The industry and US lobbying of the Vatican has been so sustained and intense that the Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR) ”” an international charity working for justice and the eradication of poverty - has for the last year had on its website a sample letter to the Vatican expressing concerns about GM crops and the way in which biotech corporations are actively seeking the endorsement of the church.

As many of the points are relevant to the Vatican-US conference on Friday, we reproduce it below.

It is also available as a word file:
http://www.ciir.org/content/news/documents/Environmental Action sample letter.doc

Incidentally. CIIR are returning to the GM theme at their AGM, under the heading 'GM ”” Beyond the Myths.' There will be two main speakers - Columban missionary priest Fr Sean McDonagh and Victor Campos, a renowned Nicaraguan activist and GM specialist. http://www.ciir.org/ciir.asp

Finally, although CIIR's letter is addressed to ardinal Martino, as Friday's conference is being organised via the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences, you may prefer to address your concerns to:

Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences
Msgr Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo
Casina Pio IV
00120 - VATICAN

*For maximum speed, send by fax: +39-0669885218*
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Cardinal Renato Martino
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
Piazza S. Caliston 16
00120 Citta del Vaticano
ROME

Dear Cardinal Martino,

I am writing to express my concerns about genetically modified (GM) crops and urge you to ensure that the Vatican does not endorse, and is not seen to endorse, GM crops.

I recognise that supporters of biotechnology are seeking to influence the Vatican over GM crops. The Vatican consultation seminar on GM crops in Rome in November 2003 had numerous speakers giving a positive analysis on the biotechnological approach to agriculture, and few voices speaking against it. Jim Nicholson, the US ambassador to the Vatican, has said he regards the promotion of GM foods for the hungry as an important moral issue for the new millennium.

These arguments, that GM crops can provide the solution to famine and poverty, appeal to our natural concern for our brothers and sisters in poverty. However we must recognise that the solution to famine and poverty lies in just political structures and sustainable development, not only in scientific advancement.

There is a growing number of local church organisations such as Masipag organic farmers of the Philippines, the Jesuits’ agricultural institute in Zambia, and the Columban Missionary Society who have organised a campaign against patenting of life who are urging that the needs of the poor are given priority over the profits of the biotechnology corporations. Bishops in Brazil, the Philippines and South Africa have all expressed concern over the imposition of GM crops.

In Britain, a warning that GM crops will make subsistence farmers in developing countries more dependent on the big multinational corporations was sounded by the Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR) on 1 March 2003. The institute has said that moves by the biotechnology lobby to pitch genetically engineered (GE) organisms as a solution to world hunger is an irresponsible misrepresentation of the situation. The institute believes GE crops would instead exacerbate world food insecurity and suffering. This is supported by the concerns of their grassroots partners and of others (see above). A particular cause of concern is the genetic modification of seed to render it sterile. CIIR has pointed out that these crops constitute a serious danger to genetic diversity and to the farmers’ ability to choose non-GE crops. The Catholic aid agency, CAFOD, also takes the view that the still widely repeated claims that GE crops are necessary for or will contribute significantly to overcoming hunger and poverty in the developing world are misleading.

Within the next few years the Vatican may have to decide whether or not GM wheat is acceptable for Eucharistic celebrations. I hope you will take the view that it is not. I would also like to be reassured that the Pontifical Council will consult broadly with grassroots church groups and non-governmental organisations who oppose GM technology from the perspective of justice for the poorest.
Yours sincerely,