Genetic Modification

The Greens (WA) oppose plant and transgenic animal genetic engineering and the release into the environment of genetically engineered micro-organisms, because of the failure of the genetic engineering industry to demonstrate that it is operating safely and ethically in these areas. Genetic engineering offers the potential for enormous good and enormous harm and therefore should be treated with caution.  The Greens (WA) support current human biomedical genetic engineering research which is conducted in accordance with scientific principles and appropriate ethical principles. 

Goals

The Greens (WA) want: 

• the principle of unsafe until proven otherwise be applied to the release of genetically altered organisms into the environment
• independent research carried out under appropriate conditions of safety for those involved and for the public and biosphere at large
• no adverse impact on non-GE producers or consumers
• no approval of the patenting of life forms.

Initiatives

The Greens (WA) will encourage and support legislation and actions that: 

• maintain Western Australia’s moratorium on GMO crops
• introduce mandatory notification, assessment, licensing and monitoring of all genetic engineering proposals, including strict environmental impact assessment by an independent scientific panel
• support genetic testing for defined and serious diseases
• oppose genetic testing for other characteristics including cosmetic characteristics
• make results of genetic tests available only to the individuals concerned or their parents or guardians unless with the informed consent of those individuals/parents/guardians
• prevent access to work or health care cover or services being denied on the basis of genetic information relating to the future likelihood of disease or disability
• oppose research into herbicide resistance in plants as it encourages the continued use of pesticides and herbicides, which is ecologically damaging, and can create weeds, insects and viruses which are resistant to known controls
• resist monopolisation of seed sources or animal breeding stocks by a limited number of multinational corporations
• work with governments to protect traditional sources and supply of plant and animal species and varieties, to maintain national seed stock reserves of plant and animal species, and to actively support market access to these reserves
• support a transition to sustainable agricultural production which prohibit the use of artificial petro-chemical based pesticides and herbicides, and has lower carbon emissions
• ensure protections against adverse impacts of genetic engineering are properly monitored and any breaches prosecuted
• support the principle of non-patentability of gene nucleotide sequences, coding or non-coding, from the genomes of all organisms. We oppose the commercialisation of the human body
• support the patenting of adequately defined products or processes resulting from research on specific gene sequences if they derive from true inventiveness or from suitably described applications of proven originality
• ensure that patents should be for as short a period as possible, with an upper limit of 17 years
• support the concept of compulsory licensing if a patent has been granted for three years and the patent holder has unreasonably refused to grant a licence, thus preventing the progress of legitimate research and development on a patented invention.

Food Labelling

The Greens (WA):

• demand that the consumer be fully informed of the application of genetic engineering technology to food products. Food labels must specify if the organism forming the base of the product (plant or animal), has been genetically altered or if the product contains substances derived from genetically altered organisms; and
• support the setting up of secure regions where growing or releasing genetically modified organisms is not allowed. This will assist to protect the integrity of existing life forms and give consumers a choice between GE and non-GE products. The location and weather patterns make Western Australia an ideal GE Free Zone.