As many of our readers might already know, the Society for a GE Free BC has partnered with Greenpeace Vancouver Local Group to coordinate a cross-Canada speaker’s tour on the topic of genetically engineered foods. Entitled Genetically Engineered (GE) Foods and Human Health, the goal of this tour is to address the public’s concerns about GE foods and their impacts on human health.
Through a mix of presentations and public meetings, Dr. Thierry Vrain, a retired soil biologist and genetic engineer who now speaks against GE technology after a 30-year career with Agriculture Canada, and Dr. Shiv Chopra, a former Health Canada scientist who lost his job after going public with concerns about the potential human health risks associated with bovine growth hormone, will discuss their concerns about GE foods within the Canadian food system.
In order to help make the tour a reality, we are reaching out to like-minded individuals, organizations, and businesses, and asking for financial support. As non-profit organizations, we rely on the funding from local business and organizations willing to help raise awareness on GE foods, and seek donations to help cover core expenses including airfare, gas, vehicle rentals, and accommodations.
With twenty-eight events scheduled for the western tour, and more being confirmed for the eastern tour (scheduled for January-February 2014), the anticipated cost of the tour is $10,000. To date, we have raised over $2,000, and are asking for your support by making a financial donation to the GE Foods & Human Health’s GoFundMe online campaign.
Any contribution is greatly appreciated – no donation being too small – and will assist our team to successfully reach our fundraising goal and our pursuit of a food-sovereign Canada where no GE life forms are created, patented, approved, bought, sold, or traded.
If you’re interested in making a financial donation, here’s what you can help fund*:
- $500 will pay for half of Dr. Vrain’s flight from Vancouver to Ottawa.
- $135 will cover gas and vehicle rental for one day.
- $40 will cover meal expenses for one presenter per day.
- $20 will cover the printed materials for one event.
*Please note, this entire tour is volunteer run. The guest presenters and the organizing committee are volunteering their time for the duration of the tour and will not benefit financially from this fundraising campaign.
If you do not wish to make a financial contribution online, donations in cash or cheque (made out to “GE Free BC”) can be mailed to:
Society for a GE Free BC
RE: GE Food and Human Health Tour
325 Eagle Ridge Drive, Salt Spring Island, BC
V8K 2L1
If you are unable to make a financial contribution to the tour, there are numerous ways in which you can get involved!
- Share this online campaign and tell your friends about the upcoming tour.
- ‘Like’ GE Free BC facebook.
- Follow us on Twitter @GEFOODSTOUR.
- Encourage others to donate to the campaign.
- Support the work of the Society for a GE Free BC and the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network
- Become a tour volunteer! If you’d like to be part of a dynamic team of volunteers committed to raising awareness on the issue of GE foods? If so, the GE Foods & Human Health – A Cross-Canada Speaker’s Tour seeks a volunteer fundraiser. Asking for a commitment of 3-5 hours per week, the volunteer will work to promote the tour’s online fundraising campaign via social media and direct outreach. As the tour is organized remotely, volunteers can work from home – from anywhere in Canada. Prospective candidates can express their interest by emailing: GEFoods.Tour@gmail.com
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our request.
Sincerely,
GE Foods and Human Health Tour Committee
NEW Info Graphic
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Speaker’s Bios
The tour will feature a presentation by Dr. Thierry Vrain, a retired soil biologist and genetic engineer who, after a 30-year career with Agriculture Canada, no longer supports GE technology. Alarmed by the avalanche of scientific studies out of Europe raising many concerns about the long-term safety of GE foods, including the allergenic potential of GE plants containing rogue proteins and organ damage in rats fed GE foods over a few months, Dr. Vrain is intent on increasing public awareness about this growing issue and having the federal agencies in the US and Canada take notice.
Dr. Shiv Chopra, a former Health Canada senior scientific advisor who blew the whistle on bovine growth hormone (rBGH), several additional hormones, antibiotics, and various other products endangering public health, will be accompanying Dr. Vrain for a portion of the tour. Dr. Chopra is a graduate of veterinary medicine. He holds an MSc and PhD in Microbiology and is a fellow of the World Health Organization. His book, Corrupt to the Core: Memoirs of a Health Canada Whistleblower, is an international best seller. A world-renowned speaker, Dr. Chopra is featured in many nationally acclaimed documentaries.
Presentation Content
Dr. Thierry Vrain’s presentation, The Gene Revolution will:
- explain what genetic engineering is, how it began, and how it has progressed. This will be facilitated through a slide presentation, citing the latest scientific studies;
- define the documented effects of GE foods and how that relates to human health; and
- discuss what the future holds for us if GE foods are not stopped.
