Posted on 30-10-2003

Denationed
by Alan Marston

The lifting of the moratorium on Genetically Engineered organisms in field
trials and agriculture in New Zealand is the clearest signal yet that the
global economy has no room for national sovereignty. Nations are well on
the way out, leaving the package but not the contents. This has deep
implications for every individual raised on a concept of democracy housed
in a parliament and institutions keeping the peace.

Facts say we've been denationed

More than two-thirds of New Zealanders don't want it, exporters fear it may
cost them their marketing edge, and the latest scientific evidence warns
against it ­ but the New Zealand Labour Government has decided we're
getting it anyway. At midnight last night New Zealand's people have been
forced to bow before a corporate agenda that wants the commercialisation
and control of food and agriculture and sees genetically engineered
organisms (GE) as a potent tool to achieve that. Thousands of New
Zealanders, by every measure a majority, did not want the moratorium on GE
lifted, their democratic voice has been ignored and that marks more than
just a danger of contaminated food and agricultural goods, more than just
the specter of GE animals including humans. The whole concept and practise
of nations is undermined, without any obvious alternative to put in its
place except letting government out to contract a la Iraq. Dangerous ground.

The history of the GE debate is now well known, the future of course is
not. Nevertheless it is pretty obvious that the deep pain felt after
being run over by anything, especially by those you vote and pay for, will
motivate many people to direct action where democratic action has failed.
New Zealand will now experience the effects of ignoring people's
legitimately held and legitimately made economic and political demands.
Initially nothing like the frustrations that overflow in the Middle East
and Far East, in New Zealand young people in particular will now be
strongly inclined to cast respect for institutions and all other cautions
to the wind when they contemplate and act out a political need.

New Zealand, a pioneer in so many social movements over the last 150yrs may
well lead again, but before we do there is going to be hell to play.