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February 2001

Public 'Misled' On GE Risk
25/2/2001, Knowledge Centre
Former Greenpeace director Patrick Moore, who also appeared before the commission, said the public had been misled over the risks of genetic engineering.

Food Safety: Haskins Blasts Organics Lobby
24/2/2001, The Grocer
One of Tony Blair's closest advisors has slammed the organics movement and expressed strong support for GM food. Lord Haskins, chairman of the government's Better Regulation Task Force and non executive chairman of Northern Foods, launched his withering attack at the Provision Trade Federation annual dinner.

Directive To Allow Controlled Release Of GMOs
22/2/2001, Irish Times
A new directive on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) approved by the European Parliament last week will, according to this story, allow the "deliberate release" of GM crops into the environment. It also paves the way for their commercial production in the EU. Dr Patrick O'Reilly, business manager of Monsanto Ireland, was quoted as saying, "it's showing there's more confidence in the safety of these products."

Biotech Basics 1: Bacillus thuringiensis
20/2/2001, Monsanto India
The most interesting aspect of Bt is that while it is effective against 300 pests of the lepidopteran order, it is harmless to birds, bees, fish, many beneficial insects, animals and human beings. The protein is biodegradable, unlike chemical pesticides which also kill indiscriminately and move up the food chain.

Potential For GM Is Long-Term
17/2/2001, Scotsman
Supermarkets who have announced they will ban meat produced from animals fed any genetically modified produce are simply "short-term opportunists" said a leading agricultural economist this week.

Vote Moves EU Closer To Lifting GMO Ban
14/2/2001, Agence France Presse
The European Union moved closer to lifting its de facto moratorium on new genetically modified organisms. By a 338-52 vote, with 85 absentions, the European Parliament adopted in final reading a controversial EU directive on the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment.

Grains Of Hope
13/2/2001, Time Magazine
Golden rice and other genetically engineered crops could revolutionize farming and help solve world hunger.

EU Allows In New Flood Of GM Food
12/2/2001, Knowledge Centre
European laws to be introduced this week will open Britain to a fresh wave of genetically modified crops and foods. This new direction will end a “three year de facto moratorium moratorium on granting licences for the commercial development of GM foods. The standstill was imposed by major European nations following concerns about the impact of the new crops on health and the environment.”

Speech By David Byrne, European Commissioner For Health And Consumer Protection At The 'Trust Through Transparency: Biovision World Life Sciences Forum'
10/2/2001, European Commission
"And yet nobody has drawn to my attention that somebody has died from eating GM foods. And 500,000 Europeans die every year from smoking and I have a battle on my hands to regulate that industry. And I have a battle on my hands to gain acceptance for and enforcement of the safety laws of the EU...."

GM 'Super-Weed' Fears Challenged
7/2/2001, Knowledge Centre
GM crops show no signs of turning into super-weeds. Conducting a 10-year study that researchers planted GM varieties of oilseed rape, potato, maize and sugar beet alongside conventional crops in 12 different areas in the UK to see if GM plants could “invade” natural habitats.

Technology Drive Can Raise Soya Yield
5/2/2001, Hindu Business Line
National productivity of soyabean can be easily augmented from the present 800 kg to two tonnes per hectare, if effective research and development policies aimed at removing environmental stresses, technology gaps and information gaps are pursued, a survey sponsored by the Indore-based Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has revealed.

Critics Of Biotechnology Are Called Imperialists
4/2/2001, Knowledge Centre
Are biotech opponents so against it that they are willing to let people die? Indeed, the critics, most of whom live in wealthy countries, are increasingly being called imperialists for opposing a technology that could be used to develop improved crops for poor nations.

Scare Tactics Cloud Biotech Crops’ Benefits
1/2/2001, Daily Tarheel
Just imagine: Using biotechnology, scientists can produce crops that will grow in drought conditions and therefore help alleviate the world's food shortages. Labs are developing plants that contain essential vitamins to prevent childhood blindness in underdeveloped countries.

Rice Scientists Excited By Technology Transfer Trend
1/2/2001, International Rice Research Institute
Scientists at the Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have expressed excitement about the recent mapping of the rice genome, predicting that this could have a significant impact on a range of previously intractable problems in the developing world.