The Action Group on Erosion, Technology, and Concentration (ETC) is an international organization dedicated to "the conservation and sustainable advancement of cultural and ecological diversity and human rights." 'ETC' is intended to be pronounced "et cetera."[1][2] ETC frequently publishes opinions on scientific research by its staff and board members, covering topics such as community and regional planning, ecology and evolutionary biology, and political science.[3]
The ETC Group, until September 1, 2001 known as Rural Advancement Foundation International ([RAFI])[4] has roots tracing back to the National Sharecroppers Fund[5] established during the 1930s. The Fund, initiated by Eleanor Roosevelt and others, aimed to alleviate the challenges faced by predominantly black tenant farmers in the United States.
In the early 1970s, Pat Mooney, Hope Shand, and Cary Fowler initiated work on seed-related issues under the auspices of the Rural Advancement Foundation. Over time, they established an international branch focused on advocating for farmers' rights in the global south.
In order to secure nonprofit status in the United States, RAFI conducted a name change contest on their website in early 2001, eventually selecting the name ETC Group (etcetera) after considering numerous suggestions from the public.[6]
Geoengineering
The organization has been an active voice against geoengineering, as highlighted through their "Hands off Mother Earth!" campaign, which was launched in April 2010. In October 2010, they published a detailed report titled "Geopiracy: The Case Against Geoengineering," which examined various dimensions of geoengineering. The report covered proposed technologies, governance frameworks, key stakeholders in the geoengineering field, and the involvement and interests of military forces and corporations.
Diana Bronson, a spokesperson for the ETC Group, argued that global warming was largely caused by the actions of the scientific, corporate, and political elites in developed nations. She expressed concerns about entrusting these same entities to resolve the climate crisis and protect the biosphere, highlighting her skepticism regarding their motivations and effectiveness in addressing environmental issues. The organization continues to advocate for sustainable and community-led solutions, warning against quick technological fixes that may have long-term consequences.[7]
Synthetic biology
The ETC Group actively advocates for increased regulation within the emerging scientific domain of synthetic biology, which they characterize as "extreme genetic engineering."[8] The group's primary concerns regarding this field encompass issues related to corporate involvement as well as potential threats to biosafety and biosecurity. They have sought to raise public awareness and understanding of synthetic biology through the creation and dissemination of comic-style illustrations concerning "Synthia," the cell with the first synthetic genome, engineered by Craig Venter and the J. Craig Venter Institute.[9] Another illustration, titled "The Story of Synthia," was later released as a small video clip.[10]
On December 16, 2010, the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues issued a report recommending self-regulation by synthetic biologists, asserting that the fledgling technology posed minimal risks to society.[11] This recommendation faced strong opposition from Jim Thomas of the ETC Group, who characterized the commission's suggestions as "disappointingly empty and timid."[11] The ETC Group aligned with more than 50 environmental organizations, urging a moratorium on synthetic biology through a letter to government officials. They labeled the commission's conclusions as "irresponsible and dangerous," contending that "self-regulation amounts to no regulation."[11]
On January 23, 2012, UC Berkeley's Richmond Field Station was selected as the site for the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's secondary campus.[12] In a press conference addressing concerns about synthetic biology at local, national, and international levels, a panel comprising five members, including Jim Thomas of the ETC Group, highlighted the risks associated with synthetic biology.[12] The panel criticized the laboratory's affiliation with UC Berkeley as a superficial endorsement for an inadequately regulated industry with potentially perilous consequences. Additionally, Thomas characterized the industry as a "1.6 billion dollar industry" akin to "genetic engineering on steroids."[12]
