Greed driving science

-------- Original Message --------
From: Marcus Williamson
Subject: Biotech Group Backs Off Pledge On Genetically Modified Corn

December 3, 2002

Biotech Group Backs Off Pledge On Genetically Modified Corn

By SCOTT KILMAN
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

The crop biotechnology industry is retreating from its pledge to avoid
growing in the heart of the Midwest Farm Belt corn genetically
modified to make pharmaceuticals.

A voluntary drug-free zone was adopted in October by the Biotechnology
Industry Organization, the biggest biotech trade group, in hopes of
easing concerns that pharmaceuticals and chemicals derived from
genetically modified corn might contaminate crops intended to produce
food for humans.

But the policy angered powerful Iowa U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, whose
state has high hopes for building a new industry around genetically
modifying plants such as corn to make pharmaceuticals. Sen. Grassley's
office Tuesday announced that the trade group's president, Carl B.
Feldbaum, delivered a revised policy to the Iowa Republican, who is
slated to become chairman of the Senate Finance Committee in January.

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Under the new policy, the trade group will leave the decision of where
to conduct bio-pharming up to federal regulators, who have permitted
experimental corn plots in Iowa. "We didn't want to appear to be
discriminating against certain parts of the country," said Lisa Dry, a
spokeswoman for the biotech organization.

The food industry is nervous that corn genetically modified to make a
vaccine or antibody might accidentally end up in their products,
triggering an expensive recall. Recent events suggest they have reason
to be concerned. Last month, U.S. regulators reported that some stray
corn plants genetically modified by ProdiGene Inc. to make a diarrhea
drug were accidentally mixed with 500,000 bushels of soybeans at an
elevator in Nebraska.

ProdiGene agreed to destroy the soybeans and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture is considering whether to levy penalties against the
College Station, Texas, firm.

Some food-industry officials have threatened to lobby for a ban on
using food crops to make drugs unless the fledging bio-pharming
industry convinces them mistakes can't happen.