In the mid-eighties science, with the help of genetic technology, finds the key to mastering the earth and especially its creatures. Twenty years later we embark on a journey to explore the progressive and continual genetic manipulation of plants, animals and human beings.

Successful screened on 22 FESTIVALS worldwide and
from 8 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS HIGH AWARDED, among:

”Nominee for IDA Award”International Documentary Association
IDA’s 20^th Annual Awards Competition 2004, Los Angeles / USA

”1.Price for best long production  (The Carmo Bernardes trophy)”
6^th FICA – International Environmental Film Festival 2004, Goias / Brazil

”Golden Lynx for the best journalistic achievement”
Ökomedia – 21. International Environmental Film Festival 2004, Freiburg / Germany

THE PRESS:

THE BUSINESS WITH GENES

”LIFE RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL” is an alarming film, yet one that is well worth seeing. For it teaches us that consumers need to be very concerned about the future, when politicians and corporations are only able to think short-term.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MADE BY MICHAEL MOORE:

“Life Running out of Control“
Verhaag, whose political films are known for their unequivocal stance... wants to turn the ”David” of disoriented consumers into a ”Goliath” of furious customers who can influence the products offered by their buying patterns

“LIFE RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL - GENE FOOD UND DESIGNERBABIES“


Synopsis:

The Icelandic parliament sells the entire pool of genes of its population to a private company that, in turn, intends to turn over the data at a profit to the pharmaceutical industry and insurance companies.

In the mid-eighties science, with the help of genetic technology, finds the key to mastering the earth and especially its creatures. Suddenly, everything seems possible!

Twenty years later we embark on a global journey to explore the progressive and continual genetic manipulation of plants, animals and human beings:
Due to a disastrous crop with genetically modified cotton many Indian farmers face ruin, have to sell one of their kidneys or resort to committing suicide.
In Canada genetically modified canola seeds blow onto the fields of neighbouring organic farms, thus making ecological farming impossible.

A research project is designated as ”vampire project” in which blood, hair and saliva samples are taken from 700 so-called ethnic groups on the verge of extinction on the pretext of preventive health. The gene samples wander into the laboratories of industry to provide the basis for valuable patents.

Worldwide only a handful of idealistic scientists are defying industry, doing independent – without the financial support of industry – research on the effects of transgenic animals and plants on the environment and our health when we consume genetically modified food.


Short content:

In the mid-eighties science, with the help of genetic technology, finds the key to mastering the earth and especially its creatures. Suddenly everything seems possible!

Twenty years later we embark on a journey to explore the progressive and continual genetic manipulation of plants, animals and human beings.

World wide only a handful of idealistic scientists are defying industry.

BUCH UND REGIE: Bertram Verhaag • KAMERA: Gerardo Milsztein bvk, Stefan Schindler FILMEDITOR: Gabriele Kröber BFS • MUSIK: Michael Bauer • TON: Zoltan Ravasz VDT, Michael Busch VDT • POSTPRODUKTION: Westend Film & TV Produktion • REDAKTION: Gudrun Hanke- El Ghomri, SWR / Ulle Schröder, ARTE • PRODUZENTEN: Michel Morales, Bertram Verhaag