Beyond GM Publications

We have a wide range of leaflets for you to read and download. If you would like some to give away at events please let us know.

 

Genetic Technologies Manifesto 2024

As the UK heads for a general election and a possible change of government, we have an opportunity to shift the debate around genetic technologies away from the narrow. and in many ways false. narrative of GMOs – new and old – as strictly a science and innovation issue. First and foremost they are a food, farming and environment issue and policymaking, including upcoming amendments to the Genetic Technology Act, should be viewed through this lens.

 

Genetic Technologies in Food and Farming – General Election Manifesto 2024

 

A shorter summary version of the Manifesto is also available.

 

Genetic Technology Bill Briefs

During the passage of the Genetic Technology Bill over 2022/23 Beyond GM provided numerous briefs to policymakers, advisors and parliamentarians. Some of these focused specifically on the Bill and amendments, others focused on the contextual issues raised by the Bill. A selection of these is below.

 

Genetic Technology Bill Lord First Reading

Genetic Technology Bill Lords Report Stage

Genetic Technology Bill, Commons First Brief

Genetic Technology Bill Commons Second Reading

Additional Briefs

Safeguarding Agroecology

This factsheet supports our recent webinar which aimed to bring hosted by the CSA Network, aimed to bring those involved in local and regional food production up to speed on the latest developments in genetic engineering and to provide an agroecological framework for thinking and talking about the ‘new GMOs’.​

 

Agroecology & the Threat of Gene Editing

 

Defra Consultation on Deregulating GMOs 

On 7 January 2021 Defra launched a public consultation into deregulating plants and animals created using gene-editing. Beyond GM has worked individually and in close collaboration with other groups, notably GM Freeze, on a public facing response to the consultation including advice for the general public on how to respond, and a social media campaign to encourage public engagement. We have also produced a brief for MPs and our own comprehensive response to the consultation. In addition, we worked with Slow Food UK on a letter to Supermarkets asking them not to stock deregulated GMOs. Links to these documents and to our official response to the consultation are below.

How to respond to the Defra consultation

Beyond GM and Slow Food UK letter to supermarkets

Briefing for MPs on key issues around gene editing and deregulation

Beyond GM’s official response to the public consultation on deregulating GMOs


A Bigger Conversation

Our A Bigger Conversation initiative brings voices from all sides of the debate – from science, ethics, faith, environment, business and more – together to discuss a range of issues around new genetic engineering techniques. We’ll be adding more reports as they become available.

Report from our World Cafe – Executive Summary

Report from our World Cafe – Full Report 

Report from our UK Roundtable

 

Recent comments/briefs

Our responses to various calls for evidence on the future of food provide some food for thought and briefs on current issues.

Detailed political briefing on moves to deregulate GMOs via the UK’s Agriculture Bill

Detailed action briefing on moves to deregulate GMOs in the UK via the Agriculture Bill

Submission to the European Group on Ethics in Science and Technology

Submission to the UK National Food Strategy Call for Evidence

Submission to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics Call for Evidence on Gene-edited Animals

Submission to the European Commission Farm To Fork consultation

 

Good Food Makes Everything Better

A series that explores the multiple ways in which food links into human and environmental wellbeing. For links to sources and suggested readings for each leaflet see here.

GMOs

Animal Welfare

Climate Change

Health

Food Waste

Wildlife

Hunger

Pesticides

 

For chefs

Chefs are being specifically targeted by the biotech industry to serve food that may not even be in the supermarkets yet. Often it is not labelled – so customers never know if they are eating GMOs or not. Our Stir the Pot initiative aims to get chefs and others in food service learning more, thinking more and talking more about all the issues around GMOs.

Exploring the slow creep of GMO foods into the restaurant food chain.

What customers want chefs to know about GMOs

 

With the Greencuisine Trust

As part of our work with chefs and others in the food industry via out Stir the Pot initiative we are very pleased to be working with the Greencuisine Trust to produce a series of five downloadable leaflets looking at GMOs in the UK food system. Here’s the first three.

GMOs in the UK

GMOs in Healthcare

GMOs & Farm Animals

GMOs in Herbs & Spices

GMOs & Corporate Control

 

For and about kids

Children feel the impact of our industrial food system more, for instance through poor nutrition and exposure to environmental toxins. It is also important that we find ways to help educate them about what a sustainable food system looks like.

The impacts of industrial food on children’s health

How much do you know about GMOs?

 

Our reports

Beyond GM has commissioned two important surveys which look at UK citizen concerns and beliefs around GMOs in food and farming, and at how these issues are represented in the media. Articles around these issues can be found on our main website.

Shocking pro-GMO bias at the BBC exposed

What customers want chefs to know about GMOs

 

More from Beyond GM

Find out a little more about us, why we campaign and how you can help.

Find out more about us

 

Common questions about GMOs

 

 

 

Ask questions about GMOs

 

How much do you know about glyphosate?

The ‘new’ GMOs and what they mean to food, health and safety

For copies of this as a postcard, contact us