The World is not my Village: 2nd Part
5. December 2007, 19:00 - 23:00
The World is Not My Village: 2nd Part
From Genfood and Designerbabies – how dangerous is genetical modification, really? Sprachenatelier is hosting an evening of film and discussion, in cooperation with the Genetically Ethical Network, Berlin (GeN). We will be presenting the film „Life, Out of Control“ by Bertram Verhaag and Gabriele Kröber.
In the middle of the 1980's science finds the key to Genetic Technology, finding yet another way to control nature and the world. Suddenly, everthing seemed possible! 20 years later, we are embarking on a journey around the world to discover the extent of genetic manipulation in plants, animals and people. Because of a catastrophic harvest of genetically modified cotton, many Indian farmers are facing ruin, selling their kidneys or commiting suicide. In Canada, incredibly modified rapeseeds blow on the fields of neighbouring bio-farms, making ecological cultivation impossible. The Icelandic parliament is collecting the genetic information of its citizens through a private organisation, who sell these details on to pharmaceutical and insurance companies. This project has been called a “Vampire project" by the 700 groups of people who are dying out as a result of the many screening samples and blood, hair and saliva sampling. The genetic samples disappear into laboratories of the industries to enable valuable patents.
The film „Life, Out of Control“ was recognised by 21 festivals world wide and awarded 8 international prizes, including a nomination for the IDA Award of the International Documentary Association 2004, Los Angeles / USA and the 1st prize, the Carmo Bernardes Trophy 2004, Goias / Brazil
At the end of the film. We will be discussing with Christof Potthof from the Genetically Ethical Network, Berlin (GeN), about whether the genetically modified plants really are threatening our health; which role genetic technology should play in the context of globalisation and argriculture; what biopiracy actually means; which ethical questions and dangers exist as a result of genetic manipulation in humans and animals and which gigantic economic benefits and interests exist around the subject.
It will take place every three weeks (Wednesday at 19:00), when we will be showing films and hosting an open forum for those who are interested in themes such as globalisation, migration, environment with a focus on people and their worlds.
If you are interested, please let us know at: mail@sprachenatelier-berlin.de (Kontact Person: Musa Aktas)
This event is free.