Dr. Shiv Chopra will:
- discuss issues involving the Canadian regulatory process, including the story of bovine growth hormone (rBGH);
- show how the regulatory process is being compromised to serve corporate interests; and
- discuss solutions and what the public can do about it.
Tour Map
Select the map to open an interactive version. Within the interactive map, select the event date and you will be directed to the event contact.
Tour Locations
Thur., Nov. 14 – Courtenay, BC
Venue: Filberg Centre, Conference Hall, 411, Anderton Rd.
Time: 7 – 9:30pm
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Fri., Nov. 15 – Campbell River, BC
Venue: North Island College Theatre, 1685 South Dogwood St.
Time: 7 pm
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Sat. Nov. 16 – Nanaimo, BC
Venue: Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo Campus
Building 356, Room 109, 900 Fifth St.
Time: 1-3 pm
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Sat. Nov. 16 – Duncan, BC
Venue: Vancouver Island University, Cowichan Campus
2011 University Way
Time: 7 pm
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Sun., Nov. 17 – Sooke, BC
Venue: Sooke Harbour House, 1528 Whissin Spit Rd.
Time: 2 pm
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Mon., Nov. 18 – Victoria, BC
Venue: University of Victoria, Room A 110, David Turpin Building
Time: 7-9 pm
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Tues., Nov 19 – Vancouver, BC
Venue: Canadian Memorial United Church & Centre For Peace, Church Sanctuary at 15th & Burrard
Time: 7 pm
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Wed., Nov. 20 – Squamish, BC
Venue: Sea to Sky Hotel, 40330 Tantalus Way
Time: 7 pm
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Thurs., Nov. 21 Vancouver, BC
Venue: Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS), 2260 West Mall, UBC
Time: 2-4 pm
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Thurs., Nov 21 – Coquitlam, BC
Venue: Douglas College, David Lam Campus, Room A1470, 1250 Pinetree Way
Time: 7-9:30 pm
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Fri., Nov. 22 – Langley, BC
Venue: Municipal Bldg, Township of Langley, 20338 65 Ave.
Time: 7-9 pm
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Sat., Nov. 23 – Vancouver, BC
Venue: Unitarian Church of Vancouver, 949 49 Ave W.
Time: 2:30pm
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Sun., Nov. 24 – Kelowna, BC
Venue: Okanagan College Student Theater, 1000 KLO Road
Time: 7 pm
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Tues., Nov. 26 – Penticton, BC
Event By Invitation
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Tues., Nov. 26 – Osoyoos, BC
Venue: Watermark Beach Resort, 15 Park Place
Time: 7-9:30 pm
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Wed., Nov. 27 – Kamloops, BC
Venue: Alumni Clock Tower Theatre, Thomson River University, 900 McGill Rd.
TIME: 7 pm
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Thurs., Nov. 28 – Vernon, BC
Venue: Schubert Centre, 3505-30th Ave.
Time: 7 pm
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Fri., Nov. 29 – Salmon Arm, BC
Venue: First United Church, 450 Okanagan Ave. SE
Time: 2 pm
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Fri., Nov. 29 – Revelstoke, BC
Venue: Revelstoke Seniors Centre, 603 Connaught Ave.
Time: 7 pm
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Sat., Nov. 30 – Mission, BC
Venue: Harrison Mills Hall, 1995 School Road, Harrison Mills
Time: 7 pm
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Nov. 30 – Dec. 4: Break
Thurs., Dec. 5 – Grand Forks, BC
Venue: Seniors Centre, City Park
Time: 7 pm
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Fri., Dec. 6 – Castlegar, BC
Venue: Selkirk College Castlegar Campus, 301 Frank Beinder Way
Time: 12 – 2 pm
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Fri., Dec. 6 – Nelson, BC
Venue: Nelson United Church, 602 Silica St.
Time: 7 pm
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Sat., Dec. 7 – Creston, BC
Venue: Ramada Creston, 1-1809 Hwy 3
Time: 6 pm
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Sun., Dec. 8 – Kimberley, BC
Venue: Centre 64, 64 Deer Park Ave.
Time: 7:30 pm
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Mon., Dec. 9 – Calgary, AB
Venue: Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Centre, 1418 – 7 Ave. NW
Time: 7:30-9:30pm
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Tues., Dec. 10 – Edmonton, AB
Venue: Telus Centre, University of Alberta, 87 Ave and 111 St.
Time: 7 pm
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Wed., Dec. 11 – Brooks, AB
Venue: 403 2 St W, Cottonwood Court
Time: 7 pm
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Thurs., Dec. 12 – Medicine Hat, AB
Venue: Medicine Hat Public Library, 414 1 St. SE
Time: 2-4 p.m.
