Declaration of Opposition to Genetically Modified Rice [ April 23, 2001]
We are opposed to the research, harvest,
sales, and import/export of genetically modified rice.
The Hazards of Genetically Modified
Crops
§Hazard as a Food Source
If genetically modified crops are "essentially equal" to
traditional crops, they have yet to undergo experimentation and
certification for safety. There is a possibility that material
other than proteins can be introduced into the crop through the
added genetic material and cause an "accident," which creates a
potential for allergic reactions.
§Impact on the Environment
If genetically modified crops are cultivated on a large scale,
there could be a serious impact on surrounding organisms and
fungi.Furthermore, modified genetic material, once introduced
into the natural environment, can genetically propagate to
un-modified, closely related species, creating impurities in the
genetic material.
Genetically Modified
Rice
§The Destruction of Japanese
Agriculture
Against the wishes of the Japanese who do not wish genetically
modified foods, the introduction of genetically modified rice
into Japan invites insecurity for and a lack of faith in Japanese
agricultural products.
Furthermore, genetically modified rice is produced overseas in
countries such as the United States and will surely be imported
and sold at low cost in Japan. This will lead to increased
difficulty in domestic rice production, the major crop in Japan,
and the loss of paddies, land, and agriculture.
§The Japanese are a Human Experiment for
Genetic Engineering
Japan is a major importer of food products.Already, genetically
modified corn, soy,green vegetables and cotton are being imported
and used as feed for livestock. Currently, Japanese consume more
genetically modified foods than any other nation. If genetically
modified rice is added on to this list, Japan will become an
experimental laboratory for genetic engineering. Japan has
already been called a laboratory for environmental pollution;
this will be a repeat of those earlier times.
§Increasing the Export of World
Famine
Genetically modified rice typically has added vitamins or
nutrients, increases yield production, or reduces agricultural
chemical use and labor. It is being promoted as a poster crop for
the "Second Green Revolution." It is under this guise that it is
being sold to the rice dependent countries of Asia. Just as the
Green Revolution did, the new revolution will claim to fight
famine and malnutrition, but will drive small farmers into
poverty by forcing them to buy seeds and agricultural chemicals
every year, and the resulting agricultural products will be sold
to affluent nations such as Japan and other advanced nations,
resulting in an increase in famine in the producing nation.
Although the global per capita availability of food has not
changed, famine is increasing. Clearly, the problem is not in
agriculture or food production but in food distribution.
Opposing Genetically Modified Rice,
Improving Self-Sufficiency
§Giving Consideration to Domestic
Agriculture, Improving Self-Sufficiency
Japan is a major importer and has one of the lowest food
self-sufficiency rates among developed nations. Japan and the
Japanese must call a halt to this situation. Not only because of
the problems with food security within Japan, but also because
this increases famine throughout the world.
Japan, with its warm weather and frequent rains, has fertile
lands that can produce high yields. It is not difficult to
increase the self-sufficiency rate.
In Japan, rice is grown in rice paddies. Since water is used in
the paddies, there is a history of the preservation of land and
clean water sources. The collapse of paddies will lead to the
collapse of national lands.
There is no doubt that the world is heading toward a food
shortage over the long term. The question is how to protect and
foster Japanese agriculture while considering future lifestyles
and the environment.
At the same time, we must ask ourselves what we will eat.
§Speaking up against Genetic
Engineering
Genetically modified rice will profit neither the producer nor
the consumer. Although the benefits such as reduction of labor
and increased flavor and nutrition are often cited, ultimately,
this will lead to multinational corporations and other large
corporations seizing control of seeds, agriculture, and our food
supply.
We will oppose the development, cultivation, and import/export of
genetically modified rice because it ignores food safety, weakens
both domestic and global agriculture, and negatively impacts the
environment.
Citizens' Center for Monitoring Genetically Modified Rice [ April 13, 2001]
Citizens' Center
for Monitoring Genetically Modified Rice
GMR-Watch Center
§ GMR-Watch
Center
GMR-Watch Center is a citizens' organization on the internet
working for the prevention of research and development,
industrial production, and commercial sale of genetically
modified rice (GMR) that has serious adverse effects on Japanese
diet and agriculture.
§ Providing Information on
Genetically Modified Rice
We will provide information that supports the opposition movement
by collecting information from supporting and opposing sources on
the research and development, legislative preparations,
production, sale, and import/export of genetically modified
rice.
To provide information, we will link ourselves with citizens'
movement organizations such as the We Don't Need GMO Food!
Campaign that is the center of the GMO (genetically modified
organism) opposition movement in Japan.
Furthermore, we don't want to limit our movement to within Japan
only, we would also like to contribute to the global movement by
providing information and making clear the position of Japanese
citizens on genetic modification of staple grains in Asia,
America, and Europe.
§ Founding
Organizations
The GMR-Watch Center was established by Teikei Rice
Network, a network organization of rice farmers and consumers
seeking independent agriculture for Japan.
§ Secretariat
The Secretariat for GMR-Watch Center is located within the
Secretariat for the Teikei Rice Network within the Save the Great
Earth Group.
Teikei Network Secretariat
c/o Daichi-wo-mamoru-kai(Save the Great Earth)
6-8-15-2F Roppongi
Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Tel: +81-3-3402-8901