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SWITZERLAND REJECTS GENETIC ENGINEERING
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DDS played a tiny role in the campaign
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In a referendum held on November 30th, the citizens of Switzerland categorically rejected GMOs[genetically modified organisms] in their food. They asked for a moratorium on genetic engineering in food and agriculture. More than 55% of the Swiss population voted against GMOs. In a very rare national consensus all the 22 cantons of Switzerland voted for the Moratorium making it clear that the German, French, Italian and the indigenous Swiss populations --- everyone is against Genetic Engineering making an entry into Switzerland.
This is very very significant because Switzerland is the home of the major Genetic Engineering giant Syngenta Corporation. The environmental alliance led by Alliance Sud put up a very plucky and imaginative campaign [see pictures] in the face of big money invested in the pro GE campaign led by the biotech industry and the right wing politicians and the business sector.
P V Satheesh, Director, Deccan Development Society, had been invited by Alliance Sud, the major environmental alliance which led the campaign against Genetic Engineering to campaign with them. Satheesh addressed a media conference in Berne and a widely attended public meeting in Geneva, besides being interviewed by several newspapers. [See reports]
DDS is delighted in taking a tiny role in this historic campaign.
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