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Thurs., Dec. 12 Medicine Hat, AB
Venue: Medicine Hat College S159, 299 College Dr. SE
Time: 7 pm
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Fri., Dec. 13 – Lethbridge, AB
Venue: Harvest Haven Health, Alberta 5
Time: 11 am
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Fri., Dec. 13 Lethbridge, AB
Venue: University of Lethbridge, Wellness Centre Room PE 250, 4401 University Dr W
Time: 7 pm
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Sat. Dec. 14 – Kaslo, BC
Venue: St. Andrews United Church, 500 – 4th St.
Time: 6-8 pm
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GE Free BC 
Please when and where is this forum going to be and what time in Victoria bc
Hi Vicki, if you can’t click on the interactive map, go to the tour tab at the top of the home page which should lead you to details of all the tour locations. If you can’t see the details please get back to us.
Looking forward to this tour.
Drs. Vrain and Chopra are extremely knowledgeable and courageous people, whose views on GE crops should be central to government policy. I encourage anyone and everyone to attend. – Eleanor Boyle, PhD
Any plans on coming to Ontario?…would so love it if you can!
I have been corresponding with Health Canada on the GM/GE issue; needless to say, a very frustrating experience, but am not going to stop!
Regards, Julia Moran-Grant
Yes Julia, there are plans for Ontario in the New Year. If you would like to get involved please email to gefreebc07@yahoo.ca and we will get back in touch with you. Thanks for all your work and definitely don’t stop.
So pleased about your Ontario tour…will be spreading the word as far and wide as I can!
If and when you make your way to Ontario, I would be willing to help host/organize a portion of your tour in the greater toronto area. LizCouture@hotmail.com
Thanks very much Liz, we are passing this on to the organising committee for the tour.
Petition CBC News, The National to Interview Dr Thierry Vrain Regarding GMO & The Future of Agriculture
http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/petition-cbc-news-the-national-to-interview-dr-thierry-vrain-regarding-gmo-the-future-of-agriculture
How can we email the speakers with issues and questions we’d like addressed?
Hi Sarah, the speakers are not taking questions ahead of time – that idea came up but they just wanted to take questions after the presentations.
I attended the excellent presentation in Langley recently. It went into overtime and many people still had questions unanswered. Any way to put these questions to Dr. Vrain or Chopra now?
Hi Gwynneth, thanks for getting in touch, please forward your questions and we will send them on to the tour organizing committee.
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To date, there has not been a really adequate high-quality online presentation of Dr Vrain’s invaluable contributions to this critical debate.
Will a hybrid digital version of his tour presentation be made available in due course with the best Q&A sessions?
Personally I should also love to hear an in-depth three-way conversation (or four, with Shiv Chopra) between Thierry Vrain, the incomparable Vandana Shiva and Dr Mae-Wan Ho…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae-Wan_Ho
I recently participated in a new short course at Schumacher College in Devon, UK on agroecology, led by Colin Tudge
http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/blog/real-farming-a-people-s-take-over-of-the-world-s-food-supply-with-colin-tudge
I have strong links to the College & am well acquainted with Satish Kumar ~ also with the team at Resurgence; so I would be happy to suggest Thierry contribute perhaps an article, or a suitable media file for their Ecologist website or be invited to collaborate on a short course in their ongoing MSc Holistic Science, and also Horticulture programmes.
David Llewellyn Foster, Hartland North Devon
Thanks David. Thierry’s Ted Talk is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQkQXyiynYs
Yes I’ve heard it, and all the other material I’ve been able to access online like Tony Mitra’s very informative videos, also the Northwood lecture which is really impossible to listen to because of the poor quality, also the long conversation he had with David Gibbons. There’s a good print interview with Tsiporah Grignon as well I see.
No, what i’m suggesting is a more comprehensive and well produced video presentation, building on all the former material, to really get the facts over. Any chance of this?
Vandana Shiva is truly brilliant at this, but she is not a geneticist. Mae-Wan Ho is fantastic as well, but she has been systematically attacked ever since the published G E Dream or Nightmare back in 1998.
I think Thierry is in a unique and particularly strong position because of his background. He can make a huge difference, and in the context of the TPP and TAFTA negotiations we really do need to marshal our forces, to increase the pressure on European policy makers, especially since Ann Glover came out pro GM (clearly in bed with Monsanto and fellow Scot Hugh Grant…) http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/chief-scientific-adviser/
By the way, although born in the UK & living here now, I am a Canadian citizen and spent 22 years in both Eastern and Western Canada (including the Gulf Islands in the seventies.)
Hi David, it’s a great idea. We sent you an email yesterday so suggest we continue the conversation by email.
Is anyone filming these for YouTube ?
Salmon Arm talk by Mr. Vrain
Dec 3
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