BioGene: keeping organic agriculture free of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs)
Karin
Nowack Heimgartner and Robert
Hermanowski
Sponsor(s)/Partners
Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL-BUWAL);
the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA); WWF Switzerland;
and BIO SUISSE.
Purpose
To keep organic agricultural products free of GMOs.
Methods
The original body convened in 1999 has been reorganized into
two main groups: 1) the BioGene task force which aims to ensure
GM-free production; and 2) the Seed and Breeding Task Force which
coordinates work on standards issues and information on the availability
of organic seed and seedlings, and conducts practical research
to assist breeders.
Results
Progress has been achieved since the establishment of this project
as measured by the acceptance of organic methods as alternatives
to genetic engineering, the maintenance of organic products as
GMO-free, as well as the passage of legislation restricting the
circulation of GMOs.
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