De a r Ci t i z e n ,

2 / 1 4 / 8 9
As you know, the Lhiversity of Vermont has proposed to build
the $17.mi l l i on Stafford Bi otechnol ogy Research Center, a faci l i ty
which will expand UVTvl's genetic engineering research. The Burlington
Greens are opposed t o const ruct i on of t he St aff ord Cent er because we
have many concerns for the ethics, safety, and applications of this
new t echnol ogy. Whet her our soci et y i s equi pped t o handl e t hi s bol d
new t echnol ogy responsi bl y, we f eel , was answered when Monsant o, wi t h
UVM hel p, devel oped t he Bovi ne Growt h Hormone. The St aff ord shoul d
be stopped until we recive formal assurances that UVM will not engineer
genes in this facility. Ihe proliferation of genetic engineering must
b e h a l t e d .
We invite you to discuss with us a coalition carrpaign to stop the
St aff ord Cent er. I n addi t i on t o opposi ng t he f aci l i t y bef ore st at e and
local regulatory agencies, we could organizeeducational public forums
so that an informed citizenry could decide this issue democratically.
Thus we could bring the issue to a referendum decision. We want to halt
genteic engineering, and we demand the democratic forums to air and decide
t hese uni qul ey i npor t ant comnuni t y i ssues.
The Greens invite you to help for, an organized opposotion to the
proposed Stafford Center. A meeting will be held February 26, in City
H a l l ' s r s t o o r c o n f e r n c e r o o m, a t 7 : 0 0 P V l . T h e r e w e w i l l d i s c u s s
the issues and formulate a collective strategy. We hope you can attend.
Si n c e r e l y,
t he Bur l i ngt on Gr eens
For more information call Danny Fisher at 864-4071.