GeneWatch UK's Aims and Principles

GeneWatch UK is a not-for-profit policy research and public interest group. We investigate how genetic science and technologies will impact on our food, health, agriculture, environment and society. These aims and principles explain why GeneWatch exists and what we are trying to achieve.

Our principles

Genetic science and technologies are being promoted as the solution to problems as diverse as hunger, crime, climate change and cancer. GeneWatch UK believes that:

  • An over-emphasis on genetic explanations and solutions to these problems can mean that underlying social, economic and environmental issues are ignored;
  • Commitments to particular assumptions about science, technology, nature and society are often made behind closed doors, with insufficient public scrutiny;
  • Consideration of the impacts of genetic technologies on the environment, health, animal welfare and human rights should be at the heart of decision-making.

Our aims

GeneWatch UK's aims are to:

  • ensure that genetic technologies are developed and used in the public interest and in a way which protects human health and the environment and respects human rights and the interests of animals;
  • promote public involvement in the decisions that are made about science and about whether or how genetic technologies are used;
  • increase public understanding of genetic science and technologies;
  • carry out or support research about their impacts.

What we want to achieve

GeneWatch UK is working to increase public understanding of genetic technologies and to secure public, academic, media, investor, regulatory, parliamentary, local, national and international governments' support for a comprehensive programme to ensure genetic technologies are developed and used in an ethical and safe manner. This includes:

  • Improving public understanding, accountability and participation in decision making

    • A balanced independent and open scientific research agenda.
    • Effective public involvement in the decisions about whether and when genetic technologies should be applied.
    • Systems to ensure people can exercise choice about whether to eat GM foods.

  • Protecting people, the environment and animals

    • Protection of plants and animals from contamination by GMOs.
    • The biotechnology industry to be held liable for environmental or economic damage caused through the use of GMOs.
    • A ban on the patenting of genes, plants and animals to prevent their monopolisation compromising human rights and food security.
    • Equity for people in developing countries in access to the benefits of genetic technologies and protection from genetic exploitation.
    • A presumption against the genetic modification and cloning of all animals, both of which can lead to considerable animal suffering, and which should only be allowed if it will contribute significantly to the relief of serious human suffering and there is an absence of more acceptable alternatives.
    • Effective national and international laws preventing biological weapons development because genetic engineering is seen as a way of improving the potential for their use and increasing the threat of their development.
  • Protecting human rights and dignity
    • Laws to prevent the misuse of genetic information including a ban on the use of genetic test data by insurers and employers.
    • A guarantee of genetic privacy and the right of people to refuse to undergo genetic testing.
    • Independent regulation of genetic testing and genetic databases.
    • A ban on human reproductive cloning and human genetic modification.
  • Promoting positive, safer alternatives
    • Recognition that tackling lifestyle, social, economic and environmental health factors are often more important than genetics in preventing disease.
    • Recognition that providing a healthy diet and establishing food security requires social, economic and political solutions and will not be achieved through technological interventions.

How we work

GeneWatch UK works by:

  • Researching and analysing new developments in genetics and how they will affect people, the environment and animals.
  • Clarifying and making accessible to the public, the emerging science of genetics and its implications.
  • Communicating the issues to decision makers, the public, media and other organisations affected by genetics, such as farmers, doctors and businesses.
  • Advocating and justifying practical measures to protect against adverse impacts of genetic technologies on people, the environment and animals.
  • Intervening where most effective to see that adequate safeguards are introduced.
  • Networking and alliance-building with a wide variety of organisations and individuals interested in human, environmental and animal health and welfare.
  • Challenging the biotechnology industry and others if they produce misleading information. 

How is GeneWatch UK funded?

Most of GeneWatch's funds for research and education projects come from charitable trusts. We have also received some research funding from the European Commission. A smaller amount comes from undertaking commissioned work usually, but not exclusively, for other groups in the voluntary sector who need our specialist knowledge. The remainder of GeneWatch's income comes from donations.

GeneWatch UK staff

Dr Helen Wallace - Executive Director
Helen joined GeneWatch as Deputy Director in 2001, specialising in the ethics, risks and social implications of human genetics. She became Director in 2007. Helen has worked as an environmental scientist in academia and industry and as Senior Scientist at Greenpeace UK, where she was responsible for science and policy work on a range of issues. She has a degree in physics from Bristol University and a PhD in applied mathematics from Exeter University.

Topics

  • 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.

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

  • 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.

  • GM Crops and Food

    The Observer has reported on the decision by most supermarkets to switch using Monsanto's GM soya as animal feed for chicken and eggs. Only Waitrose has kept a policy of using non-GM feed. GM Freeze has posted an action for people to take to write to supermarkets. You can also write to your MP.

  • 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.

  • GM fish

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

  • European consultation on GM animals

    The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has adopted Guidance for the risk assessment of GM animals in Europe, opening the door to commercial production and releases or escapes of GM insects, birds, fish, farm animals and pets. Read the press release and the article in Public Service Europe.

  • GM animals

    Researchers are genetically modifying animals including farm animals, birds, fish and insects. Many of these animals will end up in the food chain unless consumers oppose this. Read the Daily Mail.

    Compassion in World farming has issued a press release on why GM pigs will not feed the world.

  • GM insects

    Third World Network has published an updated version of GeneWatch UK's briefing on GM mosquitoes in their biosafety series. You can download the briefing or buy a hard copy here.

  • 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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