Toronto 2002

bioJUSTICE/bioDIVERSITY 2002
6th International Grassroots
Gathering on Genetic Engineering
June 7-9, Toronto, Canada

Sponsors: Polaris Institute, Council of Canadians, BIOdevastation
Toronto Coalition, Institute for Social Ecology [USA]

bioJUSTICE/bioDIVERSITY 2002 was the sixth in a series of international grassroots gatherings on issues of genetic engineering, the patenting of life, and corporate dominance over our food and health. It was the fourth such gathering to coincide with the annual convention of BIO, the Biotechnology Industry Organization.

Over the last two years, thousands of people have gathered to counter the annual conventions of the biotechnology industry in Boston and San Diego. This year, people will be converging on Toronto to broaden the biojustice movement and challenge the biotechnology industry and their vision for our future. It will be a gathering to learn, strategize and network about genetic engineering in agriculture and pharmaceuticals, biowarfare, genetic and non-genetic discrimination, trade regimes and corporate control, patenting of life and more. This event is timed to challenge the industry’s annual convention BIO2002, Toronto, June 9-12.

A report from ontario.indymedia.org

Lucy Sharratt, formerly of the Polaris Institute (now director of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network), compiled a detailed report on the accomplishments of bioJUSTICE/bioDIVERSITY 2002:

The gathering aimed to further the biojustice movement by:

Broadening the issues addressed and analysis engaged in biotech resistance.
Engaging new communities of people across sectors of [...]