'Like slavery in past centuries there is no good patenting regime. It is totally at variance with the Biblical teaching that life is a gift of God to be shared by all. Christians believe that God, and not Monsanto, creates life.'
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CIIR AGM calls for a precautionary approach to GM
22 Oct 2004
http://www.ciir.org/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=91077

Key issues surrounding genetic modification (GM) and its potential impact on the world's poor were explored at the Annual General Meeting on 15 October of the Catholic Institute for International Relations.

After the business part of the AGM, chaired by Catholic journalist, ecologist and author Ellen Teague, two eminent guest speakers - Columban missionary Fr Sean McDonagh and Nicaraguan GM activist Victor Campos - took to the podium to make their case for a precautionary approach to the controversial topic of GM.

Taking inspiration from the central theme, 'GM - Beyond the Myths', Fr Sean McDonagh told CIIR members about his attendance at the recent conference, 'Feeding the World; The Moral Imperative of Biotechnology,' held on September 24 at the Gregorian University in Rome and co-sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Dublin-based Fr McDonagh, who has written numerous books on the GM, including: 'The Vatican and GE Food?' and 'Patenting Life? Stop!' said that his main concern was that GM was pitched at the conference as a solution to world hunger, a concept he disputes.

He said: 'Genetically Engineered (GE) crops will not feed the world. Many countries where poverty is endemic are actually food exporters. Brazil is the third largest exporter of food in the world and yet one fifth of its population - 32 million - go to bed hungry every night.'

He added: ' GE crops are patented so the Catholic Church, which presents itself as a Pro-Life institution, should recoil in horror at the arrogance involved in patenting life. Like slavery in past centuries there is no good patenting regime. It is totally at variance with the Biblical teaching that life is a gift of God to be shared by all. Christians believe that God, and not Monsanto, creates life.'

He continued: 'Hunger and malnutrition are caused by poverty that results from inequitable economic, social and cultural policies. The Holy See should not allow itself to be hijacked by giant corporations whose only concern is to make trillions of dollars by selling crops to poor people in the majority world. The Holy See should listen to the voice of development workers, and Christian leaders in the Philippines, South Africa and Brazil.'

Victor Campos, a Nicaraguan farmer, renowned lecturer and sub director of Centro Humboldt, Nicaragua's leading environmental watchdog, talked about how GM crops had been brought into his country as food aid.

Outraged by this situation, which effectively robbed Nicaraguans of the chance to object to GM prior to its arrival in their land and in their food, Mr Campos set up an NGO called The Alliance for a Nicaragua free of GMOs, which gains more members each year and has pushed the issue higher up the political agenda. Mr Campos also spoke about the devastating impact of GM on poor small farmers, who carry out the age-old practice of sharing and saving seeds.