www.czu.cz ; www.raupp.info

In Spain, an Ethics Advisory Committee for Scientific Research recommended
that research and cultivation of genetically modified crops should continue
late last week, November 2004 by Robert Derham.

The crop varieties that the Committee addressed were primarily those that
had either been enhanced with genes that accelerate the growth of a crop, or
that enable a crop to have increased resistance to diseases.

The Ethics Committee further warned that a part of the Spanish society
associated perceived risks with the cultivation and usage of GM crops for
consumption. It therefore recommended that the interests of consumers be
protected, by strengthening their right to information regarding GM crops.

Antama, a Spanish non-profit foundation responsible for promoting new
technologies for agriculture, the environment and for consumer consumption,
applauded the recommendation of the Ethics Committee. Antama highlighted
that the report confirms that food produced from genetically modified
organisms is the most evaluated in the history of agriculture.

Antama further evidenced that the report went as far as to encourage the use
of biotechnology with out further delays, while also promoting their
coexistence with present forms of agriculture to guarantee that consumers
have a freedom of choice.

In contrast, Greenpeace demonstrated its disapproval of using GM crops in
the agriculture. They maintained that by so doing, damages to biodiversity
could result.

However, César Nombela, the president of the Ethics Committee, assured the
public that the controversy regarding genetically engineered crops was in
his words, ?fictitious.?

In Spain over 30,000 hectares are dedicated to growing transgenic crops.
Spain, along with the Netherlands and the UK represent a group of EU
countries that are in favor of using genetically enhanced crops, while
Austria, France and Italy have often expressed their disapproval. It is
expected that later this month, the EU commission will ask the group of
dissenting EU countries to change their position.

Sources: Antama (Spanish)
[www.fundacion-antama.org]

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