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

Three years after a series of controversial field experiments with
genetically modified (GM) wheat, Swiss scientists are planning similar crop
trials.
Two teams of university researchers have applied to carry out tests near
Zurich and Lausanne, including observations of potential crossbreeding
between wheat and wild grass.

The proposed field trials by Zurich University's Institute of Plant Biology
and the Institute of Plant Sciences at the city's Federal Institute of
Technology would form part of a planned national research programme.

The aim would be to help answer questions about the release of transgenic
plants, specifically in Switzerland.

"It is important to clearly say that we are not developing a product for the
market," Beat Keller, a lead researcher on the project, told swissinfo.

"We want to find out if GM wheat plants that we have already tested in the
labs, which show improved resistance to fungal diseases, also [behave in a
similar way] in the field in normal agricultural environments."

They also intend to look at aspects of biological safety to see if the
plants have any unexpected impact on the environment, as well as organisms
living in the ground or insects.

If the Federal Environment Office gives the go:ahead, trials will run over a
two:year period from 2008 in Reckenholz near Zurich, and in Pully, on the
outskirts of Lausanne. The office is expected to reach its decision within
the next three months.

Controversial

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) remain a highly contentious issue in
Switzerland. In November 2005 the Swiss voted in favour of a five:year ban
on the use of GMOs in agriculture. Scientific research, however, is still
permitted.

During discussions before the vote all political parties said it was
necessary and essential to increase research into this topic and use the
five:year moratorium period to clarify questions.

But the last GM crop trials in Switzerland, which took place in Lindau near
Zurich in 2004, resulted in major opposition and a lengthy legal battle.

Keller is certain that there will be resistance to the project, but hopes
that there will be better public acceptance than three years ago.

"There is a clear need and demand from society to clarify questions," he
reckons.

"And the project also includes a very broad consortium of research groups
which will approach it from many different angles."

Scepticism

GM opponents were quick to react to Tuesday's announcement.

"We are very concerned. We don't want trials that are a Trojan horse," said
Herbert Karch, a committee member of the Swiss Working Group for Genetic
Engineering (SAG).

While trials are allowed in principle, SAG is doubtful whether the proposals
meet strict criteria set out in the law on genetic engineering.

It also questions the use of wheat in the trials. "There is no need for
these kind of plants," said Karch.

No country currently grows GM wheat and producers refuse to do so, SAG said
in a statement on Tuesday.

"We are doing fundamental research and it's a fact that for clarifying
questions about the use of transgenic plants in Switzerland, wheat is
probably the best crop as it is among the most:grown. It's an obvious
choice," replied Keller, trying to placate opponents' fears.

Environmental organisation Greenpeace, which opposed the 2004 trial both in
the courts and with a demonstration at the site, also expressed its surprise
about the news and warned about what it considers to be the dangers of GMOs
for the environment, and for the health of both humans and animals.

Yves Zenger, spokesman for Greenpeace, said the majority of Swiss people,
like others in many parts of the world, were against the release of GMOs.

The organic farming association Bio Suisse, while supporting GM research in
a closed environment, said it was extremely wary of field trials of modified
organisms.

Before approving the tests, it said the authorities should carry out a
complete and detailed risk analysis.

[www.nzz.ch]