May 3, 2000 / The New York Times/Reuters/AP/Washington Post/Dow Jones
Extensive news coverage this am of the above FDA announcement.
The stories note that under the plan, biotechnology companies would be
required to talk to regulators at the Food and Drug Administration about the
safety of the foods before they are sold. Under the current policy,
that discussion is voluntary, leading critics to say that regulators may
not even know about all of the genetically engineered foods being sold.
The nations largest food companies had asked the administration for the
change to help calm the growing consumer fears about the safety of such
foods, which are now included as ingredients in most processed foods sold
in American supermarkets.
Andrew Kimbrell, director of the Center for Food Safety, a nonprofit group
in Washington, was cited as saying that talking is not testing, and that the
center has filed a lawsuit against the F.D.A. claiming that its current
policy on genetically engineered foods is illegal.
Gene Grabowski, vice president for communications at the trade group, the
Grocery Manufacturers of America, was cited as saying the steps as outlined
by FDA are appropriate and responsive to the discussions that weve been
having with F.D.A. officials and other government officials over the last
few months.
In another change, the stories note that the Agriculture Department would
start validating new scientific tests designed to detect the presence of
biotech ingredients in food to ensure that food labeled biotech-free meets
uniform standards.
On Tuesday, 13 governors concerned that opposition to genetically
engineered food could hurt farmers and biotech companies in their states
were cited as announcing plans to use their political muscle to promote the
industry.
Charles Margulis, a spokesman for Greenpeace, an environmental
group that has led the opposition to biotech food, was quoted as saying, "I
don't think they (the governors) are doing their farmers or their consumers
any benefit by promoting a technology that hasnt proven to be safe. I dont
think its going to make much difference to our side."
Jane Rissler, a biotech expert with the Union of Concerned Scientists,
was cited as saying that genetic engineering is a very powerful technology,
far more powerful than traditional breeding, just as nuclear energy is far
more powerful than fossil fuels.
Rhona Applebaum, an executive vice president of the National Food Processors
Association, was quoted as saying, We need guidelines on what companies can
and cannot say. This is good for the food industry.
(posted without permission)
