GENETIX ALERT - NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 14, 1999
Contact: [REMOVED]

UNDERGROUND GROUP ATTACKS UCB GENETIC ENGINEERING TEST SITE
An underground group destroyed corn and left a mocking sign and organic
seeds at UC Berkeley Oxford Test Track research facility on Tuesday
morning according to an anonymous communique released today.
In the second known anti-genetic engineering action this week, the group
calling itself Reclaim the Seeds carved a "crop circle of conscience" in
the corn test field, scattered organic corn seeds in its place and posted a
sign mocking Berkeley's own $10,000 reward for previous attacks against their
research corn.

"We are not going to demand anything," stated the communique. "We are
not going to ask for anything. We are going to RECLAIM THE SEEDS. We are
going to stop genetic mutilation."

This strike comes on the heels of announced plans of biotech opponents
to file antitrust lawsuits in 30 countries to block major life-science
companies from using genetic engineering to gain control of world
agriculture. The heroic action by Reclaim the Seeds is part of a growing worldwide
rejection of genetically engineered (GE) crops and of the handful of
transnational corporations like Monsanto, Novartis and DuPont which are
attempting to manipulate the future of the world's agriculture and food
supply in order to bolster their own profits. In the last year there
have been over forty acts of crop destruction in Great Britain, others in
India and at least six such actions in the US since the spring-two in
California in late July and one each in Vermont and Maine in August and two this
month in Minnesota.

Destruction of genetically engineered (known as genetically modified in
other countries) crops has become so frequent in Europe that farmers are
refusing to plant them since so many crops are being destroyed. Hundreds
of ordinary citizens have joined in the destruction of genetically
engineered crops throughout Europe. This summer, Lord Melchett, former minister of
labor and current executive director of Greenpeace, was arrested along
with 19 others for destroying a field of genetically engineered corn just
before it was ready to spread GE-contaminated pollen.

GE crops have been linked to genetic pollution, creation of new viruses
and bacteria, damage to beneficial insects, increased pesticide use and the
creation of "superpests." As such, genetically engineered crops are a
clear threat to the environment as well as to animal and human health.
According to research released earlier this year, GE potatoes were shown to damage
vital organs and compromise the immune systems of rats. In another study
conducted at Cornell University this year, pollen released from GE corn
was lethal to Monarch butterflies.

Details of past anti-GE actions are available by contacting ban@tao.ca.
Genetix Alert is an independent news center which works with other
above-ground, anti-genetic engineering organizations. GA has no
knowledge of the person(s) who carryout any underground actions. GA does not
advocate illegal acts, but seeks to explain why people destroy genetically
engineered crops and undertake other nonviolent actions aimed at resisting genetic
engineering and increasing the difficulty for entities which seek to
advance genetic engineering or its products. GA spokespeople are available for
media interviews.