Genetic Engineering

Forest and Bird, Issue 295, 1 February 2000, Page 3

Genetic Engineering

As with all organisations, it is important for Forest and Bird to remain focused on what we are trying to achieve — the welldefined set of objectives published on the contents page of our magazine. It is disturbing that a number of individuals try to use the Forest and Bird platform to promote their own personal views on matters that do not fall within that focus. In particular, I refer to the contentious issue of genetically modified organisms. I have recently seen three local branch newsletters that have published articles on GMO and one, our local branch, has invited an anti-GMO campaigner to speak at one of our meetings. Of the three articles, two were grossly unbalanced, demonstrating nothing more than the author’s leaning on the matter. It wouldn't be so bad if they were about how the GMO issue relates to conservation matters but they weren't. Forest and Bird members have every right, as individuals, to express their opinions on such matters. However, there are a number of other relevant organisations via which we can do so. By straying outside our area of focus, we not only take our ener-

gies away from trying to achieve our main goals; we also run the risk of alienating members who wish to be part of our conservation efforts but who don’t wish to be involved with other issues. Before I get labelled as such, no, I am not a pro-GMO campaigner. Whilst I believe that there are a number of positives to be had from GMO, I also agree that there are potential dangers that need to be addressed, but through the right channels. Simon Fordham, Whitford Forest and Bird councillors argued their way through such issues at their last annual meeting. The Society’s position relates only to the effects that genetically-modi-fied organisms might have on the environment. The council’s resolution reads: ‘Forest and Bird urges the Government to adopt a precautionary approach to genetic engineering because of the significant uncertainty over the environmental risks of genetically engineered species or their hybrid derivatives becoming established in the wild, to the detriment of indigenous biodiversity or to domestic animal or crop species.