NOTE: Do check out http://www.iamnolabrat.com/

EXTRACT: Earlier in the week, "letters of appreciation" from a fictitious company called Monsterco were distributed amongst newspaper readers in various parts of the city, thanking readers for becoming lab rats in an experiment; further, morning walkers on Tank Bund were greeted by scientists from Monsterco seeking to recruit lab rats for their genetic experiment.
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"Who wants to be a lab rat?"
Press Release

Hyderabad, September 24 2008: A unique consumer mobilization campaign on Genetically Modified (GM) foods called "I Am No Lab Rat" was launched in the city today by famous actress and environmental activist Ms Amala Akkineni.

The campaign intends to create awareness amongst urban consumers about what GM foods are, the known health impacts of such foods and the fact that consumers will have no choices left if GM foods are allowed in.

This campaign, jointly undertaken by organizations like Association for India's Development-Hyderabad, Bhumi, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), Chetna Organic and COVA is part of a larger movement spearheaded by the Coalition for a GM-Free India.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Amala Akkineni said, "Nowhere in the world has a GM vegetable crop like Bt Brinjal been allowed however, in India, the industry and the government are keen on bringing in this unnaturally-created brinjal. It should be remembered that there is scientific evidence from the world over that GM foods cause a variety of health problems including organ damage, impaired immune systems, adverse effects on growth & development and even negative impacts on the next generation. Why are we allowing ourselves to be made into guinea pigs in this corporate-profit-driven genetic experiment? Say NO to GM foods and affirm that you are not a lab rat".    She released awareness materials in the form of posters and a handbook on the occasion.

The campaign, to be launched in various other cities of India too, targets the Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, urging him to step in and stop any GM foods from coming into India. The petition to the Minister reminds him that his party, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) was the first political party in the country to take a stand against GM crops. A new website called www.iamnolabrat.com was started as part of the campaign from where consumers who do not wish to be lab rats can send a petition to the union health minister, the organizers informed.

An informal survey done in June 2008 with 500 consumers of Hyderabad showed that only 8.4% had knowledge about GM crops. This shows the lack of informed debate amongst consumers about something as basic as their food safety.

The "I am no lab rat" campaign intends to make consumers aware of GM foods and to ascertain their right to choice and food safety. With the entry of Bt Brinjal or any other GM food, the consumer's right to choice would be violated a normal brinjal and Bt Brinjal would look the same and in a country like India, a labeling regime or systems of segregation/identity preservation are impossible to enforce.

Earlier in the week, "letters of appreciation" from a fictitious company called Monsterco were distributed amongst newspaper readers in various parts of the city, thanking readers for becoming lab rats in an experiment; further, morning walkers on Tank Bund were greeted by scientists from Monsterco seeking to recruit lab rats for their genetic experiment. About 25 volunteers of the campaign will reach out to consumers in colleges, shopping malls, bus stops etc., in the coming week. Shoppers in the upmarket mall from which the campaign was launched expressed their strong rejection for such GM foods.

For more information, contact:
1.     Kiran Vissa, Association for India's Development-Hyderabad at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. /97-017-05743

2.     Kavitha Kuruganti, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. /93-930-01550

3.     Arun Ambatipudi, Chetna Organic at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 94-406-26144

4.     Rakesh Kumar Reddy, Bhumi at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 98-854-19012