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

The Justus Liebig University Giessen wants to plant transgenic barley on an
experimental field-site, April 2006 translated by Mark Hutko, CheckBiotech.

This would be the first time in Germany that such plants were planted
outside of a laboratory, said professor Karl-Heinz Kogel on Monday in
Giessen. It is expected that enough seed for about 5000 plants will be sown
on a 12 square meter area.

There is no danger of the spread of transgenic plants. This project of the
Institute of Phytopathology and of Applied Zoology of the University Giessen
is called ?Biosafety? and is supported by the German Federal Office of
Consumer Protection and Food Safety.

?Spreading is out of the question?

The scientists want to find out whether or not the transgenic plants have a
detrimental effect upon beneficial soil fungi. Two barley varieties will be
planted: one of which contains an additional gene which makes the plants
resistant to pathogens.

The second barley variety has an enzyme which allows it to be used as
chicken feed. ?It is out of the question that the barley variety spreads, or
ends up in the food chain via animals?, emphasized Kogel. The pollen of
these plants cannot be dispersed by airborne means, and apart from that,
barley is a self-pollinating plant and is fertilized only by its own pollen.

?Less fertilizer and pesticides necessary?

Transgenic plants would have the advantage that they would require less
fertilizer and would need to be treated with less pesticides than
conventional barley. This is positive not only for the environment but also
means less work for the farmers. ?I think that public debate on genetic
technology will slowly become more rational?, said Kogel.

Apart from Giessen two other test-sites in the state of Hessen have been
registered at the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection for sowing of
transgenic plants: in Weilmuenster and Hammersbach. Transgenic corn will be
sown at both sites. Environmentalist, locals and farmer unions are
protesting due to concern over incalculable risks.

www.faz.net

------------------------------------------
Posted to Phorum via PhorumMail