MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2002

Activists plan to challenge the biotech industry's annual convention

What: Activists will gather in the city of Toronto to participate in the "bioJUSTICE-bioDIVERSITY 2002" 6th International Grassroots Gathering on Genetic Engineering.

Who: This event is sponsored by the Polaris Institute, the Institute for Social Ecology (USA), the BIOdevastation Toronto Coalition, and the Council of Canadians.

Why: The aim is to challenge the biotech industry's agenda and vision for our future and to broaden the biojustice movement. Activists, academics, scientists, farmers, and ordinary citizens from Canada and the United States will learn, strategize, take action, and network about genetic engineering in agriculture and medicine, biowarfare, genetic and non-genetic discrimination, international trade, corporate exploitation, science for the public good, intellectual property, and more.

When and where: This conference will be held just before the biotech industry's annual international convention, BIO 2002, which will also take place in Toronto.

The bioJUSTICE/bioDIVERSITY 2002 program will include:

Public Forum: A biotech future? Exposing the truth
Friday, June 7, 2002
St-Lawrence Centre, 27 Front Street, E., Toronto
7:30pm to 10:00pm

A day of workshops exploring a variety of topics
Saturday, June 8, 2002
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)
252 Bloor Street, West, Toronto
8:30pm to 5:00pm

Panel Discussion: Biowarfare - is the biotech industry fuelling a new arms race?
Saturday, June 8, 2002
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)
252 Bloor Street, West, Toronto
7:00pm to 10:00pm

A festival of alternatives: bioDIVERSITY GMO-free picnic
Sunday, June 9, 2002
Grange Park, Toronto
12:00pm to 4:00pm

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