The Safe Seed Pledge

Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundations as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats.

We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately people and communities.

We invite any organizations, governments, businesses and individuals to join us in our support of the Safe Seed Initiative. for more information please contact:

Council for Responsible Genetics

Web: http://www.gene-watch.org/programs/safeseed.html

Mail: Kimberly Wilson, 5 Upland Road, Suite 3, Cambridge, MA 02140

Contacts

RAFI-USA

Dedicated to community, equity and diversity in agriculture. While focusing on North Carolina and the southeastern United States, RAFI-USA also work nationally and internationally. It is playing a leadership role in responding to major agricultural trends and creating a movement among farm, environmental and consumer groups.

Web: http://www.rafiusa.org/

Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration

ETC group is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable advancement of cultural and ecological diversity and human rights. To this end, ETC group supports socially responsible developments of technologies useful to the poor and marginalized and it addresses international governance issues and corporate power.

ETC group works in partnership with civil society organizations (CSOs) for cooperative and sustainable self-reliance within disadvantaged societies, by providing information and analysis of socioeconomic and technological trends and alternatives. This work requires joint actions in community, regional, and global fora.

ETC group's strength is in the research and analysis of technological information (particularly but not exclusively plant genetic resources, biotechnologies, and [in general] biological diversity), and in the development of strategic options related to the socioeconomic ramifications of new technologies.

Web: http://www.rafi.org/about.asp