IUCN Press release Bangkok, Thailand 22 November 2004 Members of the IUCN 2004 World Conservation Congress voted today to approve a moratorium on the further release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) until such time that they can be demonstrated, beyond reasonable doubt, to be safe for biodiversity, human health, and the health of livestock. Nearly seventy percent of the nations and non-governmental organizations voted for the moratorium, even after several days of intensive behind-the-scenes lobbying by agribusiness interests. "This is a great day for biodiversity, human health, and food security world-wide," said Mr. Antonio Claparols of the Ecological Society of the Philippines, the sponsor of the resolution. "Until it can be shown that GMOs pose no near- or long-term threat to life on Earth, we must invoke the Precautionary Principle." The resolution provides a clear mechanism for undertaking a state-of-the-science report, to be delivered within one year, presenting current knowledge on the development, dispersal, and impacts of GMOs. Responding to suggestions for amending the resolution during the Plenary debate, Mr. Tashi Tsering, delegation head of Tibet Justice Center and a co-sponsor of the resolution, said "We welcome the amendments proposed by our friends from Senegal. There is an especially strong need for disseminating information about GMOs to developing countries." "The Senegalese amendment sent a clear signal," said Mr.Alec Marr, of the Australian Wilderness Society and a co-sponsor of the bill. "IUCN must not only promote and share sound science, it must also use transparent, participatory governance in bringing this knowledge to the rest of the world." The unregulated rise of GMOs world-wide in recent years has led to concern among scientists and government officials alike. Scientists are learning that GMOs know no boundaries, degrading genetic diversity of crop seeds and then expanding beyond farmscapes into adjacent areas of biodiversity. In the process, they degrade complex soil ecology and habitat for beneficial insects, thus affecting mammals and birds and killing the very biodiversity that GMO proponents claim to care about. **************** IUCN is the world's largest environmental organization. It is composed of governments, NGOs, and individuals.