Bush administration proposes rules for GM ingredients in food

Food & Drink Weekly, August 12, 2002

Under proposed rules announced by the Bush administration, small amounts of genetically modified plants will be permissible in human food. The proposal, by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, says cross-breeding of regular and approved genetically modified plants should be kept to a minimum, but "intermittent, low levels of biotechnology-derived genes and gene products from such field tests could be found acceptable".

A report in the Wall Street Journal stressed that the proposal applies only to crops that are intended for human food or animal feed. Crops that are unsafe or their safety is unknown, like the genetically modified corn StarLink, would not be allowed at any level.

The proposed rules are being hailed as a victory for the biotechnology industry, which has lobbied the government to permit low levels of the material in food.

Environmental groups meanwhile have criticized the proposals, as they fear they will open more loopholes in the regulatory process.