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Hereby you are invited to sign the following statement:

1997 State of the World Forum Statement on Life and Evolution 

"Life is an intimate web of relations that evolves in its own right, 
interfacing and integrating its myriad diverse elements. The complexity 
and interdependence of all forms of life have the consequence that the 
process of evolution cannot be controlled, though it can be influenced. 
It involves an unpredictable creative unfolding that calls for sensitive 
participation from all the players, particularly from the youngest, most 
recent arrivals, human beings.

Life must not be treated as a commodity that can be owned, in whole or 
in part, by anyone, including those who wish to manipulate it in order 
to design new lifeforms for human convenience and profit. 

There should be no patents on organisms or their parts. 

We must also recognize the potential dangers of genetic engineering to 
health and biodiversity, and the ethical problems it poses for our 
responsibilities to life. 


We propose a moratorium on commercial releases of genetically engineered 
products and a comprehensive public enquiry into the legitimate and safe 
uses of genetic engineering. This enquiry should take account of the 
precautionary principle as a criterion of sensitive participation in 
living processes. 

Species should be respected for their intrinsic natures and valued for 
their unique qualities, on which the whole intricate network of life
depends.

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We recognize the validity of the different ways of knowing that have 
been developed in different cultures, and the equivalent value of the 
knowledge gained within these traditions. These add substantially to the 
set of alternative technologies that can be used for the sustainable use 
of natural resources that will allow us to preserve the diversity of 
species and to pass the precious gift of life in all its beauty and 
creativity to our children and their children, to the next century and 
beyond".

                         ***

This statement was drafted during the 1997 State of the World Forum 
(Nov. 4-9) in San Francisco, by Brian Goodwin, Mae-Wan Ho, Fritjof Capra 
and Ervin Laszlo.

The statement and signatures will be presented to 

1.The next State of the World Forum, 

2. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity, 

3. Our Government(s), 

4. The WHO 

These instances will be asked to to initiate an enquiry into genetic 
engineering and the recent resurgence of infectious diseases. 


Among the signatories are:

Fritjof Capra, Institute for Ecoliteracy, California, USA; 
Peter Fenwick, Scientific and Medical Network, U.K.; 
Brian Goodwin, Schumacher College, U.K.
Mae-Wan Ho, Open University, U.K.
Ervin Laszlo, Club of Budapest, Hungary; 
David Lorimer, Scientific and Medical Network, U.K.
Richard Strohman, University of California, Berkeley, USA; 
Marilyn Schlitz, Institute of Noetic Sciences, California, USA; 
Peter Saunders, King's College, London, U.K. 
Vyvyan Howard, University of Liverpool, U.K.

___________________________________________


HOW TO SIGN

You have three options:

1. Fill in the form in the e-mail "Signature form for the State 
of the World Forum Statement" that was sent along with this message. 

2. Fill in the form at the following URL 
http://home1.swipnet.se/~w-18472/stateofw.htm 
The form will be transmitted to professor Mae-Wan Ho.

At the website http://home1.swipnet.se/~w-18472/indexeng.htm ,
where the form is published, you will also find information about 
various problems and hazards especially with genetically engineered 
food. It also provides links to many other relevant websites.

3. Mail the E-mail form mentioned in #1 to the following address:

Professor Mae-Wan Ho, 
Biology Department, 
Open University 
Walton Hall, 
Milton Keynes, 
MK7 6AA
UK