Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Education GE-Free legislation drives CE/AES education Alison Van...

Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Education Education

GE-Free legislation drives CE/AES education

Alison Van Eenennaam, Ph.D.Alison Van Eenennaam, Ph.D.

Cooperative Extension Specialist Cooperative Extension Specialist Animal Biotechnology and Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Genomics

[email protected]@ucdavis.edu

6/14/2005


It all began one sunny It all began one sunny September day in 2003....September day in 2003....


Maybe we should we show some interest ?Maybe we should we show some interest ?


Yep – we should definitely show some interest !Yep – we should definitely show some interest !


Coalition Members• California Certified Organic Farmers - CCOF • The Center for Environmental Health • Center for Food Safety Community Alliance with Family Farmers • Ecological Farming Association - EFA • Four Elements Farm • Genetic Engineering Action Network • Occidental Arts and Ecology Center • Organic Consumers Association

Funding sources• Ben and Jerry's Foundation• Patagonia• Columbia Foundation• John Merck Fund • Firedoll Foundation• Gaia Fund • Sierra Fund: Funk Charitable Trust • Wendy P. McCaw Foundation• William Zimmerman Foundation • Pacific Chapter of the National Cooperative Grocers Association• Chico Natural Foods• Co-oportunity Consumers Co-op • North Coast Co-op • Ocean Beach People's Food Co-op • Quincy Natural Foods • Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op• Briar Patch Community Market • Ukiah Natural Foods

A coalition committed to ecologically responsible and economically viable agriculture. We provide education, training and resources in support of the rights of farmers and communities to protect themselves from the environmental, human health and economic risks of genetic engineering in agriculture.


Makes it unlawful for any person, firm, or Makes it unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to propagate, cultivate, raise, or corporation to propagate, cultivate, raise, or

grow genetically modified organisms in grow genetically modified organisms in Mendocino CountyMendocino County


Mendocino Educational Mendocino Educational EffortsEfforts

CE maintained neutralityCE maintained neutralityWorked in collaboration with, and at the Worked in collaboration with, and at the

request of, local farm advisors (request of, local farm advisors (John Harper, John Harper, Gregg Giusti, Glenn McGourtyGregg Giusti, Glenn McGourty) to provide ) to provide objective science-based information objective science-based information

Employers Council of Employers Council of MendocinoMendocino County, County, 1/16/04 (1/16/04 (Lemaux and Van EenennaamLemaux and Van Eenennaam) )

MendocinoMendocino College, 2/26/04 ( College, 2/26/04 (KentKent BradfordBradford) ) Wrote 4 fact-based pieces on different Wrote 4 fact-based pieces on different

aspects of genetic engineering for local aspects of genetic engineering for local newspaper (newspaper (Lemaux, Van Eenennaam, Lemaux, Van Eenennaam, McHughen, GustiMcHughen, Gusti))


““I will be voting yes on Measure H for many reasons, but I will be voting yes on Measure H for many reasons, but mostly because GMOs have affected me personally. When my mostly because GMOs have affected me personally. When my son was 6 month (sic) old and receiving chemotherapy for son was 6 month (sic) old and receiving chemotherapy for leukemia, he was also receiving soy lipids (fat) intraveneously leukemia, he was also receiving soy lipids (fat) intraveneously because he had lost the ability to eat or drink. The longer he because he had lost the ability to eat or drink. The longer he received the lipids, the higher the dose of chemo. When I received the lipids, the higher the dose of chemo. When I asked why I was told that the soybeans used were genetically asked why I was told that the soybeans used were genetically modified to be “Round Up Ready,” they were putting food modified to be “Round Up Ready,” they were putting food into my son’s veins that could withstand the chemicals they into my son’s veins that could withstand the chemicals they were using to kill the leukemia blood cells, making the chemo were using to kill the leukemia blood cells, making the chemo less effective. In order to keep my son alive nutritionally, the less effective. In order to keep my son alive nutritionally, the higher doses of chemo almost took him away higher doses of chemo almost took him away ”” Jenny Shattuck-Hale, Jenny Shattuck-Hale, Ukiah Daily Ukiah Daily

Journal, 2/20/04.Journal, 2/20/04.

TheThe discourse in Mendocino was inflamed by discourse in Mendocino was inflamed by alarming alarming assertions and facts that are not derived from, assertions and facts that are not derived from, nor supported by, the scientific literaturenor supported by, the scientific literature


March 2, 2004, Mendocino. March 2, 2004, Mendocino. Measure H passed 56.3% for and Measure H passed 56.3% for and 43.7% against. 43.7% against.

And so now in Mendocino county if And so now in Mendocino county if nowhere else in the worldnowhere else in the world “DNA or “DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid means a deoxyribonucleic acid means a complex complex proteinprotein that is present in every cell of that is present in every cell of an organism”an organism”

Measure won by ~ 3,240 votes.Measure won by ~ 3,240 votes. Shortly thereafter Board of Supervisors Shortly thereafter Board of Supervisors

voted to ban GE in Trinity county (8/04) .voted to ban GE in Trinity county (8/04) . At the time of these votes, there were no GE At the time of these votes, there were no GE

plants or animals in production in either plants or animals in production in either Mendocino or Trinity County.Mendocino or Trinity County.


