Latest Resources
10 August 2009
Pirating African heritage: the pillaging continues
The cases of suspected biopiracy are summarised and discussed in a few paragraphs. Patent numbers and/or application numbers are provided for each, as well as contact information for the entity or entities that have lodged the patent claims. Using the provided data, the full patent (application) text can be accessed online at patent websites, such […]
7 August 2009
South African GM grapevine trials to go ahead
The South African authorities have given the go-ahead to the Institute of wine biotechnology, based at the University of Stellenbosch, to conduct open-air field trials of grapevines genetically modified to resist fungal disease, despite the failure of fungal resistant grapevines in German trials seven years ago. Read more here.
26 March 2009
Genes from Africa: the Colonisation of Human DNA
Indigenous people’s groups and NGOs have waged a long and bitter struggle against the Human Genome Diversity Project and similar efforts to collect the DNA of indigenous and other peoples without appropriate consent and sufficient safeguards against abuse. The Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP), the brainchild of Italian geneticist Luca Cavalli-Sforza, comprised of a group […]
28 January 2009
Final Petition anti GM Potatoes
South Africa’s Agriculture and Research Council (ARC) has announced their intention to apply to the SA government for permission to make GM potatoes commercially available.
28 January 2009
A Green Revolution for Africa: Disaster in the making
When world leaders hastily gathered at the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation’s (FAO) high level conference to respond to the global food crisis the three Rome based UN organizations (the FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural development and the World Food Programme) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in […]
14 January 2009
South African government non-compliance with national and international law on access to information
Take Action! Write to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry demanding access to information on GMOs On 14th January 2009 the African Centre for Biosafety wrote to the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Lulama Xingwama, alerting her to the fact that South Africa is not complying to an important provision in the Cartagena […]
5 March 2008
New GM Potato Book: Executive Summary
In 2001, the South African Agricultural Research Council (ARC) began conducting field trials with potatoes genetically modified to contain a Bt gene Cry1Ia1 (formerly BtCryV). This novel gene is intended to protect the plants and potato tubers from infestations of the Potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella). This research is not home grown or ‘truly South […]
13 February 2008
South Africa’s Biofuels Strategy: greenwashing agribusiness interests
The impetus for the establishment of a biofuels industry in South Africa also came from industry lobbyists under the banner of the Southern African Biofuels Association (SABA). Consequently, the South African government published a feasibility report and a draft Biofuels Industrial Strategy in 2006, which proposed the establishment of a mandatory bioethanol target of 8% […]
25 July 2007
Interrogating GMO Decision-Making: Critique of GMO Permit Applications in South Africa 2004-2007
This book aims to give insight into the role a public interest NGO can play, the context within which participation can happen, the breadth of GMO applications, the institutions involved, the trends developing and the tremendous range of issues that have to be grappled with. Title: Interrogating GMO Decision-Making: Critique of GMO Permit Applications in […]
20 July 2007
IMIPHAKATHI YASEMAPHANDLENI IBEKA IZWI LAYO NGENTUKUTHELO YO: KUPHUCWA IMIHLABA EHLONGOZWA AMASU EBI
Emva komhlangano obeseThekwini ngomhlaka 5 March 2007 obuhanjelwe abantu abangamashumi ayisthupha, mayelana nepulani elihlongozwa uHulumeni wase South Africa lamacebo okutshalwa kezihlahla zeBiofuel. Kwaba nezingxoxo ezinde mayelana naloku. Laba abasayine lapha abamele izinhlangano ezihlekene zamaNGO, izinhlangano zabalimi kane nemiphakathi ethintekayo kuloludaba ezifundeni zakwa Zulu-Natali, Empumalanga-Koloni kanye nase Mpumalanga beveza ukumangala okukhulu kanye novalo ngalamasu. Read more […]