Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility

Biotechnology has made important advances adding much of value to our scientific heritage. However, the technology of genetic engineering is seriously flawed.

Moving genes between species is changing the shape of our world. It, and the patenting of plants and animals, has extended property rights into biology, providing the potential for direct control over much of the world's agricultural production and thus its food supply.

The lack of research into the risks associated with this technology causes grave concern: e.g. transgenic crop production is in relatively uncontrolled conditions, posing bio-security and health threats to animals and humankind; the production of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals using this technology has had some success, but has also brought disasters.

Applying the precautionary principle, keeping genetic engineering technology experimentation in strict containment, insisting on rigorous, independent, peer-reviewed testing will not have an adverse effect on truly scientific research, and may prevent a disaster more grave than any we have previously seen.

The exciting new developments in molecular genetics research must be incorporated into a wider view of biological knowledge rather than being pursued as an exclusive goal so that science will continue to make important contributions to humanity's legacy of achievements.

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