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June 25, 1999
PA NewsConfront GM Fears, Professor Tells Firms
Eileen Murphy, Consumer Affairs Correspondent, PA News
Professor Gordon Conway, president of the Rockefeller Foundation--the
world's largest philanthropic organisation aimed at improving the lives of
the poor, who was speaking in Washington at the invitation of the board of
directors of Monsanto, was cited as telling the group that biotechnology
companies needed to take a more responsible approach to the introduction
of genetically modified (GM) technology if a consumer or legislative
backlash was to be avoided.
Prof Conway was further cited as saying that although many promising
advances had been put forward as arguments for GM technology to improve
the world's food supply these could be pushed aside under the weight of
the "increasingly passionate" arguments against GMs.
He argued that, prior to the widespread rejection of GM technology across
Europe, real gains from GMs were close, including insect and disease
resistant rice and rice which contained added beta-carotene to combat
Vitamin A deficiency.
In developing countries this affects 180 million children and two million
die every year from the complaint.
Conway was quoted as saying, "Many concerns from consumers and
environmental groups are legitimate and need to be properly addressed and
monitored."
He called on biotechnology companies to enter an "open, honest dialogue"
over the issues, including a commitment to drop the idea of so-called
"terminator seeds" which could hit traditional farming methods in
developing countries. |