Greenpeace Protests Against Monsanto's Transgenic Soybean in Bra

["greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

Greenpeace protests against Monsanto's transgenic soybean in
Brazil

Sept 24. 1998 Greenpeace promoted a manifestation today in
Brasilia in front of the Ministry of Science and Technology
building to alert public opinion about the risks of introducing
genetic engineering plants in Brazil. A big fake soy oil can,
called "Frankensoja" in a reference to the genetic experiments,
was rounded by a group of activists dressing white overalls.
They were holding banners with phrases "Danger! Transgenic
Soybeans! Don't eat!".

Greenpeace's activists also delivered soy oil cans to the
members of the National Technical Commission of Biosafety (CTN-
Bio) who was arriving to discuss a requesting by Monsanto to
plant and commercialise its "Roundup Ready" transgenic soybeans
in Brazil. This soybean has received genes of bacterias and
viruses to turn it resistant to the Herbicide Roundup, produced
by the company. In each can there was a label with a text asking
to the CTN-Bio's members to refuse Monsanto request. 

Greenpeace is against any authorization to plan and
commercialise transgenic products because of the potential risks
to the health and the environment. "In the case of the "RR"
soybean, Monsanto did not present sufficient data proving its
product will not have negative impacts in our ecosystems. An
example of that could be the development of new species of over-
resistant plants" says Marijane Lisboa, of Greenpeace.  

According to the environmentalist organisation, Monsanto is
pressing the CTN-Bio to authorise the planting of its transgenic
soybean as a marketing strategy. Since Brazil is one of the
biggest producers of soybeans in the world, while the country
remains free of transgenic products, the multinational will find
difficulties to impose its "Roundup Ready" soybean planted in
the US and Argentina to the consumers in Europe. "Brazil could
have a leading position as the only of the great producers to
offer to the market a soybean totally free of transgenics,
protecting the biodiversity and the population's health", says
Marijane.

Greenpeace on the Internet : http://www.greenpeace.org