Reuters | January 6, 2000
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Monsanto Co. said Thursday it is doing everything possible to gain public acceptance of genetically modified (GM) crops, dubbed "Frankenstein Foods" in Europe, amid concerns over food safety.
"Monsanto is doing all it can to enhance the acceptance of biotech (crops) all over the world," Barry Knight, Monsanto's manager for Field Environmental Operations, told reporters in a briefing at the Annual Beltwide Cotton conference here.
Knight said Monsanto is working with companies like Procter & Gamble to reassure consumers in Europe that GM crops are safe.
"We're working with Procter, we're working with the industry, our competition. (But) we cannot overcome anti-Americanism," Knight added.
Gary Barton, director of biotechnology communications for Monsanto, said the firm is looking at various coalitions to show that GM goods do not pose a threat to the environment and are safe to consume.
"It's very hard to reach the mass public. Basic science education is hard enough," said Barton.
The uproar over GM foods has caused concern among U.S. officials and farmers because a large part of U.S. cotton, corn and soybean crops last season used GM seeds.
Monsanto was recently sued over allegations it sold GM crops without first ensuring they were safe.
