Genetically-Manipulated Crop Destroyed in the U.S.
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Gardeners Decontaminate Genetic Corn Crop
For Immediate Release
November 26, 1998
A group of conservative gardeners calling themselves the California
Croppers held a tackle football match early Thanksgiving morning at the
"Gill Tract" gardens, and in the process destroyed a crop of
genetically-engineered corn. The land is located at the corner of San
Pablo and Buchanan in the North Berkeley/Albany district, and is owned
and operated by the University of California.
The Croppers took the opportunity to welcome biotech giant Novartis, who
just signed a multimillion dollar research deal with UC-Berkeley.
"As an informal welcome-wagon gesture, the Croppers would like to make
it clear to Novartis that we will take similar actions against any
future biotech experiments. Don't let our unseriousness make you think
this isn't serious: the security of the world's food supply is at stake.
Giant corporations have set mad scientists loose upon the world, and as
responsible citizens and farmers, we have no choice but to stop them,"
said Captain Swing of the California Croppers.
The match was also meant as a Thanksgiving gift to Americans, who will
be eating hearty meals today, 60-70% of which is estimated to contain
genetically-engineered food products.
The rather pleasant and sporting activity of decontaminating fields of
mutant crops is widespread in Europe and India. This is believed to be
the first such action in the United States since a crop of Frostban
strawberries were pulled up in 1987 by Earth First!, an event which also
took place in the Bay Area.