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BIO? No! BIOJUSTICE!
http://www.biodev.org
International Days of Action against the Biotechnology Industry
June 24-25th, 2001, EVERYWHERE
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There's has been a lot of media excitement recently about GM wines. It turns out, however, that "the gene inserted into wine grapes creates a protein similar to a substance in bee venom that can cause anaphylactic shock in some people" (item 2), while the vines used produce wine that tastes like... (item1)

Meanwhile, "A Greenpeace survey of British retailers representing 80 percent of the UK's wine sales found that all would refuse to carry wine made from gene altered grapes."

Thanks to Marcus Williamson <http://www.gmfoodnews.com/> for item 1
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1. Subject: Re: Media enquiry : Genetically Modified grapes
From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Paul Wagner)
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2001 20:27:12 -0400

Dear Marcus:

The idea of genetically modified grapes is still very much in the future for the wine industry.  While the major story in the news  recently was that the University of Florida had developed a genetically modified grape vine that was resistant to Pierce's  Disease, this was not as exciting for us in the wine business as you might expect. In fact, the vines they were working with do not make good wine-and they have no idea when they might solve THAT problem.

Our focus has always been to make the best tasting wines that we can. That doesn't mean genetically altered grapes, it means growing grapes the old fashioned way.  Grapes must stuggle to produce tiny berries with intense flavor--and we well never forsake that character in our wines.

Paul Wagner
for Sterling Vineyards
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2. "GENETIC ENGINEERING CALLED RISKY BUSINESS FOR WINE INDUSTRY"
SAN FRANCISCO, California, June 20, 2001

California wine makers will face massive consumer rejection if they accept genetically engineered (GE) grapes, says a new report by Greenpeace.

More than 30 requests for field trials of engineered grapes have already been granted in California and other states, including research into GE grapes resistant to Pierce's disease.

News reports of field trials conducted by the University of Florida to engineer a wine grape resistant to Pierce's disease have been touting the grape as a potential panacea for California's grape disease problem. But the researchers have acknowledged that the gene inserted into wine grapes creates a protein similar to a substance in bee venom that can cause anaphylactic shock in some people.

A Greenpeace survey of British retailers representing 80 percent of the UK's wine sales found that all would refuse to carry wine made from gene altered grapes. Britain is the largest export market for California wine, consuming 30 percent of the state's wine exports." (ENS)