In a different direction on different sort of biotech company, I thought this news would be of interest to the group... Jason
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Tuesday October 5 12:11 AM ET
Green Group Welcomes Monsanto 'Terminator' Move
LONDON (Reuters) - Environmental group Friends of the Earth Monday
welcomed U.S. biotechnology group Monsanto Co's (NYSE:MCT - news)
decision not to develop a so-called ``terminator' gene which would sterilize seeds
used by farmers.
In an October 4 letter to the Rockefeller Foundation, obtained by Reuters, Monsanto Chairman Robert
Shapiro said the company had decided not to develop the gene after seeking comment from the foundation
and other groups.
``This is a good first step,' Charles Secrett, director of Friends of the Earth, told Reuters.
``But Monsanto still needs to understand the depth of public opposition to GM (genetically modified) foods
and the need for a halt in the rush to introduce it until the science is completed, the regulations are in place and
the necessary public debate has been had.'
Friends of the Earth and other environmental groups in Britain strongly oppose Monsanto's testing of
genetically modified crops, fearing natural cross-pollination will spread the new genes into conventional
cultivation.
Leading British retailers have responded to anxiety over genetically modified organisms, dubbed
``Frankenstein foods' by the media, by removing GM products from their shelves.
Critics of the biotech crops say there is not enough research to conclude the crops are safe for the
environment and for human consumption.
The ``terminator' technology, which Monsanto said was still several years away from commercial production,
would prevent plants from producing fertile seeds, forcing farmers to buy more seed from the supplier rather
than using seed from the previous year's crop.
Critics contended use of the gene would hurt farmers in developing countries.
St Louis-based Monsanto does not yet have the ``terminator' gene technology, but would gain access to it
through its long-planned acquisition of cotton seed breeder Delta and Pine Land Co., which is awaiting
regulatory approval. |
