We continue looking at developments in issues on which we have worked over the years. This month it’s Genetically Modified (GM) food and Climate Change. The two issues are related. Rapid human- induced climate change is a symptom of our human failure to live in right relationship with all of God’s creation. The push for GM food, driven by large corporations whose motivation is market domination, is now being promoted as a solution to food shortages caused by climate change. 
The concern of the Columbans over GM food first arose when laws were introduced to allow the patenting of GM seeds. Fr Sean McDonagh, out of his experience with rural people in the Philippines, began writing as far back as 1999 on “Ethics and Genetic Engineering” in his book “Greening the Christian Millennium”. His reason was that Genetic Modification of food is about how GM food is produced, who controls the process, negative impacts on the environment and loss of biodiversity.
The Vatican and GM Food looks at how the Vatican continues to be pressured by the powerful GM lobby to endorse GM food. The pressure on all governments is also relentless. As we speak, a Bill was put before the Australian Parliament to try to reduce the regulation of new GM food technologies. We urge our readers to write a brief submission by Nov 5th as per the suggestions in the Take Action section.
In 2007, the causes and effects of human- induced climate change were of such concern to Columbans that they published a collection of papers and reports called “Climate Change: the agenda for mission today”. Currently our focus is encapsulated in the Columban Climate Change policy with much of our work listed on the Columban website, especially under the heading "Resources to Support Laudato Si". This month we include excerpts from that policy. Again we encourage you to take action by joining the Global Climate March just prior to the COP 21 Meeting in Paris in December.
Read more from the latest Columban eConnections