ELCA NEWS SERVICE November 16, 2004 ELCA Council Adopts Policy On Genetically Modified Organisms 04-214-FI CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a social policy resolution on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the food supply. The policy directs the church's advocacy on "legislative action, trade policies, patent laws, hunger relief and development measures, shareholder actions and policy proposals" to first consider several "central themes and relevant values." The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. The council met here Nov. 11-15. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 8-14, 2005, in Orlando, Fla. The social policy resolution defined GMOs as "microbes, plants and non-human animals that have been manipulated at the genetic level by means of biotechnology." It dealt primarily with "GMOs in the human food supply since most of the current controversy about GMOs is located there." "The biotechnology that makes possible genetically modified organisms (GMOs) bears the potential both for substantial good and permanent harm. The manipulation of genetic material (DNA) in seeds, for instance, has sometimes prevented crop disaster or increased crop productivity, reduced chemical input, and lowered production costs. At the same time, the use of GMOs has led to disputes about food safety, food security, food sovereignty, economic development, trade implications and ecological integrity," the policy said. "We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) as individual members and as a corporate body are called to responsible deliberation and action when such weighty social and ecological issues are at stake," it said. William R. Lloyd Jr., council member, Somerset, Pa., provided the sole vote against the resolution, saying it was balanced but unclear about where the church stands on the issue. The purpose of the resolution is "to say what we can say about an issue that is of great concern to a great number of people," said Roger A. Willer, associate for studies, ELCA Division for Church in Society. "These are the things to consider when dealing with this very broad and wide issue," he said. David M. Nelson, council member, Bridgeport, Neb., said the resolution stated fairly where the church stands. It did not say GMOs are harmful or safe; it pointed out "the unknown," he said. "Evidence from the physical and social sciences does not settle the question of how harmful or beneficial GMOs are," the resolution said. Some compare genetic manipulation to traditional breeding methods, while others say nothing compares to all the possibilities of such manipulation. Some question whether enough testing has been done or can be done on GMOs to ensure the safety of human health and the environment, while others attest to the benefits of GMOs to health and the environment. "In the face of this complexity, decisions on matters of policy and practice are both difficult and necessary," the policy said. "Individual cases need to be evaluated with multiple criteria for their impact on the food supply, social systems and environment." To evaluate GMO-related issues, the social policy resolution lifts central themes from two existing ELCA social statements on economic life and caring for creation -- sufficient and sustainable livelihood for all, stewardship and justice. It also lists several "relevant values" derived from ELCA social policies -- the good of science and technology, human needs and justice, humility and the future, and regulation and the common good. The resolution raises a number of questions when considering the possible effects of GMO-related policies or actions on: + the alleviation of hunger at the household and community level in a just and beneficial way. + the well being of the environment and human beings. + the participation of consumers or beneficiaries to make free and informed decisions. + family farmers in the United States and abroad. + individual farmers and commercial enterprises to produce goods and services. + protecting indigenous species in their variety (biodiversity) and their habitat. + the mutual thriving of the natural and social system over the long term, including the reversal of current environmental degradation. + the health of humans who consume GMOs. -- -- -- The full text of the "Social Policy Resolution on Genetically Modified Organisms in the Food Supply" will be linked to http://www.elca.org/dcs/elca_actions.html on the ELCA Web site. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news