Genetically modified (GM) crops have the potential to pose food safety risks and harm the environment so the U.S. government should do a better job of regulating the industry, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) said yesterday in a high-profile report. Still, the report, prepared by a panel of 12 scientists, was seen by many as giving a boost to the biotechnology industry because it also argued that crops genetically engineered to produce their own pesticides appear to be safe to eat. Reps. Jack Metcalf (R-Wash.) and Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) joined some environmental and consumer groups in saying the report is tainted because half of the authors have biotech industry ties and conflicts of interest. Metcalf and Kucinich have introduced a bill that would require labels on GM foods.
source: New York Times, Carol Kaesuk Yoon and Melody Petersen, 04.06.00
source: Washington Post, Marc Kaufman, 04.06.00
source: Planet Ark, Reuters, Julie Vorman, 04.05.00
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