www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

Plant molecular farming uses plants in agriculture to produce products other
than food, feed or fibre. Certain plants can be genetically modified to act
as 'factories,' manufacturing pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines, bioplastics
and industrial chemicals, April 2007 by Kendra Perry.

University of Calgary communication and culture professor Dr. Edna
Einsiedel led a public consultation between Oct. 2006 and Feb. 2007,
allowing Canadians to offer input regarding the use of the technology. The
consultation involved both online and face-to-face aspects.

"The consultation was held nationwide in French and English," said
Einsiedel. "Four hundred people were interviewed regarding their views on
the technology."

The consultation was limited to "involved Canadians," selected based on
their voting habits, attention to news and participation in civic
organizations, said Einsiedel.

"We were looking for people who have high levels of attention to public
affairs," she said.

Twelve panelists participated in the face-to-face aspect and composed a
report which was submitted to Agriculture Canada and the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency. Panelists spent two weekends in Calgary learning about
plant molecular farming.

"The first weekend panelists attended talks from experts, regulators,
scientists, ecologists and environmental organizations," said Einsiedel.
"The second weekend was spent in deliberations regarding the information and
writing the report."

The report supported the use of the technology, but warned the government to
proceed with caution due to the risks involved in plant molecular farming.
The panelists expressed concerns over accidental contamination of the food
chain, genetic contamination, harm to domestic and wild animals as well as
soil and water contamination.

"Tight mitigation is needed for this technology to be successful," said
Einsiedel. "Plants should never be grown in the open. They need to be
tightly controlled in confinement to reduce the risks."

Despite the risks, the panelists recognized the benefits of using the
technology.

"Plant molecular farming may be a cheaper way of producing things," said
Einsiedel. "This may have major benefits for people in developing countries
who lack the resources for normal production of life-saving vaccines."

Though molecular farming has not been approved in Canada for commercial
field production, the technology is currently used in the U.S. and parts of
Europe.

[gauntlet.ucalgary.ca]