From AgBioView

Today in AgBioView: March 27, 2003

Fears about Biotechnology Need to be Placed in Context, Says Nobel Prize
Winner

- Cordis News, March 27, 2003 http://dbs.cordis.lu/

The hysteria surrounding biotechnology must be seen in context, said Nobel
prize winner Kary Mullis at a lecture on opportunities in the
biotechnology era on 25 March.

Speaking at the (European) Parliament's scientific and technological
options assessment division (STOA), Nobel prize winner Dr Mullis argued
that forms of genetic modification have been around for thousands of
years, citing examples of corn and wheat and the recent development of
seedless melons. 'Genetic modification is nothing new', he emphasised.

Dr Mullis also referred to society's acceptance of mules as proof that
genetic modification can be perceived in a positive light. According to Dr
Mullis, society's perspective on biotechnology is greatly influenced by
the words used to describe such activities. 'The new vocabulary of
biotechnology scares us. What was once called horticulture is now called
genetic modification,' he said.

In response to politicians' demand for the mandatory testing of up to
35,000 chemicals for their toxicity, Dr Mullis said that politicians were
are legislating. He argued that it is impossible to test every chemical
for its possible effects on the endocrine system. In the end, it is the
companies assisting the tests that will benefit most from these
unnecessary tests, he added.

In a lively debate following the lecture, members of parliament raised
several issues, substantiating the concerns about biotechnology. Irish MEP
Nuala Ahern referred to recent studies claiming that the male reproductive
system is affected by the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
(from Prakash: Uh? God save this Irish Parliamentarian!). UK MEP David
Bowe drew attention to soya beans, enhanced with Brazil nuts, which cause
allergic reactions and had to be withdrawn from the market.

UK Eryl McNally agreed that fears about GMOs could sometimes be increased
by the vocabulary used and media speculation. At the same time, she
underlined the importance that the Parliament is placing on the
precautionary principle where GMOs are concerned.

For further information on STOA, please visit:
http://www.europarl.eu.int/stoa/default_en.htm

(From Prakash: Kary Mullis is the inventor of the polymerase chain
reaction (PCR), a technique that has revolutionized the molecular biology
research with applications in gene cloning to DNA fingerprinting.  Many
readers may also recognize him from his appearance at the OJ Simpson trial
where he denounced the very DNA fingerprinting that he helped spawn. To
learn more about this great but idiosyncratic scientist go to
http://www.karymullis.com )