*[Enwl-eng] Stop killer genes
ENWLine
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Gene drives are a new technology that creates genetically engineered mosquitoes, flies and rats. It could destroy entire ecosystems. A majority of Europeans are against it. We need world leaders to ban it. Send them a message before they meet tomorrow. |
Hi,
Scientists warned us that it’s too risky to start using gene drive technology because it could destroy entire ecosystems. You’ve been part of this fight and already helped get our MEPs on our side. Now a recent poll shows that the vast majority of Europeans agree. [1]
We all want scientific progress and to eradicate diseases. Gene drives could play a role. [2] But right now the risks are too high. With what we know about gene drives so far, their effects cannot be predicted, stopped or reversed. We need to understand it before we mess with it!
Tomorrow, global leaders are meeting to discuss the technology at one of the most important preparatory UN conferences worldwide.
It’s our chance to voice our concerns to ensure global leaders know that the vast majority of Europeans don’t want gene drives released until we fully know the risks. We’ll have the support of our partners who will present our message at the meeting. We can give their message much more power if we contact decision makers directly as well.
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Did you know that there are already organisations planning the release of gene drives into nature in Burkina Faso? [3] More of these risky experiments are planned in Uganda, Mali and Ghana. [4] These experiments have consequences for all of us. No company or foundation should be allowed to decide without oversight on the future of entire ecosystems.
We can stop them with a global ban. Each country that calls for a ban is one step towards a win.
This Thursday, experts and decision makers will discuss important questions in preparation for the key UN meeting that will take place this autumn. The EU will play an important role to convince other countries to ban gene drives. But that is not enough: sharing your voice via Twitter or email can make all the difference.
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We and more than 200 organisations worldwide are calling for a global moratorium on the release of gene drive organisms to protect biodiversity. [5] Together we have already moved European Members of Parliament. It was a big win. [6] They agree with us that this technology is too risky to be released into nature. Now we have a chance to move world leaders. For that we need your action. It only takes a few minutes.
Thank you,
David (London), Annemarie (Berlin), and the entire WeMove Europe team
PS: The YouGov poll WeMove members helped fund shows that 65% - 82% of Europeans across 8 countries agree that environmental releases of gene drive organisms should be postponed until there is scientific proof that their release would not harm biodiversity, human health, agriculture or peace. Send a Tweet or an Email now!
References:
[1] Poll funded in part by WeMove members
https://www.wemove.eu/news/survey-eu-citizens-reject-genetic-engineering-wild-species-gene-drives
[2]
Some scientists plan to use gene drives to combat infectious diseases such as
malaria or stop invasive species such as rats, or eliminating herbicide or
pesticide resistance. A strong involvement of military agencies in the research
also indicates their potential use as weapons.
https://www.stop-genedrives.eu/en/applications/
[3] The first
disease the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation wants to tackle is malaria.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/25/gm-mosquitoes-released-burkina-faso-malaria-gene-drive
[4]
https://www.technologyreview.com/2017/03/14/153247/in-africa-scientists-are-preparing-to-use-gene-drives-to-end-malaria/
[5]
https://www.etcgroup.org/sites/www.etcgroup.org/files/files/forcing_the_farm_sign_on_letter_english_web.pdf
[6]
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-004964_EN.html
WeMove Europe is an independent and values-based organisation that seeks to build people power to transform Europe in the name of our community, future generations and the planet.
WeMove Europe is funded by donations from our community across Europe. Can you chip in with a few euros a month and help make sure we can move fast to win the campaigns that matter to all of us? Donate
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