THE FACTS ON GE

The amount of information available on the subject of genetic engineering is overwhelming - and much of it is contradictory. What we provide here are some summaries of what we believe to be the main issues, as well as links to some of the web sites and books we recommend.

We have included information from a range of organizations that are advocates for a healthy environment, sustainable farming and food systems, and community-based democracies.

Click on any of the following links to view or print them.

WHAT IS GE?

Genetic Engineering and California Agriculture
A fact sheet produced by Californians for GE-Free Agriculture

Evaluating Genetic Engineering in Agriculture
Written by staff at the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center

The Giant Green Salmon & Other Cautionary Tales
Fact sheet produced by The Women's Environmental Network

People, Not Technology, Are the Key to Ending Hunger: The debate over biotechnology is a tragic distraction
Written by Francis Moore Lappé

HUMAN HEALTH

Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Food
Fact sheet produced by Genetically Engineered Food Alert

Genetically Engineered Foods Are Inherently Unsafe
Written by Jeffrey Smith, author of "Seeds of Deception"

Genetically Engineered Foods Pose Higher Risks for Children
Written by Jeffrey Smith, author of "Seeds of Deception"

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Genetically Engineered Crops and Pesticide Use in the United States: The First Nine Years

by Charles M. Benbrook, BioTech InfoNet, Technical Paper Number7, October 2004

Environmental Risks of Genetically Engineered Food
Fact sheet produced by Genetically Engineered Food Alert

More False Promises: Genetically engineered insecticidal crops and pesticide use
Fact sheet produced by Genetically Engineered Food Alert

WHO PROFITS

Agricultural Biotech Companies are Pesticide Companies
Fact sheet produced by Genetically Engineered Food Alert

In Biotech We Trust? Having Faith in the Companies that Genetically Engineer Our Food
Fact sheet produced by Pesticide Action Network North America

Corporate Profile of Monsanto
Fact sheet produced by Genetically Engineered Food Alert

Monsanto & Genetic Engineering: Risks for Investors

Analysis of company performance on intangible investment risk factors and value drivers.

FARMERS' RIGHTS

Genetic Contamination Case Studies
A fact sheet produced by Californians for GE-Free Agriculture

GMO Liability Threats for Farmers: Legal Issues Surrounding the Planting of Genetically Modified Crops
Produced by the Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc.

Monsanto vs. U.S. Farmers
A report produced by the Center for Food Safety

Farmers' Guide to GMOs

By David R. Moeller - Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) and Michael Sligh - Rural Advancement Foundation International - USA (RAFI-USA), January 2005

Monsanto has sued thousands of family farmers for patent infringements over its genetically engineered seed. Here is the 2005 user agreement. Would you sign this?

IMPACT ON ORGANICS

The Myth of Coexistence: Why transgenic crops are not compatible with agroecologically based systems of production.
Peer-reviewed published paper by UC Berkeley's Dr. Miguel Altieri describing the fact that GE crops are not compatible with organic farming or sustainable methods of production.

Fourth National Organic Farmers' Survey: Sustaining Organic Farms in a Changing Organic Marketplace
A report produced by the Organic Farming Research Foundation; contains a section on GE crops and their effect on organic production, costs and profitability.

The Dangers of Genetically Engineered Crops
A fact sheet produced by California Certified Organic Farmers

A Better Way of Doing Things: Alternatives to Genetically Engineered Crops
Fact sheet produced by Genetically Engineered Food Alert

10 Strategies to Minimize Risk of GMO Contamination
Fact sheet produced by The New Farm

INFO FOR VINEYARDS

The wine grape industry is the largest agricultural sector in Sonoma County, valued at approximately $310 million per year, employing thousands of people, and playing a huge role in the character of the region. The reports below provide information on the impacts of genetic engineering on this important industry.
Click on any of the following to view or print them.

Genetically Engineered Wine Grapes in Sonoma County: Issues and Challenges Confronting Growers and Winemakers (available soon)
By the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center

Marketplace Will Reject GM Wine
Produced by Greenpeace

INFO FOR DAIRIES

Daiary production in Sonoma County was valued at almost $100 million in 2004. Field crops such as alfalfa are also a large economic sector, and are related to dairy production since much of these products are used to feed dairy cattle.
Click on any of the following to view or print them.

The Problem with GM Alfalfa
Produced by the Western Organization of Resource Councils

Why Conventional Dairy Farmers Oppose the Cultivation of GMO Crops in Vermont
Produced by Rural Vermont

IMPACTS ON FISH & FISHERMEN

Fishing is another important sector of Sonoma County agriculture, valued at over $5 million in 2003. As summarized in the reports below, genetically engineered fish present a serious threat to the industry and ecosystem. Measure M protects fish and fishermen from these threats for the next 10 years.
Click on any of the following to view or print them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Genetically Engineered Fish
Published by the Center for Food Safety

Genetically Engineered Fish - New Threats to the Environment
Published by Greenpeace

MORE RESOURCES

Click here for a listing of recommended web sites and books.