A CSIRO scientist has told a Tasmanian parliamentary inquiry that
genetically-modified (GM) foods are probably safer than conventionally-grown
foods.
Tasmania has a ban on GM foodstuffs.

The CSIRO's Tom Higgins has told the joint select committee
investigating gene technology that genetically-modified material is
rigorously tested.

"I think it probably is true to say that that, that they are probably
safer than conventional foods, just because they undergo so much more
regulatory scrutiny," he said.

But Dr Higgins also told the inquiry he abandoned an experiment using
genetically modified material after mice were adversely affected.

Dr Higgins said he had tried to make peas resistant to weevils by
transferring genetic material into them from beans, but when tested on mice
the peas provoked an allergic response.

He says the response was only mild, and was not why he abandoned his
research.

"Well, just because of the sensitivities, of people to, to this
technology, it seemed to me that it would not be wise to carry on with the
project, that had that associated with it.

"I think it was very important to be able to publish those results and
say, well, this can happen."


[www.abc.net.au]