[pf] The right way to deal with Genetic Engineering. The people decide.

· The following, extracted from the Greens' newsletter Northern News:
http://www.emucities.com.au/member/davd/rare/0009_Nn0900.htm#link1 & #link3
  gives to those who've lost it, a feel for what it's like for people to
still have some sovereignity over major decisions.

· I would guess that it is very much to do with us having less than 4
million people but sufficient resources and traditions that able people
want to live and serve here. Both for and against either genetic
engineering itself, and/or letting GMOs out into the environment; there are
a number of genetic engineering laboratories in New Zealand, several of
them producing world-class research.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 [Claire Insley, GE Campaigner, is ]
SAYING HELLO TO THE ROYAL COMMISSION

 I went down to Wellington for the GE-Free NZ AGM last week and while I was
in the area, thought it would be a wonderful chance to visit the Royal
Commission. So off I went to their extremely nice offices on The Terrace! 

 The first person I spoke to was rather disconcerted that I had just turned
up on the doorstep to ask questions and was going to try and make me make
an appointment, but I managed to convince her I was harmless and she
eventually allowed me to talk to Elizabeth Beale (main Policy Analyst for
the Royal Commission on Genetic Engineering). The first thing I wanted to
know was when public submissions have to be in by, as it seemed to say on
their website that we had until March to make them. However it turns out
that submissions have to be in by December 1 ... so get your writing gear
out!! Formal hearings will start on October 16. 

 The Royal Commission is also touring the country to hear what the ordinary
public have to say about GE. The idea of these meetings is to allow the
Commission to hear the views and opinions of the public about GE. See:
http://www.amp.wellington.net.nz/Amp_news.shtml , link: 19 September Dunedin
 What do you really think? 

 These are not the oral submissions, just a forum to enable people to speak
and have their views heard.
 They start on 18 September in Invercargill and work their way up the
country. Manukau City has a meeting on November 14, from 2–8pm; Auckland on
November 15, 2–8pm; and Whangarei has a meeting on November 16, 11am–4pm.
All venues to be announced closer to the time. 

 Please try to get along and tell the Commissioners what you'd like to see
as the future of New Zealand. 

 On other GE matters, please remember to phone some of those food companies
I mentioned in last month's newsletter. Keep the public pressure on! 

 Finally, a reminder that the GE group meets every other Wednesday at FoE
office on Gore St, next to the Downtown Bus Station. Next meeting is
Wednesday September 20 at 7pm. All welcome.
  Claire Insley, Greater-Auckland Greens GE Spokesperson

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
sent on by David.
(David MacClement) davd@ihug.co.nz 
http://www.emucities.com.au/member/davd/index.html
**************************************************

___________________________________________________________
T O P I C A  The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics