Submitted by ETC Staff on
ETC Group exposed the Venter Institute’s controversial patent applications on the world’s first human-made living organism built entirely from synthetic DNA (dubbed “Synthia” by ETC Group). Newly published patent claims reveal an even bigger grab for ownership of synthetic life.
Submitted by ETC Staff on
Las Organizaciones Campesinas invitadas a participar a la reunión de la ONU sobre el Tratado que rige el intercambio de semillas para la investigación y la mejora vegetal declararon ayer a los gobiernos reunidos que el Tratado debería ser suspendido. Hablando en nombre de 28 organizaciones campesinas y de la Sociedad Civil, Ibrahima Coulibaly del ROPPA (Red de Organizaciones Campesinas y de Productores Agrarios de África del Oeste) dijo que “el Tratado, bajo los auspicios de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y Alimentación (FAO) en Roma, tiene que paralizar el intercambio de germoplasma de cultivos - material crítico para la mejora vegetal. La suspensión debe mantenerse hasta que los gobiernos cumplan las obligaciones mínimas del Tratado incluyendo las previsiones financieras básicas”, concluyó el líder campesino africano.
Submitted by ETC Staff on
Farmers’ organizations who were invited to attend a United Nations meeting on the Treaty that governs the exchange of crop seeds for research and plant breeding late yesterday told the assembled governments that the Treaty would have to be suspended. Speaking on behalf of 30 farmers’ and other civil society organizations, Ibrahima Coulibaly of ROPPA (regional farmers’ organization of West Africa) said that, “the Treaty, hosted in Rome by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), must halt the exchange of crop germplasm – the critical material for plant breeding. The suspension should remain in effect until governments meet the minimal obligations of the Treaty including its core financial arrangements,” the African farmer leader concluded.
Submitted by ETC Staff on
Based on 2006 revenues, the top 10 seed corporations account for $13,014 million or 57% of the commercial seed market worldwide.
The top 3 seed companies account for $9,000 million – or 39% of the commercial seed market worldwide.
The top 4 seed companies account for 44% of the commercial seed market worldwide.
The world’s largest seed company, Monsanto, accounts for 20% of the world’s commercial seed market.
Submitted by ETC Staff on
Compañía Valor de las ventas en 2006
(Millones de dólares)
1. Monsanto (EEUU)
+ Delta & Pine Land (pro forma) $ 4 476
2. Dupont (EEUU) $ 2 781
3. Syngenta (Suiza) $ 1 743
4. Groupe Limagrain (Francia) $ 1 035
5. Land O`Lakes (EEUU) $ 756
6. KWS AG (Alemania) $ 615
Submitted by ETC Staff on
A report on policy options for governance of synthetic biology is a disappointing effort that fails to address wider societal concerns about the rapid deployment of a powerful and controversial new technology. Synthetic biology aims to commercialize new biological parts, devices and living organisms that are constructed from synthetic DNA - including dangerous pathogens. Synthetic biologists are attempting to harness cells as tiny factories for industrial production of chemicals, including pharmaceuticals and fuels. ETC Group describes the synthetic biology approach as "extreme genetic engineering."
Submitted by ETC Staff on
El reporte sobre opciones para la gobernanza de la biología sintética es un esfuerzo decepcionante que no discute las enormes preocupaciones sociales acerca del rápido desarrollo de esta nueva tecnología, poderosa y controvertida. Con la biología sintética se espera comercializar nuevas partes biológicas, artefactos y organismos vivos construidos con ADN sintético, incluyendo patógenos peligrosos. Los biólogos especializados en esto intentan adaptar las células para que funcionen como fábricas microscópicas para la producción industrial de químicos, fármacos y combustibles. El Grupo ETC describe a la biología sintética como “ingeniería genética extrema”.
Submitted by ETC Staff on
WASHINGTON, DC – With the joint release of Principles for the Oversight of Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials, a broad international coalition of consumer, public health, environmental, labor, and civil society organizations spanning six continents called for strong, comprehensive oversight of the new technology and its products.
The manufacture of products using nanotechnology–a powerful platform for
manipulating matter at the level of atoms and molecules in order to alter properties–has exploded in recent years. Hundreds of consumer products incorporating nanomaterials are now on the market, including cosmetics, sunscreens, sporting goods, clothing, electronics, baby and infant products, and food and food packaging. But evidence indicates that current nanomaterials may pose significant health, safety, and environmental hazards. In addition, the profound social, economic, and ethical challenges posed by nano-scale technologies have yet to be addressed.
Submitted by ETC Staff on
WASHINGTON, DC – Con la publicación conjunta de los Principios para la Vigilancia de la Nanotecnología y los Nanomateriales, una amplia coalición internacional de organizaciones de consumidores, defensores de la salud pública, el medio ambiente, trabajadores y organizaciones de la sociedad civil, distribuidas en los seis continentes, convocaron a una fuerte y amplia vigilancia de esta nueva tecnología y sus productos.
Submitted by ETC Staff on
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