Resolutions Submitted
to the
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology:
Impact of Applications to Families
Whereas, there is an understanding that technologies
have costs, risks, and benefits associated with them that
may not be distributed evenly across different populations,
and
Whereas, there is a disparity in the scientific community
on the goals of genetically engineered and biotechnologically
developed products, and
Whereas, the schism between the natural and social sciences
is becoming nonexistent because there is a growing appreciation
that changes in genetic engineering and biotechnology simultaneously
affect social change, and
Whereas, genetic engineering and biotechnology techniques
have been used for many years in U.S. agricultural developments,
those Transogenic products are open to question in the areas
of food safety, storage, processing, and nutritional benefits,
and
Whereas, developments in the field of genetically engineered
and biotechnologically altered foods present challenges to
the family's food supply and safety, and
Whereas, genetic engineering and biotechnology developments
in agriculture increase the nutritional value of food and
reduce the need for the use of chemicals to eliminate pests
and weeds,
Therefore Be It Resolved that the American Association of
Family and Consumer Sciences supports dialogue, education,
collaboration, investigation, research, and value identification
in the growing arena of genetic engineering and biotechnology,
and
Be It Further resolved that the American Association of
Family and Consumer Sciences will work together at the federal,
state, and local levels to maximize the understanding and
enhancement of the well-being of families as genetic engineering
and biotechnology advances.
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: Rationale
The research advances made over the past twenty years
have moved genetic engineering and biotechnology onto the
American and world landscapes. The public has long accepted
new technology as being beneficial without much challenge.
There is a growing understanding that new technologies have
costs, risks, and benefits associated that are not necessarily
distributed evenly across the population.
In November 2000, funding was increased to the U.S. Agency
for International Development to use genetic engineering
and biotechnology to battle hunger in developing nations.
Biotech crops have been grown in the United States since
1996 and currently account for one-half of the nation's soybean
crop production. Through genetic research, corn varieties
are producing a product that is more disease resistant and
more pest resistant, thus potentially lowering the need to
use chemicals. The understanding of genetics allows a crops
like rice to be altered to include Vitamin A, a boon to undernourished
children in the developing world. The issue is the acceptability
and cultural values of genetically altered foods.
In the human arena, as genetic research increases knowledge
about specific genes, what those genes control, how they
work, and how they are passed on to future generations will
be identified. In the area of health, test tube babies, cloned
children, and genetically superior children, raise moral
and ethical questions of ethics and individuality. The Human
Genome Project is an international effort to identify and
map all human genes. And, genetic knowledge can alter family
dynamics in ways unimagined. Certain cancers have been found
to be genetically passed on from generation to generation.
If some family members are tested for the presence of the
gene and others decide not to be, what effects will those
decisions have on family dynamics?
The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
can be instrumental in helping create dialogue on the social,
ethical, and commercial applications of genetic engineering
and biotechnology. AAFCS has the expertise to build relationships
and enjoin community involvement in examining the issues
inherent in genetic engineering and biotechnology.
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: References
AAFCS Public Policy Alert, American Association Family
and Consumer Sciences, Alexandria, VA, November, 2000.
"Agricultural Biotechnology: An Executive Summary of
the Critical Issues and Recommended Responses from theLand-Grant
Universities," National Association of State Universities
and Land-Grant Colleges: Washington, DC, Fall 2000.
"Agricultural Biotechnology: Critical Issues and Recommended
Responses from the Land-Grant Universities," National
Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges:
Washington, DC, Spring 2000.
Anderson, Clifton E. (March-April 2000) Dangers and Opportunities.
The Futurist.
Ervin, David E., et al. (November 2000). Transogenic Crops:
An Environmental Assessment, Henry A. Wallace Center for
Agricultural and Environmental Policy at Winrock International.
Frankel, Mark S., Ph.D. Thinking Ethically About Families,
Communities, and Technology. .Journal of Family and Consumer
Sciences: From Research to Practice. Vol. 92, Issue 4, 2000,
p 16-21.
"Mission Uncertain: Reassessing America's Global Role", Kitchen Forum,
National Issues Forums Institute, OH.
Nash, Zurich, J. Grains of hope. Time Magazine. July
31, 2000. Vol.156, no.5.
Palumbi, Stephen R. (April 13, 2001). The high-stakes battle
over brute-force genetic engineering. Chronicle of Higher
Education. B7-B9.
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: Impact Statement
Genetic engineering and biotechnology touches every life,
virtually every day. Every Nation on earth will feel the
impact of genetic engineering and biotechnology. There would
be a positive effect on the Association and its members in
encouraging increased collaborative efforts, providing research
and data to further the dialogue and determine effects, and
involving citizens at the local level in discussion and decision-making
about the implications and effects of genetic engineering
and biotechnology. Through the resolution process, all members
of the profession can contribute research, encourage dialogue,
and help define implications and alternatives for families
to use in making sound decisions consistent with family values,
beliefs, and culture.
Passage of this resolution would not impact the AAFCS budget
because:
- A collaborative effort would engage partnerships
from a wide array of disciplines and allow the Association
to advocate on behalf of families;
- Distribution of this resolution and other
materials related to this issue to AAFCS members and affiliated
organizations would occur through existing channels;
- Passage of this resolution would not require
any additional headquarters staff;
- Funds to support any new state or national
program initiative would have to be approved through already
existing channels;
- Any and all costs associated with this
resolution would be included in the Public Policy Budget
to cover networking costs, postage, copying, telephone/fax,
and posting information to the AAFCS website.
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology:
Suggested Implementation Strategies
- Distribute information broadly to the
membership through current channels on the status of current
legislation and funding opportunities in the area of genetic
engineering and biotechnology.
- Post information and updates on genetic
engineering and biotechnology on the AAFCS website.
- Coordinate with the Board of Directors,
the Affiliate Presidents' Unit, the Public Policy Committee,
related Association Action Groups and headquarters staff
to ensure that support for these activities is delivered
to, among others:
- a. The President of the U.S.
b. Appropriate Executive Branch agency staff
c. U.S. Senators
d. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives
e. Other key staff of public officials
f. USDA and other affiliated organizations and agencies.
g. State and Community Leaders
h. Educators
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