Genetically-modified (GM) seeds and food continued to receive
attention this week. Raisio, the Finnish supplier of Benecol, the
margarine that reduces cholesterol, can go straight to a European launch
because it doesn’t need EU approval. EU-imposed tests must be conducted
on Monsanto’s GM seeds, however, and green groups opposed both seeds and
allegedly dangerous environmental tests of seeds.
The UK government hinted at abbreviated tests but then switched to a
three-year voluntary moratorium. Monsanto fought this, because EU
permission has legal status. Reporting was mainly negative and Monsanto
was even quoted using the word ’Frankenstein’. The US company had to
cope with an avalanche of criticism almost alone, but such effort was
essential to avoid a sense of conspiracy. Raisio’s vigorous rebuttal of
dangers to health was much easier to communicate. The environmental and
human health case for GM technology would have been stronger with the
results of conclusive experiments.
Evaluation and analysis by CARMA International. Cuttings supplied by the
Broadcast Monitoring Company. ’What the Papers Say’ can be found at:
www.carma.com.
