---------- > From: Dora Ann Lange Canhos <dora@bdt.org.br> > To: Multiple recipients of list <biodiv-l@bdt.org.br> > Subject: [Fwd: [Fwd: (Fwd) GIVE YOUR SUPPORT TO SWISS REFERENDUM ON GMOs,...]] > Date: 23 March 1998 10:07 > > > > -- > Dora Ann Lange Canhos E-mail: dora@bdt.org.br > http://www.bdt.org.br/~dora Tel: +55 19 242-7022 > Base de Dados Tropical Fax: +55 19 242-7827 > Fundacao "Andre' Tosello" (http://www.bdt.org.br/bdt/) > >
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- To: adriano <contag@tba.com.br>, andre <hoelzer@uni-bremen.de>, Angela Cordeiro <acordei@hotmail.com>, apremavi <apremavi@rsol.com.br>, Armando <tkleba@cse.ufsc.br>, Capobianco <socioamb@ax.apc.org>, cica <lobos@vossnet.de>, David Hathaway <hathaway@netflash.com.br>, "denis böhme" <nostromo@informatik.uni-bremen.de>, dora <dora@bdt.org.br>, "ecoa@msinternet.com.br" <ecoa@msinternet.com.br>, feijao <wschmidt@mbox1.ufsc.br>, Iara <iara@cfh.ufsc.br>, "Jean Marc e Silvio Gomes," <aspta@ax.apc.org>, joerg <anjudin@ibm.net>, marcinha <grisotti@matrix.com.br>, Marilena Lazzarini <idecbr@ax.apc.org>, Monica <kalt@iwt.uni-bielefeld.de>, Sandra Lopez <capina@ax.ibase.org.br>, Simone <kimura_gluesing@compuserve.com>, sylke <sydrasch@zfn.uni-bremen.de>, Teu <lhmeyer@furb.rct-sc.br>, Tristan <toddeast@zedat.fu-berlin.de>, woll <woll@informatik.uni-bremen.de>
- Subject: [Fwd: (Fwd) GIVE YOUR SUPPORT TO SWISS REFERENDUM ON GMOs,...]
- From: John Kleba <kleba@uni-bremen.de>
- Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 23:14:58 -0800
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- To: genet-news@agoranet.be
- Subject: (Fwd) GIVE YOUR SUPPORT TO SWISS REFERENDUM ON GMOs,...
- From: "Ingrid Hamakers" <genet@mail.agoranet.be>
- Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 15:47:03 +0000
- Reply-To: "Ingrid Hamakers" <genet@mail.agoranet.be>
- Sender: owner-genet-news@agoranet.be
mailinglist genet-news ------------------------- From: Stephanie Howard <steph@ASEED.ANTENNA.NL> SUPPORT SWISS REFERENDUM ON GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS and ANIMALS and PATENTS ON LIFE PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY! On June 7, Swiss people will have the opportunity to vote for strict limitations on genetic engineering, its applications and accompanying legislative frameworks (legal protection for biotechnological inventions - i.e., patents on life). The referendum, the initiative of the largest ever gathering of organisations in Switzerland, proposes the following additions to the Swiss constitution: A prohibition of: the creation of and trade in genetically modified animals; the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment; the patenting of genetically modified animals and plants or parts of them, or processes or products involved. (Below you will find a more detailed description of the proposed changes to the constitution and the history of the referendum.) Lucky Swiss, you say! How many of us wouldn't give our right arms for such an opportunity in the European Union. However, home-base for giant transnationals such as Nestle, Novartis and Hoffmann-Laroche, Switzerland and the Swiss people are under siege from a massive, 35, 000, 000 SF barrage of pro-biotech propaganda through all media channels. Among the psychological manipulations are the portayal of the Swiss as backward (everyone else in Europe has had these debates and concluded in favour of genetechnologies), a yes to strict limitations on genetechnologies would be a no to progress (their definition thereof). The initiators of the referendum need your support as a counterweight to the massive industry pressure and as an encouragement to Swiss people to actually go and vote and vote YES! You can sign the petition below. And you can write a letter of support to the initiators stressing the DUTY of Swiss people to vote YES to severe restrictions on the practice of genetechnlogies in Switzerland. International support for the campaign to secure stringent limitations on the applications of genetic engineering and to ban patents on life will be used to encourage the public to vote YES (for a ban on all of the above). A victory for the YES will be an important victory for all individuals and organisations in Europe. It would create a strong case for campaigns worldwide: we will be able to point to the fact that where the public has been consulted, they have clearly said no to genetechnologies. So please give your support to the referendum! INTERNATIONAL PETITION IN SUPPORT OF THE REFERENDUM ON TRANSGENIC SEEDS AND THE PATENTING OF LIFE IN SWITZERLAND To strengthen our many struggles for liberation