Commission presents GMO research projects
The European Commission has published a review containing the results of EC supported research into GMOs (genetically modified organisms) carried out between 1985 and 2000. 'EC sponsored research on safety of genetically modified organisms - a review of results' shows that during this period, 81 projects involving over 400 research teams have been supported, with a combined Community contribution amounting to around 70 million euro. 'The primary objective of this review is to demonstrate how the EC has tackled this need [a lack of knowledge]; to show that it has made a sustained effort, building up a sizeable community of researchers and contributing to the world's fast accumulating knowledge and experience in the field,' writes Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin in the publication's introduction. The research projects contained in the report cover plants, plant microbes, biocontrol, food bioremediation, tools, fish and vaccines. Meanwhile some EU Member States have not acted favourably to a suggestion by the European Commission that the bloc's moratorium on the licensing of GMOs is lifted. Under the Commission's plan, the EU would once again begin the commercial licensing of GMOs before legislation on product traceability and labelling is implemented in 2003. At a meeting on 16 October, several Member States reiterated their opposition to such a proposal, which Germany's minister for agriculture called 'incomprehensible and groundless' in a letter to the Commission. British opponents to GMOs were pleased with a UK High court verdict, also on 16 October, which may affect the GM research environment in the country. It ruled that public order laws cannot be used against those who damage or destroy GM crops when there are no people are in the fields at the same time who may be intimidated by their activities.