18 Jun 2001
frontline@rocketmail.com
Frontline: ELF Strikes University of Idaho Biotechnology Building (ID, USA)

Frontline Information Service - News 6/18/01

EARTH LIBERATION FRONT CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTION AGAINST GENETIC ENGINEERING AT UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
__________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2001

MOSCOW, ID - The Earth Liberation Front (ELF) has officially claimed responsibility for sabotaging the University of Idaho biotechnology building in opposition to genetic engineering on June 10, 2001. This is the second strike by the ELF at the new biotech building. (*See attached communique)

A communique released by the ELF stated, "Survey stakes were removed and the exterior of the new building painted with such sentiments as 'NO GE' and 'Go Organic'".

The Earth Liberation Front is an international underground organization that uses direct action in the form of economic sabotage to stop the destruction of the natural environment. In North America alone since 1997, the ELF has caused over $40 million in damages to entities who profit from the destruction of life.

The communique continued, "Biotechnological research may be intended for good ends by the scientist, as was nuclear research, but in our free enterprise police state society it will be used almost solely for greed and control. With Genetic Engineering we are creating another bomb."

Among other genetic engineering research projects, the University of Idaho, in partnership with Monsanto's Naturemark, genetically modifies potatoes to be resistant to various viruses and pests. UI with Naturemark and Idaho 4-H also are in collaboration in a "educational" program called "Biotechnology and Potatoes". This joint effort is aimed at "teaching" students of all ages about plant biotechnology and includes hands-on genetic engineering. The Young Enterprise Program is another outcome of this partnership which places the marketing of genetically engineered potatoes into the hands of students.

Naturemark supplies their genetically modified NewLeaf potatoes to students who then market them to local communities. These projects aimed at propagandizing students with industry myths no doubt refuse to discuss the serious threat genetic engineering poses to the natural environment and life on this planet.

Contact: NORTH AMERICAN EARTH LIBERATION FRONT PRESS OFFICE
503.478.0902 http://www.earthliberationfront.com

*A copy of the communique sent by the ELF appears below.

COMMUNIQUE RELEASED BY THE ELF

"Biotech Out of Our Community!
ELF claims attack on University of Idaho Biotech Building

The University of Idaho Biotechnology building, currently under construction, was targeted in the early hours of the morning on June 10th by a cell of the Earth Liberation Front calling themselves the Night Action Kids. Survey stakes were removed and the exterior of the new building painted with such sentiments as 'NO GE!' and 'Go Organic'.

This is the second action against the Biotechnology building. The first of which individuals entered the building and caused an unknown amount of damage.

An anonymous ELF Night Action Kid compares research in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology to the scientific studies which lead to the creation of the nuclear bomb. 'Biotechnological research may be intended for good ends by the scientist, as was nuclear research, but in our free enterprise police state society it will be used almost solely for greed and control. With Genetic Engineering we are creating another bomb.'

Monsanto and other large corporations are patenting seeds and forcing farmers to sign contracts that they will continue buying these GE, and many times pesticide resistant, seeds from the same corporation year after year, effectively taking control over our food sources. Genetically Engineered food on our grocery store shelves is not labeled as such, so the individual does not know what he or shi is eating. Genetically Engineered fish are escaping into the wild populations with the chance of killing off the entire species.

Genetic testing for predisposition to certain diseases, such as cancer, may soon keep you and your children from getting insurance or a job.

'GE corporations and their supporters have claimed that we [anti-GE activists] are using scare tactics to further our viewpoint. The fact is that Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering are scary prospects when placed in the hands of large corporations who care only about profits and not about the health and safety of the people, or the effects they are having on the environment. Through the University of Idaho Biotechnology Program we are teaching our children to work in a field which is developing faster than its effects, both physically and ethically, can be monitored and has the potential for causing catastrophic harm to all humans and the planet,' claims another Night Action Kid, who continues, 'Get Biotech out of Moscow! It is not wanted in our community.'"

-30-

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
F R O N T L I N E - N E W S Now With 3300+ Subscribers!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Brought to you by http://www.animalliberation.net

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Questions? Please read our FAQ before e-mailing us.
http://www.animalliberation.net/about/faq.html

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Would you like to Unsubscribe or Subscribe to the Frontline-News mailing list?

http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=frontline-news

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- For general questions, feedback and requests: infosite-mail@usa.net

- For problems with Frontline-News Mailing List: owner-frontline-news@waste.org

- Frontline Information Service/animal-liberation.net administrator: frontline@rocketmail.com

PGP keys available at: http://www.animalliberation.net/about/pgpkey.asc

Animal Liberation Frontline Information Service bringing you uncensored news from around the world since 1994