from multinational colonialism, we call on the swiss people's solidarity to stand up against the patenting of life and the use of genetically engineered species. The Swiss people have the unique chance to reject this 'development', we ask them to hear out appeal and vote YES to the referendum. This will show a clear and strong sign to the world that where people can express a vote, they then reject patenting of life and the direction followed by the promoters of genetic engineering. SIGNED: Name: Organisation: Address: Number of Members: Country: Signature: PLEASE SEND TO GREENPEACE SWITZERLAND NO LATER THAN MARCH 27 Greenpeace Switzerland 10 rue de Neuchatel CP 1558 Ch 1211 GENEVA 1 fax: + 41 22 741 03 64 tel: + 41 22 731 00 18 email: phr@artamis.org FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE REFERENDUM: A Wording of the "gene protection initiative" B What do the paragraphs of the gene protection initiative mean? C History of the gene protection initiative D Popular Rights in Switzerland **************************************************************** A Wording of the "gene protection initiative" --------------------------------------------- Proposal for the amendment of the Federal Constitution, paragraph 24decies: 1 The Confederation enacts rules to prevent abuse of genetic engineering and hazards caused by genetic modification of animals, plants and other organisms. It respects the dignity of the creatures and the inviolability of beings, the conservation and use of genetic diversity and the security of humans, animals and environment. 2 Prohibited: a) The creation and acquisition of genetically modified animals; b) The release of genetically modified organisms; c) The patenting of genetically modified animals and plants or parts of them, or processes or products involved. 3 The legislation gives directions concerning: a) The creation of and trade in genetically modified plants; b) Industrial production with genetically modified organisms; c) Research with genetically modified organisms, which poses a risk to human health or the environment. 4 Applicants must prove utility, security, absence of alternatives and ethical acceptability. ***************************************************** B What do the paragraphs of the gene protection initiative mean? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Paragraph 1 is primarly a legislation mandate to the government. Human genes are already protected by a paragraph adopted in a 1992 votation. The gene protection initiative seeks to extent the protection to other organisms. This paragraph summarizes the intention of the following paragraphs. It seeks to guarantee that within the legislation, higher standards are respected, e.g. the Rio convention, in particular the protection of biodiversity and the dignity of creatures. Paragraph 2a seeks to draw a boundary in the field of animal protection and animal ethics. It forbids the genetic manipulation of animals and trade in genetically altered animals. The technological breeding of animals is banned. Cloning as such would still be permitted. But clone experiments, such as those which produced Dolly the sheep, are only interesting****** in connection with a previous genetic modification of the "object" and would in practical terms be thereby prevented. Furthermore, the genetically produced, so-called disease models, where (human) diseases are artificially expressed in animals, would be prevented. Paragraph 2b sets an ecological boundary. The prohibition on the release of genetically modified organisms limits genetic engineering to closed systems (greenhouses, laboratories, fermenters, bioreactors). The cultivation of genetech plants and applications with viruses or bacteria in the open air would be banned. Gene therapies or inoculations with living-organism vaccines are allowed since excretion of patients are not treated as release. Paragraph 2c sets an ethical and socio-political boundary. The prohibition of patenting life asserts that genes and organisms are not inventions, nor stable systems nor intellectual property like chemicals or machine parts. Existing patent law says this already, the initiative simply seeks to reaffirm the status quo. Paragraph 3 is only a legislation mandate, a specification for the remaining organisms such as plants and micro-organisms. There are no prohibitions. It is not written: "The legislation forbids... " but rather "the legislation gives regulations... ". Regulations which regulate the activities mentioned are to be created. Paragraph 3 calls for safe conditions and the monitoring of laboratories or factories. Or the liability: Whoever