GM contamination tests not convincing
JJ | 31.08.2002 09:42 | Bio-technology | Ecology
Web version:
http://www.foe.co.uk/pubsinfo/infoteam/pressrel/2002/20020830174325.html
Immediate release: Friday 30th August
GM SEED TESTS NOT CONVINCING, SAYS FRIENDS OF THE EARTH
Commenting on DEFRA's decision to allow the planting of the
genetically modified winter oilseed rape trials following the results of seed testing for GM contaminants, Pete Riley of Friends of the Earth said:
If DEFRA want to convince the public that Aventis seeds are what it says on the can then they should have published the results of the analysis in full and the outcome of their investigation into the contamination of the spring oilseed rape seeds. The latest analysis was carried out by the GM Inspectorate, the very people who failed spot the original contamination. These results seem to miss crucial GM genes like Monsanto's Round Up tolerance gene. This is an in adequate response by the Government and as a result the countryside will once again be exposed to Aventis' bungling and bad science.
ENDS
http://www.foe.co.uk/pubsinfo/infoteam/pressrel/2002/20020830174325.html Immediate release: Friday 30th August
GM SEED TESTS NOT CONVINCING, SAYS FRIENDS OF THE EARTH
Commenting on DEFRA's decision to allow the planting of the
genetically modified winter oilseed rape trials following the results of seed testing for GM contaminants, Pete Riley of Friends of the Earth said:
If DEFRA want to convince the public that Aventis seeds are what it says on the can then they should have published the results of the analysis in full and the outcome of their investigation into the contamination of the spring oilseed rape seeds. The latest analysis was carried out by the GM Inspectorate, the very people who failed spot the original contamination. These results seem to miss crucial GM genes like Monsanto's Round Up tolerance gene. This is an in adequate response by the Government and as a result the countryside will once again be exposed to Aventis' bungling and bad science.
ENDS
JJ
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Government says GM trial seeds are pure
31.08.2002 09:59
UK says GM rapeseed trial seeds free of impurities
Reuters, 08.30.02, 7:32 AM ET
LONDON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Britain said on Friday that seeds to be used in the last phase of its genetically modified (GM) rapeseed trials contained none of the impurities that prompted it to suspend its autumn test
programme.
Britain's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) had told farmers recently to hold off planting GM rapeseed under its three-year test programme after trial crops of Aventis CropScience Ltd were found
to be contaminated with unauthorised seeds.
"We've been through all the seeds for all the forthcoming Field Scale Evaluations and they are not contaminated," a DEFRA spokesman told Reuters.
The disclosure of small impurities in the Aventis field trials, which made the rapeseed resistant to two antibiotics, prompted environment groups to call for an immediate halt to the UK test programme.
Aventis CropScience was recently purchased by Bayer AG from Franco-German drugs group Aventis SA . The company will be known from Monday in the UK as Bayer CropScience Ltd.
ENDS
john
Seeds of doubt
31.08.2002 10:20
Seeds of doubt
Was a time when seed represent life and hope - not now.
Acid