Archive Article: 2001/06/14

9 July 2001



Peers concern at GM private funding

By FWi staff

A LACK of public funding for genetically modified crops research has undermined scientific grounds for introducing them, claims a Tory peer.

Lord Selborne said there was a real weakness in the scientific base for GM crops because so much is in the hands of large organisations there to make a profit.

He was speaking ahead of a conference on agricultural biotechnology in Bangkok, which he is chairing, reports the Financial Times.

Lord Selborne suggested that big companies give away interests in some crops to show they have obligations beyond their shareholders.

The event, organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the UK government begins on Tuesday (10 July).

It is intended to take forward international debate on new biotechnology.

• Aventis sticking up two fingers, FWi, 18 October 2000
• Industry takes over ivory towers, FWi, 11 September 2000
• Kennedy attacks Labour over GMs, FWi, 19 August 1999
  
• Financial Times, 09 July 2001, page 10