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GE - Apologies for lack of emails

Apologies to all those who have been thinking that we have removed them from
the email list!
We have had to have a few days break. 

The problem was been that we took a laptop down to the Devon court case in the
hope of continuing uninterrupted with the info lists while there. However -
things did not go exactly to plan and the nice new modem that we got
especially
for the job, did not want to send out any emails at all. As things in Devon
were slightly hectic (with the good news re: the charges against myself and
Liz
being dropped for pulling up the GE maize) we did not get a chance to sort the
modem out. 

But things should get back to 'normal' now so please bear with us and do bear
in mind that  this email service takes and the rest of GEN's work takes a
couple of people a lot of time and energy and is a totally free service. We
may
be volunteers but we will try to give you the best service that we can with
the
extremely few resources available to us. If you can afford it GEN would love
any contributions to to keep it going for as long as possible - especially if
you are a group or journalist that can add the donation to the expense
account!

This might also be a good time to explain to those who do not already know
exactly who GEN are and about the email lists and how they came about. 

thanks for your patience,
Jacklyn


Why was the Genetic Engineering Network set up?
Genetic Engineering is now a hot topic within campaigning circles throughout
the UK and indeed world-wide. One of the most exciting things about the wider
campaign against genetic engineering is the number of groups active on varying
levels. While some groups are working on the animal welfare side of genetic
engineering, others are working on the patenting of life. Some want complete
bans, some the labelling of GE products and others moratoriums, while others
are simply concentrating on raising public awareness. 
It became apparent that all these groups needed to establish some common
ground
and exchange information in order to be as effective as possible. The other
need was for information to get out to the general public in order to inform
and enable them to become actively involved. The Genetic Engineering Network
(GEN) was set up in early 1997 to achieve these aims and exists as a clearing
house for information.

Who is the Genetic Engineering Network?
Groups already actively exchanging information within the network include:
Earth First!,  genetiX snowball, Genetix Food Alert, Green Party, Friends of
the Earth, Greenpeace, Women’s Environmental Network and Gaia Foundation, as
well as whole-food groups, organic farmers and the numerous local groups and
individuals that are springing up around the UK in opposition to genetic
engineering. If you are interested in becoming part of this informal network
please contact us. We are also happy to help with new groups setting up and
will put people in contact with others in their area if requested

What does GEN do?
To help facilitate exchange between groups within GEN we hold monthly meetings
in London, produce a bi- monthly Genetix Update newsletter and run an email
information service. We now have an office to deal with the ever increasing
demand for information, as well as a press database so that we are in are able
to send out press releases both on request from local groups as well as
general
GEN press releases. Rather than deal with all the press and public enquiries
ourselves we instead guide media wherever possible to groups or individuals
that we feel would be most appropriate for the enquiry. There are also local
meetings taking place on a regular basis around the country.

What is the genetics email information list?
Now known as the GEN info lists, the service redistributes the latest press
coverage and general information on the subject of genetic engineering to a
wide range of subscribers. They include scientists, campaigners, members of
the
public, publications, journalists and biotechnology companies from around the
world. ‘List 1’ is very heavy traffic averaging 5 emails a day. There is a
less
busy ‘List 2’ that only receives Genetix Update newsletter each month as well
as action alerts and other peoples newsletters on the subject of genetic
engineering. The address to subscribe to either list is:
<genetics@gn.apc.org>.
Please specify which list you would prefer.

What is the Genetix Update?
The Genetix Update is an eight page bi-monthly newsletter. It summarises the
main developments on the very broad subject of genetic engineering from the
previous month, as well as reporting on direct action against genetic
engineering. It is aimed at concerned members of the public as well as
campaigning groups. It is a means to inform and inspire people to become
active
in the campaign and keep those already active abreast of the latest
developments. Most of the information comes from contributions to the email
information list and is then edited into succinct factual articles along with
diary dates, contact numbers and action ideas wherever possible. The
newsletter
is then distributed to the GEN database, whole-food shops, public debates and
discussions and information stalls as well as being distributed electronically
via the email information lists. 

**The Genetix Update and the email lists are produced and run entirely by
unpaid volunteers as are all GEN services. We have no regular funding. It is
very important to GEN that both the newsletter and the email service stay free
to those with little income. To continue in this way we request a £5 suggested
donation from anyone that may be able to afford it.  Cheques & postal
orders to
be made payable to: 
GENETIC ENGINEERING NETWORK
PO Box 9656
London
N4 4JY
Tel. 0181 374 9516
genetics@gn.apc.org