For over a decade Columbans globally have voiced their concerns regarding Genetic Modification of seeds and food. In 2004 Columban Fr Sean McDonagh expressed his concern to the Vatican for its then support of GMOs, stating that patenting of organisms ‘hands over control of the staple foods of the world in the hands of a few wealthy corporations’, adding that ‘this is a recipe for hunger, malnutrition, famine and death’.
The Australian Columban production, ‘Unjust Genes- Life and Death for Sale’ discusses the implications of genetic engineering of food. These include ‘the use of patenting laws to impose control, robbing poorer nations of their genetic riches and rights over the seeds they have bred and the assault on biodiversity with introducing a ‘terminator gene’ to make plants sterile’. 
In 2003, the Columban Peace, Ecology and Justice (PEJ) Centre wrote a letter to the President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Cardinal Renato Martino, stating that ‘the push for GM crops by a small number of powerful countries and companies is driven more by financial profit than a desire to feed the hungry’, instead referring to poverty and inequality as the main proponent of hunger in developing countries.
In 2005 Cardinal Renato Martino spoke about GM foods as a solution to world hunger and was frequently quoted in articles voicing his support for GM technology. At this time, prominent GM lobby groups representing the interests of transnational corporations like Monsanto were distributing information to the Vatican that GM food was a solution to world hunger. The Vatican was quoted as declaring GM food a ‘blessing’ framed in the context of feeding the world's hungry. It collaborated with US proponents in holding a conference promoting this agenda.
This public support of GM foods was the subject of concern for bishops around the world, particularly in countries where poverty and hunger were high. This was also a concern for many farmers in Australia whose productivity and livelihoods could potentially be threatened by seed and crop patents and pollution of their crops by wind-blown GM. At that time, the PEJ Centre supported the moratoria placed on GM crops in various states. We also supported farmers who struggled against the introduction of GM crops into the Australian food production system.
In 2009, the Columban Mission Institute wrote again to the President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Renato Cardinal Martino, to formally register opposition to ‘any endorsement of genetically modified crops and foods by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences’. The letter stated:
We believe that the introduction of GM crops and foodstuffs on the pretext of feeding the hungry is wrong. It raises serious moral, spiritual and environmental issues and puts the control of food resources in the hands of profit-driven corporations.
PEJ members pointed to real solutions to hunger and sustainable development such as the ‘Organic Agriculture and Food Security in Africa’ report published by UNEP and suggested the Pontifical Academy of Sciences disseminate knowledge about these alternatives instead of GM food. Over the years, the Vatican has delivered mixed messages of both support and concern regarding the issue of GM food. Recently, Pope Francis’ touched on the issue in the third chapter of his encyclical, Laudato Si - On the Care of our Common Home’. (#131 - #135).
Whilst Pope Francis warns of negative effects of genetic modifications, he also commends technological innovation. In Laudato Si’, Francis allows substantial room for interpretation in the statement that ‘human intervention on plants and animals is permissible when it pertains to the necessities of human life’ (#130), and also points out that ‘neither should those who possess particular gifts for the advancement of science and technology be prevented from using their God-given talents for the service of others’ (#131).
Francis’ statement that ‘we need constantly to rethink the goals, effects, overall context and ethical limits of this human activity, which is a form of power involving considerable risks’, (#131) is one that should be emphasized, particularly when considering corporate monopolies, the ability of local communities to cultivate crops sustainably without being forced to purchase patented seeds, and the ethics of a profit-driven agenda masked by the motive of feeding the world’s poor.
The statement reflects the need for the precautionary principle being applied and the need for all concerned, both directly and indirectly, to be part of the discussions. This raises the question that in Australia, the approval of GM food products by FSANZ (Food Standards Australia and New Zealand) is, according to MADGE, based largely on information provided by the manufacturers, eg. Monsanto and Dow. We welcome the call for ‘a broad, responsible scientific and social debate’ (#135.) on the issue, but particularly one that is based on the ethical application of science and removed from motives of greed and profit.
The Columban Centre for Peace, Ecology and Justice will continue to collaborate to spread awareness of the ethics associated with GM processes and promote biodiversity and real solutions to sustainable development and hunger alleviation.
Article by Hannah Cifuentes, Assistant Network Coordinator at the Columban Centre for Peace, Ecology and Justice.
Further information and resources:
MADGE website: www.madge.org.au
DVD for Sale: 'Unjust Genes - Life and Death'