Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : Monsanto Co. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dan Spillane who wrote (1431)	3/2/1999 11:07:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2539

BBC: GM pollen warning Tuesday, March 2, 1999 Published at 12:55 GMT The report has added to the dispute over GM foods Controls to protect crops from cross-pollination by genetically-modified (GM) plants may be seriously inadequate, new research claims. Dr Jean Emberlin, Director of the National Pollen Research Unit, has produced evidence to show that pollen from maize can be dispersed over much greater distances than has been accepted by government scientists. At present, a 200-metre "exclusion zone" is set up around a GM maize crop undergoing trials and is considered a sufficient barrier to prevent cross-contamination of ordinary maize crops or sweet corn. But, Dr Emberlin, whose research was commissioned by the Soil Association, says bees or strong winds will take the pollen much further. She believes the government should now stop the controversial large-scale cultivation of GM crops, which is planned to start in a matter of weeks. Environment Minister Michael Meacher told BBC Radio that he accepted there could be a contamination risk of around 1% at 200m under moderate speed wind conditions. But he said the 200-barrier should be sufficient to ensure the purity of nearby crops. It was based on many years of research and recognised as adequate by the European Commission, the Origination for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the US authorities. "If it is necessary and right to revise the criteria by which we assess the likelihood of cross-pollination, we will do so," he said. Once again, he stressed the government's line on GM crops: "We are not going to allow commercial planting of GM crops until we are sure that we have the evidence to guarantee that there will be no damage to the environment - or indeed to human health." Political pressure Concerns over genetically-modified food in the last month have put the government under pressure to halt development until further tests are carried out. The Soil Association, which promotes organic food and is opposed to genetic engineering, asked Dr Emberlin to undertake this latest research after the government's refusal last summer to order the destruction of a GM maize crop bordering an organic farm in Devon. The government's Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (Acre) maintained there was little or no risk of cross-pollination. But Craig Samms, of the Soil Association, says the new report does indicate a real risk to farmers growing GM free crops as well as the consumers who believe they are buying organic produce. "Nobody knows what the risk is to people because this technology has been introduced without any of the normal checks you would expect. "Genetic engineering in medicine is subjected to strict containment rules," Mr Samms added, "But here you have a technology that is just being planted in the countryside with no real idea of what the implications are". 'Disingenuous' "The lack of acknowledgement of potential pollen spread concerns me," Dr Emberlin said. "Once the pollen is out there it is very difficult to redress the situation. I don't think it would be wise to go ahead with large-scale planting of GM crops without knowing more about the possible repercussions." A statement from the Department of Environment released before Mr Meacher's radio interview rejected as "disingenuous" the suggestion that bees are a major factor in maize pollination in the UK. "The issue of bees carrying maize pollen is a smokescreen to cast doubt on the competence and quality of Acre's advice," the statement read. Liberal Democrat food spokesman Paul Tyler and environment spokesman Norman Baker welcomed the report. "This report gives the lie to the dismissive attitude of both Conservative and Labour ministers. It is now clear that the risk is far greater than they have told us," they said in a joint statement. Pete Riley, senior food campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: "This new report highlights once again the appalling advice that the government has received on GM crops." The report is published two weeks after a US biotechnology company, Monsanto, was fined £17,000 for breaking GM crop test site safety rules. The firm had failed to maintain a six metre-wide barrier around a plot of genetically-modified oil seed rape in Lincolnshire. news.bbc.co.uk

To: Dan Spillane who wrote (1431)	3/2/1999 11:13:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 2539

UK Consumers demand GM food label reforms BBC News Tuesday, March 2, 1999 Published at 14:51 GMT Consumer groups say current labelling laws are inadequate The Consumers' Association has called on the government to improve the way genetically-modified food is labelled. A survey shows that many people want all packaging to say whether food has been genetically-modified in any way. Research for Which? magazine conducted by the Consumers' Association investigated 32 common foodstuffs, both supermarket own label and well-known brands, which were not labelled as containing any GM ingredients. Eight of the samples contained soya and maize that were guaranteed GM free but all of the other 24 could contain GM products even though they are not required to state this on the label. The association wants to ensure that shoppers who do not wish to consume GM foods are given an alternative and the freedom and information to choose. 'In the dark' Which? Editor Helen Parker said: "There are so many loopholes and exemptions that, even if the current labelling laws were fully enforced, consumers would still be left in the dark." The association launched its campaign to put pressure on Agriculture Minister Nick Brown for more rigid labelling rules by unveiling a billboard opposite his Whitehall office declaring: "Isn't it time labelling was modified too?" A European Union regulation, introduced in September last year, means that GM ingredients only have to be labelled if they contain determinable levels of protein or DNA. However, other soya-derived ingredients such as lecithin, commonly used in the manufacture of chocolate bars and cakes, do not have to be labelled along with other GM ingredients which contain no protein or DNA. Children's food The research showed that the makers of eight of the products, including Kellogg's Cornflakes and Heinz Rice Pudding for children used GM-free sources of soya and maize. But the other 24 products remained under suspicion of containing ingredients derived from GM sources. A poll of 2,000 people carried out by the consumer group showed that support for more stringent labelling laws was overwhelming. Some 94% of those questioned said they wanted to see any ingredients which had been modified in any way clearly labelled. In addition, 92% said they wanted to see labelling regulations widened to include all processed GM derivatives, even though that could not be detected in the final product on supermarket shelves. news.bbc.co.uk