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The Edmonton Journal
Fri 31 Mar 2000

Modified-food policy hypocritical

The federal government has repeatedly denied it has a conflict of interest on
the issue of genetically modified foods, even though its agencies are
responsible for both promoting and ensuring the safety of such products.

Its own scientists have said the government doesn't have sufficient resources
to adequately test such foods and therefore can't confidently endorse them.
Just last month, the government appointed an independent panel of experts to
research the issues around biotechnology and genetically modified foods and
make policy recommendations.

Now we find out the government is buying advertising supplements in two large
consumer magazines, Canadian Living and the French-language Coup de Pouce, to
promote the use of genetically altered products. The optics are poor, to say
the least.

While the government may legitimately believe such foods are safe for both
consumers and the environment, it is hypocritical to pretend to be researching
the issue in good faith, then turn around and pay to promote genetically
modified foods to Canadians.

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