ANH eBlast: Are you concerned about corporate control and imperialism?

Vitamins and GM are the two hot issues in today's eBlast. The way we see it, vitamins are good for us and they are being increasingly restricted, while GM crops are bad both for us and the environment and the world is facing ever more pressure to grow and eat more.

What's so interesting about all of this is who is being listened to most and who is being quietly ignored. There is no doubt that the most influential players—the drivers—are the transnational corporations who seem to define the initial shape of the trend. It's then up to those of us who are deeply concerned with the trend to buck it if we think it's going in the wrong direction. You can think of it as a feedback loop. If we sit idly by, the feedback will be missing and we—and future generations—will need to pay the price. To be effective, we need to work together with as many organisations, groups and individuals as we can. Our view is that the tools of 'good science and good law' (which are firmly integrated into ANH's mission), coupled with effective communication and grassroots activity will carry us far.

One of the most disturbing trends is the ability of western governments and corporations to ignore the wishes, demands and explanations given by less developed countries, as well as by scientists that oppose the views of the big corporations. This point is made crystal clear in our article (linked below) Africans don't want GM forced down their throats. We raise the spectre of a new form of biotechnological imperialism that runs the risk of wreaking havoc in the developed world with little or no chance of resolving hunger.

For those not frightened of lots of consecutive words, and who want to know where Europeans are at in relation to GM—as well as how Canadian precedents could either work for or against us—read Robert Collins' feature GM crops in the EU—and Canadian legal precedents.

When it comes to natural remedies, the heir to the British throne has once again come under attack. We explain in our piece Whose quack is louder that criticism of the Prince is unjustified and how the news around the issue has been deliberately manipulated.

Disturbingly, you'll find that the position which cites GM as the solution to world hunger as well as that which has lambasted Prince Charles are both initiated from the same quarter. The source of both these views is the far right think tank Sense About Science, and those associated with it, like Professor Edzard Ernst.

Are you willing to sit back and let many thousands of years of evolution, culture and heritage be trashed by this pro-biotechnology, pro-pharmaceutical lobby? Find out more about how you can get involved with our campaign.

Read some of our key recent stories below; or click here to see a complete listing of stories and features published on the ANH website over the last 60 days.

To communicate these issues further, please use our 'email to a friend' option at the bottom of this eBlast.

Africans don't want GM forced down their throats

Contrasting views in the The Times and the East African highlight the GM controversy

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Whose quack is louder?

ANH evaluates recent attacks on Prince Charles

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Researchers confirm nature's folates best for baby

Researchers find that folates may be an answer for hydrocephalus in babies

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ANH Feature: GM crops in the EU—and Canadian legal precedents

A detailed exploration of the legal implications of the European Commission's planned push towards further GM cultivation in the EU

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