*Ø* Blogmanac | Critics Slam Bush for 'Ignorant' GM Foods Comments
LONDON (Reuters) - A transatlantic storm is brewing over genetically modified crops, with the U.S. extolling the benefits of biotechnology and Europeans insisting on proof that "Frankenstein foods" really are safe to eat. In the latest salvo in what is turning into a bruising battle, President Bush accused European nations of contributing to famine in Africa because of their reluctance to accept GM foods.
But critics in Europe said his comments are more about promoting the biotech business than ending world hunger.
"He can only have been informed by the multinationals, the Monsantos of this world, to make a statement which displays as much ignorance as that," Patrick Holden, of the environmental group the Soil Association, told Reuters. Monsanto Co., the St. Louis, Missouri-based agribusiness giant, is moving to commercialise biotech wheat.
"It is nonsense," Holden added. "Even serious experts on GM will concede that there is no evidence that GM can make any greater contribution to feeding the world than existing agricultural science."
Friends of the Earth, echoed his comments and accused the U.S. leader of exploiting famine to sell GM products. "GM crops will not feed the world. Indeed making poor farmers dependent on biotech companies for their seed may only make matters worse," said spokeswoman Clare Oxborrow.
Story
LONDON (Reuters) - A transatlantic storm is brewing over genetically modified crops, with the U.S. extolling the benefits of biotechnology and Europeans insisting on proof that "Frankenstein foods" really are safe to eat. In the latest salvo in what is turning into a bruising battle, President Bush accused European nations of contributing to famine in Africa because of their reluctance to accept GM foods.
But critics in Europe said his comments are more about promoting the biotech business than ending world hunger.
"He can only have been informed by the multinationals, the Monsantos of this world, to make a statement which displays as much ignorance as that," Patrick Holden, of the environmental group the Soil Association, told Reuters. Monsanto Co., the St. Louis, Missouri-based agribusiness giant, is moving to commercialise biotech wheat.
"It is nonsense," Holden added. "Even serious experts on GM will concede that there is no evidence that GM can make any greater contribution to feeding the world than existing agricultural science."
Friends of the Earth, echoed his comments and accused the U.S. leader of exploiting famine to sell GM products. "GM crops will not feed the world. Indeed making poor farmers dependent on biotech companies for their seed may only make matters worse," said spokeswoman Clare Oxborrow.
Story
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