Manipulation of human genes creates new threats to the health of individuals and their offspring, and endangers human rights, privacy, and dignity. Genes, other constituents of life, and genetically modified organisms themselves are rapidly being patented and turned into objects of commerce. This commercialization of life is veiled behind promises to cure disease and feed the hungry. People everywhere have the right to participate in evaluating the social and biological implications of the genetic revolution and in democratically guiding its applications. To protect our human rights and integrity and the biological integrity of the Earth, we, therefore, propose this Genetic Bill of Rights.
All people have the right to preservation of the Earth s biological and genetic diversity.
All people have the right to a world in which living organisms cannot be patented, including human beings, animals, plants, microorganisms, and all their parts. All people have the right to a food supply that has not been genetically engineered. All indigenous peoples have the right to manage their own biological resources, to preserve their traditional knowledge, and to protect these from expropriation and biopiracy by scientific, corporate, or government interests. All people have the right to protection from toxins, other contaminants, or actions that can harm their genetic makeup and that of their offspring. All people have the right to protection against eugenic measures such as forced sterilization or mandatory screening aimed at aborting or manipulating selected embryos or fetuses.