewed legally as not the same as genetic modification, currently there is no legal requirement to label it.
· The language being used around gene editing is designed to be reassuring and give the impression gene-editing is safe, benign, and an extension of a natural process. Potential downsides, adverse unintended consequences are not part of the ‘official’ dialogue
· Gene-edited ingredients in processed foods will be a reality
· It threatens organic, biodynamic and other forms of regenerative agriculture who wish not to use gene-editing; this will have implications for certified organic and biodynamic food
The webinar gave us all much food for thought – there is much more to find out about, but we hope this has awakened your curiosity.
