One Minute Activist
March 2005

This month, we are writing to urge the United Nations Environmental Programme
to continue the international ban on Generic Use Restriction Technologies (GURTS), otherwise known as the "Terminator Technology."

One Minute Activist letters are available on the bulletin boards at both stores. Or download a printable version of this letter to print from your computer.

Text of March's One Minute Activist Letter:

United Nations
Environmental Programme
Secratariat of Convention on Biological Diversity
413 St-Jacques Street, 8th floor, Office 800
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2Y 1N9
March 2005

We, the undersigned, strongly urge a continued international ban on Generic Use Restriction Technologies (GURTS), otherwise known as the "Terminator Technology."

Canada, with the support of New Zealand and Australia, has begun placing intense pressure on the SBSTTA 10 scientific advisory board to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to approve requests for the commercialization of GURTS plant varieties. This comes in the face of the global majority's opposition to the premature release of such technologies.

There is an unknown, yet potentially massive negative impact from seed contamination by GURTS technologies on international agricultural economies. In addition, scientific studies are inadequate and inconsistent, regarding the potential spread of this preprogrammed plant sterilization to other crops and surrounding ecosystems, given the unpredictable dispersion of plant pollens. Unless the GURTS related process of genetic manipulation can be irrefutably shown as safe for the environment and global seed banks, as well as being fair for the world's farmers, it must remain in a state of indefinite moratorium.

We urge the international community carefully weigh the short term benefits of these technologies on the profit margins of the biotech industry against the long term potential devastation that this premature technology could release on the economy and environment. Please support the moratorium on GURTS. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Name__________________________Signature___________________________

Address____________________________________________________________

Phone_________________email_______________________________________