- Resolution 3.007: A moratorium on the further release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs
- Resolution 3.008: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and biodiversity
- Resolution 3.017: Promoting food sovereignty to conserve biodiversity and end hunger
- Resolution 3.020: Drafting a Code of Ethics for Biodiversity Conservation
- Resolution 3.075: Applying the Precautionary Principle in environmental decision making and management
- Resolution 2.31: Genetically Modified Organisms and biodiversity
- Resolution 2.32: Organic agriculture and conservation of biodiversity
IUCN says No to GMOs
At the World Conservation Congress III in Thailand in 2004, the IUCN members adopted a resolution that calls for a moratorium on GMOs. The resolution calls for a "moratorium on further environmental releases of GMOs until these can be demonstrated to be safe for biodiversity, and for human and animal health, beyond reasonable doubt”. Members requested IUCN to promote information and communication on GMOs, especially in developing countries, and to support initiatives to ratify and implement the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. This webpage is a part of that effort. IUCN resolutions have the force of policy for the Union.
The IUCN Council asked CEESP—the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy— to set up and maintain the IUCN web site on GMOs. This page was set up by the CEESP Theme on Sustainable Livelihoods and Pro-poor Conservation, as a result of that request.
Comments, suggestions for improvement and views are welcome and may be sent to the Site Administrator: Maryam Rahmanian (maryam@cenesta.org) with a copy to CEESP Executive Officer Barbara Lassen (barbara@cenesta.org)
IUCN Policy related to GMOs
IUCN activities and publications on GMOs and Biosafety
Activities related to the GMO Moratorium
The Director General has sent a letter announcing IUCN’s call for a moratorium to relevant UN agencies and IGOs, Ministers of Environment, and all NGO and INGO IUCN members. In addition, IUCN’s Business and Biodiversity Unit has been contacting businesses with which IUCN is working directly to notify them of the call for a moratorium on GMOs.
Other activities
IUCN Action Plan on GMOs
CEESP input to IUCN biosafety booklet
An Explanatory Guide to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
The Precautionary Principle Project
IUCN members can follow the Council discussion on GMOs in the minutes of the 66th Council meeting (November 2006) available on the IUCN Members Portal
IUCN material on agroecology, sustainable agriculture, and related topics
No GMOs
Photo: IUCN CEESP
Publications
Agroecology and the struggle for food sovereignty in the Americas
Ecoagriculture : strategies to feed the world and save biodiversity
Sharing power: learning-by-doing in co-management of natural resources throughout of the world
Sowing the seeds for sustainability: agriculture, biodiversity, economics and society - Proceedings of the eighth interactive session held at the second IUCN World Conservation Congress
Impacts of GMOs on biodiversity (links to external websites)
Links to some organizations working on GMOs
BEDE : Bibliothèque d'Echange de Documentation et d'Expériences
Council for Responsible Genetics
ETC Group > Biodiversity & Genetic Resources and ETC Group > Biotechnology
European NGO Network on Genetic Engineering (GENET)
Friends of the Earth International > GMO Campaign
GRAIN > Confronting GM agriculture and GRAIN > GM Contamination
Greenpeace International > Say no to genetic engineering
No GMOs
Photo: IUCN CEESP
