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

To: Professor Dotcomm who wrote (1867)	3/31/1999 12:01:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 2539

Scientists broker for genetic food manipulation Australian Broadcasting News Wednesday 31 March, 1999 (3:55pm AEST) A forum of genetic scientists has been told they have to act as the honest broker in selling the benefits of genetic manipulation of food to the public. The forum, run by the Australian Academy of Science, also heard consumers wanted more information and confidence there was an independent safety authority. Food industry speakers told scientists that genetic modification, like insecticide resistance in a plant or vitamain or flavour improvement of a fruit, have benefits, ranging from higher yields to better nutrition. But Australian Food and Grocery Council chief Mitch Hooke says scientists cannot be oblivious to health, environmental and moral concerns. He says they must communicate in lay language on the application and implications of genetic technology. He warned the food industry would not fly in the face of consumers - no matter how confused they might be. Office Shadow Minister for Agriculture Gavan O'Connor has called on the Federal Government to deliver on its commitment to establish a Gene Technology Office. The plan, announced in 1997, would see the office administer a national regulatory system to ensure scientific analysis and risk assessments are done before genetically modified organisms are released. Foods containing Monsanto's pesticide resistant soybeans and pest resistant cotton have been approved for use in foods. Other foods containing genetically modified organisms are staying on the market after Health Ministers granted an extension to allow companies to put in safety applications. abc.net.au

To: Professor Dotcomm who wrote (1867)	3/31/1999 12:27:00 PM
From: Dan Spillane	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 2539

Ahhhhhh. You need to look at the political side of this to understand what is going on. There have indeed been supporting comments on aspartame over many years from the FDA. I think one reason it has not been an issue internationally is that aspartame is not a trade "hot button" issue, since there aren't foreign products which have needed to compete with it, and therefore we have no foreign political action groups around to start terror campaigns. Also, aspartame is not a farming or agricultural trade product...which have historically been hot buttons. Moreover, soda with aspartame is labeled as such, which no doubt pleases the Europeans. On the trade issues of milk, beef, and ag plants, the political groups in Europe have keyed on a theme of "evil US company feeds us capitalist food, but doesn't tell us"...unfortunately, aspartame doesn't fit this model since it is labeled. Did you know there are "food terror" laws in the United States? These were put in place some time ago, having nothing to do with Monsanto. You said: Aspartame has certainly had its share of bad press over the last ten years. But why is it that there has been no comment from the FDA and other similar bodies in Western Canada and Europe - or even the WHO? Is there another side to this? Anyway it was a thought provoking argument and thanks for the posting.