Welcome to GeneWatch UK

GeneWatch UK is a not-for-profit group that monitors developments in genetic technologies from a public interest, human rights, environmental protection and animal welfare perspective. GeneWatch believes people should have a voice in whether or how these technologies are used and campaigns for safeguards for people, animals and the environment. We work on all aspects of genetic technologies - from GM crops and foods to genetic testing of humans.

Topics

  • GM Crops and Food

    A new peer-reviewed study has found non-GM farming in Europe outperforms GM farming in North America. Read the University of Canterbury press release.

    Read the GeneWatch press release about the study and Paterson's pro-GM speech expected Thursday.

    British supermarkets (except Waitrose) have back-tracked on commitments not to use Monsanto's GM soya as animal feed. Meat and dairy products fed on GM feed are not labelled. GM Freeze has an action for people to take to write to supermarkets about the use of GM animal feed. You can also write to your MP.

  • A DNA database in the NHS?

    A new GeneWatch UK report details the Government's plans to build a DNA database in the NHS by stealth. The plan would allow every individual and their relatives to be tracked and the data will be sold to private companies, such as Google, for commercial exploitation without people's knowledge or consent. Read the press release and the articles in Public Service Europe and Pharma Times.

    If you are concerned about this plan you can contact your MP.

  • European consultation on GM animals

    The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its Guidance for the risk assessment of GM animals in Europe (adopted last month), opening the door to commercial production and releases or escapes of GM insects, birds, fish, farm animals and pets. The Guidance still fails to properly address the issue of GM insects in the food chain. Read the GeneWatch press release. In January, GM insects company Oxitec applied to make large-scale experimental releases of GM Mediterannean fruit flies in orchards in Brazil.

  • Genes and Marketing

    For more than a decade, GeneWatch UK has exposed companies making misleading claims about genetic test results. The EU's new IVD (In-Vitro Diagnostics) draft Regulation is supposed to regulate genetic tests but is effectively meaningless as it provides no regulatory check of the companies' claims. Read the GeneWatch UK briefing.

    If adopted by the European Parliament, the new Regulation is likely to be used by commercial lobbyists in US-EU Free-trade negotatiations to undermine attempts by the FDA to regulate genetic tests in the United States, including those sold by Google's gene test company 23andMe.

  • The UK Police National DNA Database

    The Government has reported significant progress in deleting 1,136,000 innocent people's DNA profiles from the National DNA Database and destroying 6,341,000 DNA samples. It has also published the latest Annual Report on the National DNA Database and a further report covering 2009-2011.

    However, the Guardian has reported that thousands of children are still having their DNA collected and retained by police. The Independent has reported concerns about the Government's counter-terrorism DNA database.

    The Biometrics Commissioner has issued a consultation on the retention of arrested persons' DNA profiles, and the Home Office has published Guidance on National Security determinations.

  • GM fish

    Read GeneWatch UK's submission to the FDA's consultation on AquaBounty's GM salmon.

  • GM insects

    Third World Network has published a new briefing on Oxitec's GM agricultural pests. Oxitec has applied to Brazilian regulators to release GM Medfly there in large-scale experiments.

  • Patents on seeds

    To oppose patents being granted in Europe on plants such as tomatoes, broccoli and melons, sign the Avaaz petition.

  • International DNA databases

    GeneWatch UK, the Council for Responsible Genetics and Privacy International are working together on the Forensics Genetics Policy Initiative to develop international standards in this area. Visit our website.

  • GM Contamination Register

    An on-line database of incidents of GM contamination, illegal releases and adverse agricultural side-effects run by GeneWatch UK and Greenpeace.

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