April 27, 2000 / Reuters / Timothy Heritage
BRUSSELS -- The European Commission was cited as presenting a group of 11
scientists who will advise the EU executive on matters such as cloning and
GM foods, and also openly discuss people's "fears, hopes and sometimes
rejection" of new developments in bioscience.
The story says that the need for such a dialogue was highlighted by a new
"Eurobarometer" study, which showed that ordinary people in the EU were
deeply wary of genetically modified food.
Professor George Gaskell of the London School of Economics, presenting the
study at a news conference after the Commission's new science group held its
first meeting, was quoted as saying, "Genetically modified foods are getting
the thumbs down. They are seen to be very risky. They are also seen to not
be worthy of support or encouragement in Europe."
(posted without permission)
