The signal for corporate control over almost all living organisms came on midday of Wednesday July 16th 1997 when MEP's bowed to pressures from the biotech industry and voted with a two thirds majority in favour of the EU Biotech Patent Directive.
Despite a forest of objections and red lights coming from virtually all sectors of civil society the "largest lobby campaign in the history of the European Parliament" culminated in a vote that demonstrated a total lack of democratic responsibility.
The directive now goes to the commission, then to the council of ministers, then back for a final vote by MEP's. The directive will allow industry to patent genes, cells, body parts, animals and plants provided that a step takes place which "nature cannot accomplish by itself". The implications are massive, spanning issues of our future food security, medical research, animal welfare and the environment. The directive forecloses medical and food options giving biotech products a financial incentive.
SmithKline "genes are the currency of the future" Beecham spent millions of ECU on lobbying and it's paid off. Now biotech companies are one step closer to being able to gain monopoly control over the blue print for life. After a devastating defeat for industry in 1995 - the MEP's voted no to patents on life, industry were more determined than ever to bulldoze any resistance to their wares.
And "we" - ranking scientists, church leaders of all faiths, doctors, medical associations, patients, farmers, animal and plant breeders, southern countries, environmentalists and animal welfare groups are more determined than ever to expose and stop them. All these and more have stood up in the past crucial few months opposing, for many reasons, the notion of patenting life forms. And we will continue to do so.
MEP's were swayed by the "biotech is the key to our future well-being" and the lure of more jobs and the blackmail line of "if you don't vote yes then we will move to the US". Shallow unsubstantiated threats but swallowed by the MEP's making the July 16th "...a sad day for human respect for life, and for the world's biodiversity".
BUT there are many days to go before the Council of Ministers meet - the 16th July is but a beginning. Life patenting is on the political agenda and in the public domain - a mark of a successful world wide campaign.
* Keep on the pressure - write a letter of protest to the EU commission - 200 Rue De La Loi 1049 Bruxelles.
Demonstrate. Do read more! "Patenting, Piracy and Perverted Promises - Patenting Life: the last assault on the commons." is essential and easy reading on the subject! To get hold of a copy call Gaia on: 0171 435 5000, Fax 0171 431 0551.