Briefings
Detailed, referenced briefings and other detailed documents on a range of GM-related topics. Most have been created by GM Freeze but we also include some from our members or partners where they are the experts on this topic.
Civil Society letter to European Commissioners re: gene drives and ECJ ruling on genome editing
23 Oct 2018
GM Freeze joined organic agriculture organisation IFOAM EU and many others to urge European Commissioners Vella and Andriukaitis to:
- Support an international moratorium on the release into the environment of organisms modified by gene drive technology.
- Uphold the ruling of the European Court of Justice that the products of genome editing techniques are considered as “Living Modified Organisms” (as defined in the Cartagena Protocol of the Convention on Biological Diversity)
- Align its position regarding Digital Sequnce Information with key international agreements
Brexit and GM
10 Nov 2017
A GM Freeze briefing on how the UK’s departure from the European Union could bring genetically modified crops to our fields and our food; why it matters and what can be done about it.
GM Freeze General Election 2017 Manifesto
19 May 2017
We are asking General Election candidates to protect the integrity of our food, our farms and our crops when the UK leaves the European Union by committing to:
- Rigorous regulation that protects people, animals and the environment
- .Labelling that allows people to take control of what they are eating.
- Protection from contamination.
Joint position statement on new techniques of genetic engineering
19 Feb 2017
A position statement from European Civil Society organisations, including GM Freeze, on why EU GMO law must be fully applied to the so-called ‘New Plant Breeding Techniques’.
The UK debate on New Plant Breeding Techniques and Genetic Modification: Voices from civil society
16 Oct 2016
Report on a workshop held at the University of Nottingham on 13 June 2016. Key issues covered include:
- The importance of terminology
- The dominance of science
- The need to focus on values
- The exclusion of governance issues
- The implications of the ‘crisis narrative’ or ’emergency rhetoric’
Authors are Sarah Hartley, Warren Pearce, Liz O’Neill (GM Freeze Director) and Penny Polson
New Breeding Techniques: inherent risks and the need to regulate
3 Dec 2015
Dr Ricarda A Steinbrecher considers the seven new genetic engineering techniques often referred to as “New Breeding Techniques”. She explains why they share many of the problems of older GM techniques but also bring their own set of risks and uncertainties. She presents the scientific case for classifying all of these techniques as GM and regulating their use with as much rigour as previous and current GM techniques.
This is a scientific briefing from GM Freeze member organisation, EcoNexus, www.econexus.info
Contamination Matters – Why GM crops can’t be managed at a national level
5 Jun 2014
A summary of three key GM crop contamination incidents, considering their implications on proposals for “national opt outs” to EU GM crop authorisations. Includes major contamination cases involved US rice, Chinese Rice and Canadian flax.
Old Fashioned Greenwash: Sainsbury’s and GM animal feed
8 Jul 2013
Broken Promises: Tesco and GM animal feed
27 Jun 2013
Monarch Butterflies: If GM Bt doesn’t get them, Roundup will
25 Jun 2013
GM Freeze joined organic agriculture organisation IFOAM EU and many others to urge European Commissioners Vella and Andriukaitis to:
