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ETC Group (eco-justice)

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ETC Group
Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration
Pronunciation
  • et cetera group
PredecessorNational Sharecroppers Fund
Formation1977; 47 years ago (1977)
10
Revenue710,216 USD (2021)
Expenses618,982 USD (2021)
Staff13
Websitehttps://www.etcgroup.org
Formerly called
Rural Advancement Foundation International

The Action Group on Erosion, Technology, and Concentration (ETC) is an international organization dedicated to "the conservation and sustainable advancement of cultural and ecological diversity and human rights." 'ETC' is intended to be pronounced "et cetera."[1][2] ETC frequently publishes opinions on scientific research by its staff and board members, covering topics such as community and regional planning, ecology and evolutionary biology, and political science.[3]

History

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The ETC Group, until September 1, 2001 known as Rural Advancement Foundation International ([RAFI])[4] has roots tracing back to the National Sharecroppers Fund[5] established during the 1930s. The Fund, initiated by Eleanor Roosevelt and others, aimed to alleviate the challenges faced by predominantly black tenant farmers in the United States.

In the early 1970s, Pat Mooney, Hope Shand, and Cary Fowler initiated work on seed-related issues under the auspices of the Rural Advancement Foundation. Over time, they established an international branch focused on advocating for farmers' rights in the global south.

RAFI was a pioneer in civil society research, critiques, and advocacy related to farmers' rights and seed monopoly laws. The organization opposed the adoption of genetic engineering in agriculture, patents on life, biopiracy (a term coined by RAFI), and emerging life science technologies such as terminator technology, genomic technologies, and nanotechnology. RAFI played a crucial role in advocating for and influencing UN recognition of farmers' rights and the establishment of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

In order to secure nonprofit status in the United States, RAFI conducted a name change contest on their website in early 2001, eventually selecting the name ETC Group (etcetera) after considering numerous suggestions from the public.[6]

Geoengineering

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The organization has been an active voice against geoengineering, as highlighted through their "Hands off Mother Earth!" campaign, which was launched in April 2010. In October 2010, they published a detailed report titled "Geopiracy: The Case Against Geoengineering," which examined various dimensions of geoengineering. The report covered proposed technologies, governance frameworks, key stakeholders in the geoengineering field, and the involvement and interests of military forces and corporations.

Diana Bronson, a spokesperson for the ETC Group, argued that global warming was largely caused by the actions of the scientific, corporate, and political elites in developed nations. She expressed concerns about entrusting these same entities to resolve the climate crisis and protect the biosphere, highlighting her skepticism regarding their motivations and effectiveness in addressing environmental issues. The organization continues to advocate for sustainable and community-led solutions, warning against quick technological fixes that may have long-term consequences.[7]

Synthetic biology

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The ETC Group actively advocates for increased regulation within the emerging scientific domain of synthetic biology, which they characterize as "extreme genetic engineering."[8] The group's primary concerns regarding this field encompass issues related to corporate involvement as well as potential threats to biosafety and biosecurity. They have sought to raise public awareness and understanding of synthetic biology through the creation and dissemination of comic-style illustrations concerning "Synthia," the cell with the first synthetic genome, engineered by Craig Venter and the J. Craig Venter Institute.[9] Another illustration, titled "The Story of Synthia," was later released as a small video clip.[10]

On December 16, 2010, the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues issued a report recommending self-regulation by synthetic biologists, asserting that the fledgling technology posed minimal risks to society.[11] This recommendation faced strong opposition from Jim Thomas of the ETC Group, who characterized the commission's suggestions as "disappointingly empty and timid."[11] The ETC Group aligned with more than 50 environmental organizations, urging a moratorium on synthetic biology through a letter to government officials. They labeled the commission's conclusions as "irresponsible and dangerous," contending that "self-regulation amounts to no regulation."[11]

On January 23, 2012, UC Berkeley's Richmond Field Station was selected as the site for the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's secondary campus.[12] In a press conference addressing concerns about synthetic biology at local, national, and international levels, a panel comprising five members, including Jim Thomas of the ETC Group, highlighted the risks associated with synthetic biology.[12] The panel criticized the laboratory's affiliation with UC Berkeley as a superficial endorsement for an inadequately regulated industry with potentially perilous consequences. Additionally, Thomas characterized the industry as a "1.6 billion dollar industry" akin to "genetic engineering on steroids."[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "About ETC Group". Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  2. ^ "RAFI becomes ETC group". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-11-18.
  3. ^ "People". etcgroup.org. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  4. ^ "Rural Advancement Foundation International – USA (RAFI)". EarthShare NC. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  5. ^ "Walter P. Reuther Library National Sharecroppers Fund Records". reuther.wayne.edu. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  6. ^ "RAFI becomes ETC Group". etcgroup.org. 3 September 2001. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  7. ^ Vidal, John (2011-07-09). "Geo-engineering: green versus greed in the race to cool the planet". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  8. ^ "Synthetic Biology". ETC Group. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  9. ^ "The Men and Money Behind Synthia". ETC Group. Archived from the original on 2012-05-21. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
  10. ^ "The Story of Synthia | ETC Group". www.etcgroup.org. 2009-10-12. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  11. ^ a b c Andrew Pollack (December 16, 2010). "Synthetic Biology Does Not Need Regulation Now, Panel Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
  12. ^ a b c Robert Rogers (March 29, 2012). "Critics raise safety concerns with biotech labs at Berkeley forum". Mercury News. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
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