BIO condemns destruction of research at GE tree facility.
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Press Release Summary:
Approximately 1,000 individuals representing MST, Brazil's Landless Workers Movement, invaded the operation of genetically engineered tree company Futuragene in Brazil. Action included destruction of GE eucalyptus seedlings and coincided with the meeting of the National Biosafety Technical Commission in Brasilia. In statement, Jim Greenwood, BIO President and CEO, said that these acts of vandalism are an attack on science, progress, innovation, and civilized discourse.
Original Press Release:
BIO Condemns Destruction of Research at Brazil GE Tree Facility
Washington, D.C. – Late last week, approximately one thousand individuals representing MST (Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement) invaded the operations of genetically engineered (GE) tree company Futuragene in Brazil.
The action included the destruction of GE eucalyptus seedlings and coincided with the meeting of the National Biosafety Technical Commission (CTNBio) in Brasilia.
Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), issued the following statement in response:
“The biotechnology industry and the greater scientific community is deeply saddened by the thoughtless destruction of research that occurred at the Futuragene facility in Brazil. These acts of vandalism are an attack on science, progress, innovation and civilized discourse.
“When the anti-science activists’ opposition to biotechnology escalates to malicious criminal destruction of property, it’s a sobering reminder that we have a responsibility to better educate the world on biotechnology’s promise help to feed, fuel and heal the world.
“Research and development of biotechnology’s life-changing solutions must go on, but acts of intimidation, aggression and threats of violence against researchers must not be tolerated and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
About BIO
BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIOtechNOW is BIO's blog chronicling “innovations transforming our world” and the BIO Newsletter is the organization’s bi-weekly email newsletter. Subscribe to the BIO Newsletter.
