Dow Jones | January 11, 2000
BANGKOK - A U.S. delegation visiting Thailand Tuesday said the country should be open to using technology involving genetically modified organisms, saying it will help boost Thai crop output rather than causing harmful effects.
Members of the delegation, led by Senator Christopher S. Bond, gave speeches on the topic "GMO and the Future of the World". Several U.S. businessmen, including a representative from Monsanto Co. of the U.S., were among the delegation.
"Thailand is an outstanding country in the region along with Singapore for using GMO technology, as they have good scientists," Bond said.
He said as there is no clear scientific proof that GMO products have had harmful effects on consumers and the environment, Thailand shouldn't reject GMO technology, adding that Thai and U.S. scientists could work together to obtain and share information on its development.
Responding to international concerns over the GMO issue, the Thai government in October defined the country's policy toward GMO. Under the policy, GMO seeds aren't allowed in the country on a commercial basis and for cultivation but are permitted for research and experimental proposes. GMO grains are allowed as raw materials in industries but under close monitoring.
The government expects to maintain this position until GMO products are proven safe for consumers.
Charles Martin, Monsanto's vice president for Asia Public Affairs, said GMO technology would help improve Thai agriculture as it has done for farms in China. He added that around 90% of Chinese farmers accepted GMO technology by planting GMO plants such BT cotton after the company's research showed that farm production costs were reduced by $200 an acre from planting BT cotton.
He also believed that the use of GMO technology will increase among Asian countries.
Roger Beachy, chief executive officer at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, said GMO plants not only help farmers reduce production costs but also increase yields while not damaging the environment, as farmers don't have to use pesticides on GMO plants.
He also added that Thailand should allow its farmers to decide for themselves whether to use pesticides to protect plants from insects or to plant GMO seeds without using pesticides.
Thailand normally imports soybean and corn used to produce feedmeal for the country's livestock. Both are normally imported from the U.S. and Argentina, which are developing them using GMO technology.
Thailand is a major shrimp and chicken exporter.
By Nitsara Srihanam; 662-266-0744; [email protected]
