The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #31 on Resolution A013 (Study Genetically Modified Food Crops) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution

(A013)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention seek to inform the Church of the issues surrounding the development of genetically engineered crop plants and the patenting of genetically modified organisms (GMOs); by charging the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, the Standing Commission on Health, the Executive Council Committee on Science, Technology and Faith, the Standing Commission on Social Justice and Public Policy, and other CCABs deemed relevant, to jointly study those issues and report to the 78th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That in commissioning such study, the 77th General Convention intend to empower the 78th General Convention to take action toward developing policy that will allow the Office of Government Relations to address these issues as they relate to Congressional farm bills and other federal policy or legislation; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention seek to empower with information those organizations of The Episcopal Church that strive to address equity and social justice in matters such as global economic development, the environment, sustainable agriculture, health, and nutrition; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention encourage individual Episcopalians seek to undertake study about GMOs and reflection upon the theology and stewardship of creation; to learn about the influence both domestic and globally of GMOs upon agriculture, economic development, the environment, alleviation of hunger, and biodiversity.

Committee Substitute

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention seek to inform the Church of the issues surrounding the development of genetically engineered crop plants and the patenting of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by requesting that the Presiding Bishop, in consultation with the President of the House of Deputies, establish a volunteer task force consisting of fifteen members including scientists, ethicists, advocates, clergy, farmers, advisors on population health, and others active in agriculture and development, with the charge to study and report recommendations to Executive Council and to the 78th General Convention to help guide church public policy advocacy concerning genetically modified crops and organisms, recommendations that weigh the following factors as well as others deemed critical by the task force:

a) food security, biodiversity, and sustainability of yields;

b) environmental degredation, including levels of pesticide usage;

c) health, nutrition and disease, including potential creation of new plant, animal and human pathogens; and

d) potential monopolization and trade inequities; and be it further

Resolved, That in commissioning such study, the 77th General Convention intend to empower the 78th General Convention to take action toward developing policy that will allow the Office of Government Relations to address these issues as they relate to Congressional farm bills and other federal policy or legislation; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention seek to empower with information those organizations of The Episcopal Church that strive to address equity and social justice in matters such as global economic development, the environment, sustainable agriculture, health, and nutrition; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention encourage individual Episcopalians to seek to undertake study about GMOs and reflection upon the theology and stewardship of creation; to learn about the influence both domestic and globally of GMOs upon agriculture, economic development, the environment, alleviation of hunger, and biodiversity.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #201)