can justify gentech applications pays in an accident. Paragraph 4 implicitly contains an expanded grant procedure with a reversal of burden of proof. The term "Applicant" refers, for example, to companies which want to launch a genetically manufactured product. They have to prove the items mentioned. ********************************************************************** C History of the gene protection initiative ------------------------------------------- In 1992, a new article for the federal constitution was accepted in a votation. It concerns human reproduction technologies. Artificial fertilization (in-vitro-fertilization IVF) is allowed under certain conditions, and limits are set (e.g. prohibition of embryo research or lending-maternity). For non-human organisms, the article contains certain principles, such as respect for the dignity of beings. This article was not strict enough for some groupings. Conservative groups launched an initiative which seeks to forbid human IVF. The government is working on a reproduction medical law as a counter-proposal, which allows IVF but forbids gene technology with humans (germ line therapy, egg donation). The date of this votation is not fixed yet. To expand the protection of genes to all other beings the "Swiss working group gene technology" launched the "gene protection initiative". It was submitted in 1993 with around 111000 signatures. The Federal Council ("Ministers") and both chambers of the Parliament recommend the rejection of the amendment in the votation that will take place on June 7th 1998. The social-democratic party prepared a counter proposal in order to give people the possibility to select between stricter and less strict gene protection regulations. The counter-proposal would have allowed explicitly the "manufacturing" of genetically altered animals as an exception for medical research. The weaker counter proposal was also rejected by the parliament without discussion, and people will not be able to vote on it. *********************************************************** D Popular Rights in Switzerland ------------------------------- Elections All Swiss citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to take part in the elections to the National Council. Persons who may vote can also stand for election. However, active members of the clergy and civil servants of the Federation must choose between elected office and their profession. The Federation has no responsibility for elections to the Council of States; the cantons apply their own rules. Popular ballots Persons who are entitled to take part in elections to the National Council may also vote in Federal popular ballots. A vote of this kind must be taken on all amendments to the Federal Constitution and on accession to certain international organizations (compulsory referendum). For the proposal to be adopted, a majority of the valid votes cast (popular majority) must be secured as well as a majority of the votes of the cantons (majority of states). A popular vote only has to be taken on laws, important Federal decrees of Parliament which have a similar status to laws, and on certain treaties in international law if this is specially requested (see referendum). In that case, a majority of the votes cast will suffice for adoption. Popular initiative (like the gene protection initiative) By signing an initiative within a period of 18 months, 100,000 electors may seek an amendment to the Federal Constitution; the amendment will be adopted if the people and cantons accept the proposed revision in a popular ballot. Cantons (State initiative) and Members of Parliament have a similar, although less binding, right to make proposals. A popular initiative may either put forward the exact new text of the Constitution or be couched in the terms of a general proposal. Referendum Referendum is to all intents and purposes simply another word for a popular ballot. A referendum is compulsory on any amendment to the Constitution. A vote must only be taken on Federal laws and decisions of Parliament with equivalent effect (see popular ballots) if this is requested by 50,000 electors who give their signatures within 90 days - 100 days remaining for decrees which will come into force with effect from 1st April 1997 - (optional referendum). In popular parlance, this is known as "asking for a referendum." Eight cantons acting together may also seek a referendum. Petition Everyone is entitled to present a petition to any authority. His or her interests must not be prejudiced as a result of having done so.-- END included message
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