History of WashBAC
WashBAC was formed in the spring of 1990, by people
with concerns over the use of recombinant bovine growth hormone
in Washington dairy herds. It rapidly expanded its programs to
encompass issues of human genetic discrimination, DNA identification
databanks, environmental release of genetically engineered organisms,
state subsidies to the biotech industry, and the operation of
relevant state agencies (particularly Washington State University,
the land-grant college). For details on its activities see State
Involvement and International and National
Involvement.
For many years, meetings were held
approximately monthly. With the growth of computer communications
and the Internet, meetings are now held at irregular intervals when
face-to-face communication is seen as preferable to electronic
interaction, or in conjunction with social activities (e.g., dinners
with visiting notables, etc.). The organization has passed resolutions/
adopted positions on numerous issues regarding genetically engineered
foods and labeling, participated in US regulatory agency proceedings
on food—e.g., the USDA definitions for the “organic”
categorization, the lawsuit against the FDA to require labeling
and safety testing of GE foods, and numerous letters to agency
officials (some in conjunction with other NGOs).
Since 1995, WashBAC has raised money to send activist academics to international
biotech meetings in order to advocate citizens' perspectives. See International and National
Involvement for these listings.