And by August 2004 it And by August 2004 it had developed into an had developed into an “issue”“issue”


What was Biotech What was Biotech workgroup’s response ?workgroup’s response ? Despite an attempt to obtain funding for Biotechnology outreach activities Despite an attempt to obtain funding for Biotechnology outreach activities

(3/04), program council “did not feel that there was any urgency to this (3/04), program council “did not feel that there was any urgency to this issue” and even formulating an ANR position statement emphasizing the issue” and even formulating an ANR position statement emphasizing the need for science-based information on the issue proved to be unattainableneed for science-based information on the issue proved to be unattainable

WE FORGED AHEAD ANYWAY IN RESPONSE TO WE FORGED AHEAD ANYWAY IN RESPONSE TO DEMAND FROM COUNTY-BASED CE ADVISORSDEMAND FROM COUNTY-BASED CE ADVISORS

UCCE was by definition neutral on the issue – focused on UCCE was by definition neutral on the issue – focused on outreach providing science-based information to voters.outreach providing science-based information to voters.

Needed AES expertise to provide answers to a plethora of Needed AES expertise to provide answers to a plethora of very technical questionsvery technical questions

Also needed scientists familiar with the issues who were Also needed scientists familiar with the issues who were willing to take a position for “debate” formatswilling to take a position for “debate” formats

AES faculty - Kent Bradford, Rick Roush, Martina McGloughlin, AES faculty - Kent Bradford, Rick Roush, Martina McGloughlin, even Reg Gomes was a speaker at a forum in Marin ! even Reg Gomes was a speaker at a forum in Marin !


California California State Farm Bureau, Sacramento, 5/14/04, Lemaux and Van Eenennaam State Farm Bureau, Sacramento, 5/14/04, Lemaux and Van Eenennaam UCCE farm advisors and agricultural commissioners on GM initiatives in Davis 6/22/2004 and Monterey UCCE farm advisors and agricultural commissioners on GM initiatives in Davis 6/22/2004 and Monterey

6/29/2004 , Lemaux and Van Eenennaam6/29/2004 , Lemaux and Van Eenennaam LakeLake County Sierra Club, 9/7/2004, Bradford County Sierra Club, 9/7/2004, Bradford State agricultural commissioners, State agricultural commissioners, YoloYolo, Lemaux , Lemaux California Planting Cotton Seed Distributors (CPCSD) Expo., 9/14/2004, Shafter, California Planting Cotton Seed Distributors (CPCSD) Expo., 9/14/2004, Shafter, KernKern County, RoushCounty, Roush Santa CruzSanta Cruz Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission, 9/16/2004, Lemaux and Van Eenennaam Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission, 9/16/2004, Lemaux and Van Eenennaam UCCE Small Grains workshop, Davis 9/22/2004, Van EenennaamUCCE Small Grains workshop, Davis 9/22/2004, Van Eenennaam UC DavisUC Davis Campus Greens, Environmental Law Society, UC Davis students for Sustainable Agriculture, and Yolo GE-Free Campus Greens, Environmental Law Society, UC Davis students for Sustainable Agriculture, and Yolo GE-Free

Agriculture, 10/8/2004, RoushAgriculture, 10/8/2004, Roush Sacramento Organics, Yolo GE-Free Agriculture, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Sacramento Organics, Yolo GE-Free Agriculture, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, DavisDavis,, 10/8/2004 Roush and 10/8/2004 Roush and

Bradford Bradford CSU CSU ChicoChico, 9/22/2004, McHughen , 9/22/2004, McHughen CSU CSU San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, 10/6/2004, McHughen , 10/6/2004, McHughen CSU CSU HumboltHumbolt State, 10/27/04, State, 10/27/04, Lemaux Lemaux MarinMarin Conservation League, 10/28/2004, Bradford Conservation League, 10/28/2004, Bradford Presentation on anti-GE initiatives to ANR Pest Management Coordinating Conference, San Benadino, Presentation on anti-GE initiatives to ANR Pest Management Coordinating Conference, San Benadino,

11/2/2004 Lemaux,Van Eenennaam and Vargas11/2/2004 Lemaux,Van Eenennaam and Vargas Presentation “Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture” to UCCE Presentation “Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture” to UCCE San BenitoSan Benito County Continuing Education Seminar, County Continuing Education Seminar,

Hollister, 12/9/2004, Van Eenennaam Hollister, 12/9/2004, Van Eenennaam Presentation “Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture” to Presentation “Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture” to Tulare Tulare Ag Expo, 2/8/2005, Lemaux and Van Eenennaam Ag Expo, 2/8/2005, Lemaux and Van Eenennaam Presentation “Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture” to California Agriculture Symposium, Presentation “Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture” to California Agriculture Symposium, SacramentoSacramento, 3/23-, 3/23-

