| ARCHIVE:
PRESS RELEASE - 1/5/93 Urgent action
on designer life needed
Dr Patrick Dixon,
author of The Genetic Revolution,
this week urged a campaign for regulation of gene technology.
"In the last few weeks we have heard of human
cloning to make identikit human embryos for spare part production,
of foetal eggs used to make a new generation, of human cancer genes
added to a virus similar to that causing colds and of couples now
able to choose the sex of their children.
"Designer life is
a reality. Over 62,000 altered animals with mutant genes are born
every year in the UK alone. Human genes have been added to cows,
pigs, sheep, rabbits and fish. The pigs are blind, impotent and
suffer from severe arthritis. Scorpion poison genes have been added
to cabbages to kill caterpillars, but what about people?
"Future generations will be able to choose embryos
for a host of characteristics such as height and intelligence. In
the meantime we have all the technology to create a half man, half
monkey - we have already done it with sheep and goat combined. The
possibilities are limitless. I dread to think what would have done
with the tools he would have today.
"New gene foods are already on sale without labelling
or publicity. The Co-op has just banned humanised beef or pork.
These products are not far away and other food chains are nervous
of public reaction.
"We urgently need gene technology to cure diseases
like AIDS and cystic fibrosis, and to feed the world, but we do
need to ask what kind of world we are creating."
Dr Dixon is asking people to write to their MPs. Two
early day motions have been signed by MPs this month led by David
Alton calling for a comprehensive Gene Charter, following the recommendations
in the book.
"They need to be asked to sign Early Day Motions
696 "Gene Technology and the threat to humanity" and 697
"Labelling of foods made using gene technology. We must make
the government take these issues seriously".
The Genetic Revolution
contains the full text of the Charter and is published by Kingsway
£6-99
A
Gene Charter - summary of main points
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