USDA OKs Plan to Grow Genetically Modified Rice
Pastor Dale Morgan
Mar 2, 4:49 PM EST
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USDA OKs Plan to Grow Genetically Modified Rice*
By SAM HANANEL
Associated Press Writer
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Department of Agriculture has granted preliminary
approval for a large-scale plan to grow genetically altered rice in
Kansas, prompting some critics to raise safety concerns.
Sacramento, Calif.-based Ventria Bioscience wants to grow rice modified
to produce human proteins on more than 3,000 acres of farmland near
Junction City, Kan.
The pharmaceutical rice would be harvested and refined for use in
medicines to fight diarrhea, dehydration and other illnesses that kill
millions of infants and toddlers each year.
While Kansas officials have embraced the project as a boon to the
state's emerging biosciences industry, environmentalists and some food
groups warn the proteins could find their way into the food chain,
causing medical reactions or allergies.
"We're opposed to the production of pharmaceutical and industrial
chemicals in food crops grown outdoors because we think there are too
many ways contamination of the food supply could occur," said Karen
Perry Stillerman, senior analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a
science advocacy group.
The USDA released a draft environmental assessment on Wednesday that
concluded planting the rice poses virtually no risk. No commercial rice
is grown in Kansas and Ventria will use dedicated equipment, storage and
processing facilities to prevent seeds from mixing with other crops, the
USDA said. The rice will be milled on site.
"We have a product here that can help children get better faster," said
Ventria president and CEO Scott Deeter. He said any concerns are "based
on perception, not reality" given all the precautions the company is taking.
"It's a dedicated supply chain all throughout the process," Deeter said.
But Stillerman said weather events, like tornadoes, could carry seeds
into other fields where contamination could occur. She also cited the
possibility of human error in transporting and handling the rice.
Genetically modified crops are regulated by the USDA. State governments
can review safety procedures and suggest more stringent regulation of
the companies before a permit is issued.
Ventria has faced opposition to growing pharmaceutical rice in other
states from farmers and environmental groups. When Ventria tried to grow
the crop in southeast Missouri, beer giant Anheuser-Busch Cos.
threatened to boycott all rice from the state if the plan was allowed.
The company won approval in 2005 to grow its rice on smaller plots in
North Carolina, which also has no commercial rice farming.
USA Rice Federation spokesman David Coia said his group opposed
genetically engineered rice in Missouri, but is not taking a position on
the Kansas plan.
"Where there would be a threat to commercial rice crops, we certainly
would take an interest, but that doesn't appear to be the case in this
instance," Coia said.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and other officials have enthusiastically
welcomed Ventria to the state. The company plans to spend $6 million to
renovate an abandoned grocery distribution center in Junction City and
could eventually contract with farmers to grow rice on 30,000 acres.
Rep. Jerry Moran, a Republican whose district includes Junction City and
most of western Kansas, said he has heard no complaints from farmers.
The public has until March 30 to submit comments to the USDA. If final
approval is granted, Ventria will begin planting rice in April or May,
Deeter said.
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On the Net:
Ventria Bioscience: http://www.ventria.com/
U.S. Department of Agriculture: http://www.usda.gov