24/2005, Van Eenennaam 24/2005, Van Eenennaam Presentation “Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture” to Presentation “Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture” to SonomaSonoma American Association of University Women American Association of University Women

(AAUW), Healdsburg, 3/31/05, Van Eenennaam (AAUW), Healdsburg, 3/31/05, Van Eenennaam Presentation “Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture” to the Presentation “Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture” to the SonomaSonoma County Farm Bureau, 4/20/05, Van County Farm Bureau, 4/20/05, Van

Eenennaam Eenennaam

Presentations given to local groups at their request Presentations given to local groups at their request 2004/05....2004/05....


http://groups.ucanr.org/anronuctv/http://groups.ucanr.org/anronuctv/Video_Program_Sales_Information/Video_Program_Sales_Information/

“Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture”

• Development began 6/1 and released 9/1/2004.

• Over 100 VHS or DVD copies were provided to all interested UCCE county extension educators and agricultural commissioner offices

• The video was also made freely available to a wide general audience in September 2004 though innovative distribution channels including broadcasting on UCTV (“Dish Network” Station 9412) and local cable stations throughout the state, and a direct streaming link (mms://STREAM.ucanr.org/Windows Media/UCTV_04_06.asf).

A 30 minute peer-reviewed video explains the science behind genetic engineering was developed with funding from the Animal Science Department

mms://STREAM.ucanr.org/Windows%20Media/UCTV_04_06.asf

Green outline denotes major GE-crop growing areas

ANTI-GMO ORDINANCES PASSED

ANTI-GMO ORDINANCE VOTED ON AND REJECTED, NOVEMBER 2004

ANTI-GMO ORDINANCES UNDER CONSIDERATION

PRO-GMO RESOLUTION PASSED

As of 5/25/05

ANTI-GMO ORDINANCE QUALIFIED FOR BALLOT


GE Outreach Efforts 2004-2005

Counties where CE GE Counties where CE GE informational outreach events informational outreach events

have been heldhave been held


““Co-existence Co-existence is related to the principle is related to the principle that all farmers should be able to that all farmers should be able to cultivate freely the crops of their choice cultivate freely the crops of their choice using the production system they using the production system they prefer. The general concept of co-prefer. The general concept of co-existence is already well established in existence is already well established in California agriculture with conventional, California agriculture with conventional, organic, and integrated pest organic, and integrated pest management systems working management systems working successfully together.”successfully together.”

One of the most divisive issues regarding One of the most divisive issues regarding genetic engineering is the suggestion genetic engineering is the suggestion that a choice must be made between that a choice must be made between

eithereither “organic agriculture” OR “genetic “organic agriculture” OR “genetic engineering”.engineering”.


Co-PIs and CollaboratorsCo-PIs and Collaborators

ANR ANR Kent Brittan, Benny Fouche, Peggy Lemaux, Kent Brittan, Benny Fouche, Peggy Lemaux,

Alan McHughen, Dan Putnam, Alison Van Alan McHughen, Dan Putnam, Alison Van Eenennaam, Ron Vargas, Carl Winter, Eenennaam, Ron Vargas, Carl Winter, Dan Putnam Dan Putnam

AESAESKent Bradford, Norman Ellstrand , Pam Kent Bradford, Norman Ellstrand , Pam

Ronald , Rick Roush, Brian WrightRonald , Rick Roush, Brian Wright

ANR CORE ISSUES GRANT ANR CORE ISSUES GRANT APPLICATION: APPLICATION: Co-existence of Diverse Co-existence of Diverse

Production Systems in California Agriculture: Production Systems in California Agriculture: Development of Science-based Educational Development of Science-based Educational

Materials and Outreach Programs.Materials and Outreach Programs.


1. Development of science-based educational materials on specific concerns with regard to the use of genetic engineering in California agriculture.

2. Development of educational materials on methods to enable co-existence.

3. Travel for project planning, UCCE "Train the trainer" workshops, educational symposia and forums.

$35,000

Co-existence of Diverse Production Co-existence of Diverse Production Systems in California Agriculture: Systems in California Agriculture:

Development of Science-based Development of Science-based Educational Materials and Outreach Educational Materials and Outreach

Programs.Programs.


ConclusionsConclusions

This issue involved the whole continuum because This issue involved the whole continuum because there was a there was a demand for the informationdemand for the information in the in the counties, and there were campus-based AES and CE counties, and there were campus-based AES and CE people with expertise who were willing to participatepeople with expertise who were willing to participate

This outreach effort in 2004 was essentially done in This outreach effort in 2004 was essentially done in the absence of any institutional support – the absence of any institutional support – sometimes the job gets done in spite of the systemsometimes the job gets done in spite of the system

As a result of the connections that were made in this As a result of the connections that were made in this effort we were able to put together a successful ANR effort we were able to put together a successful ANR grant application with strong CE and AES grant application with strong CE and AES participation and supportparticipation and support

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