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Greenpeace is aware of other submissions, specifically those
of Genewatch, outlining a number of key issues that need to
be addressed. We agree that these are key issues and would
like to put forward the following observations as additional
comments on each of the areas.
Further key issues that need appraisal:
- What would be the agricultural impact of gene flow on
weed and resistance management (e.g. gene stacking of HT
resistances)?
- What have been the determining features of seed or crop
contamination incidents (e.g. Advanta seeds in EU, 2000;
Canadian experience with Limagrain Canola in 1997 and 2002;
Starlink episode in USA, 2000; Maize containing pig vaccine
contamination of soybean in Texas, 2002)? Why did these
occur, to what extent are they controllable in an agricultural
setting? Unfortunately whilst there is no question that
these incidents actually happened, and that they contain
crucial information about the real-world application of
scientific principles of gene flow, virtually none of it
is, to our knowledge, written up in peer-reviewed journals.
- Can major uncertainties over the role and importance of
horizontal gene transfer be reduced through monitoring or
is more basic research required on selective advantage conferred
by specific genes to microbes under a wide variety of conditions?
- Could even low (percentage) levels of contamination represent
a considerable potential for 'contamination' and unmonitored
geneflow?
Farmers Weekly, May 2 1997. Monsanto recalls GM seeds in
regulation scare
Farmers advised to destroy GM crops, BBC Online, May 27 2000.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/766539.stm
Alarm as GM pig vaccine taints US crops, Strict new guidelines
planned after contamination. The Guardian, Suzanne Goldenberg,
December 24, 2002. www.guardian.co.uk/gmdebate/Story/0,2763,865030,00.html
Reuter report, Winnipeg, April 17 1997. Monsanto Canada recalls
transgenic canola.
StarLink corn controversy will explode on USDA, U.S. farmers:
Farm and Food File for the week beginning Sunday, Oct. 15,
2000, Alan Guebert. www.biotech-info.net/starlink.html
Save Our Seeds! Agriculture and environment threatened by
GE seed contamination law and Tables of potential impact of
proposed EU seed contamination directives, Greenpeace International,
October 2002
Dr. Douglas Parr
Chief Scientific Adviser
Greenpeace UK
www.greenpeace.org.uk
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