GM Foods on the Internet II
GM Foods on the Internet II
Introduction
This is the second in a pair of linked articles that focus on Web sites with information or viewpoints on the issue of genetically modified foods (GM foods). It is intended that the two articles will be read together since each has taken a different perspective on the issue. The first article concentrated on the"anti-GM" camp; this article will consider those who are definitely in the"pro-GM" camp and those who for the present are adopting a neutral position.
As indicated before, it is not the intention of the author of this article to take either an "anti" or a "pro" perspective. Rather, it is intended that the range of materials reviewed in the two articles will provide a sufficient range of perspectives to enable each reader to develop their own personal conclusions.
Readers are reminded that Monsanto GM Soya and Novartis GM Maize are two of the three GM foods permitted in the UK at the time of writing this article.
Web site reviews - the "pro GM" group
Monsanto
Monsanto is a US based major company with interests in pharmaceuticals, food ingredients (such as the sweetener nutrasweet) and agricultural chemicals. Long established with almost 100 years of history in the chemicals industry the company is now keen to reposition itself as a leader company with interests in"life sciences".
Worldwide, Monsanto is one of the largest investors in GM developments. In the UK, at least, the company has taken the view that it must address publicly any controversies relating to GM foods. The company judges that this will be best achieved by open recognition of the issues and open discussion. Unusually,for businesses in controversial areas of activity, Monsanto has addressed the issues head on and, recognising the increasing domestic as well as professional access to the Internet, has used its Web site as the primary vehicle for distribution of its view to the most affluent (and hence decision-making)classes of the population. The Monsanto Web site is extensive and informative and very unusually provides direct links to organisations which hold quite different views as well as to the sites of relevant government and international organisations.
The site is broadly divided into six sections as follows:
- 1.
Pages giving details of the company's activities both in the UK and elsewhere. This includes links to the Monsanto corporate Web site in the USA and to information about the company's activity's around the globe.
- 2.
Pages giving information regarding Monsanto's sponsorship of the Hall of Biodiversity at the American Museum of Natural History. This includes information arranged as follows:
the basics of plant biotechnology;
how biotechnology works;
why biotechnology matters;
the benefits of biotechnology;
a brief biotech timeline;
common questions and their answers;
glossary of terms.
- 3.
The Biotechnology Knowledge Centre - this is an evolving collection of documents which can be searched by:
- •
choice of topic:
biotechnology: benefits and risks;
biotechnology and the economy;
biotechnology and the environment;
biotechnology and human health;
biotechnology and labelling;
iotechnology product development;
biotechnology and public opinion;
biotechnology and regulatory affairs;
science of biotechnology.
- •
type of document
brochures/leaflets/fact sheets
communiquÅs and correspondence
news items/feature articles/editorials
speeches
technical reports - general
technical reports - corporate
technical reports - governmental
technical reports - peer reviewed
miscellaneous
- •
keywordsThe site allows the user to specify to which languages the search is to be limited (English, French, German or no language restrictions).
- •
- 4.
Links to other sites. Monsanto has declared its intention to make a genuine contribution to the opening up of the debate on GM foods and provides a number of useful links to:
universities and research centres;
organisations with an interest in biotechnology;
technical indexes;
UK government, EU and UK sites;
alternative viewpoints.
(The one obvious group that is missing from this list is the other companies which are also involved in GM activities. See below.)
- 5.
Biotech in the news - an international review of recent news stories relating to GM foods. The links are to particular news stories in newspapers around the UK and overseas and to press notices released by the company.
- 6.
An opportunity to lodge additional information with the company or to ask further questions about biotechnology and GM foods.
Monsanto also provides the opportunity to join an e-mailing list to receive information about the company and on food biotechnology. The URL for the UK Monsanto site is http://www.monsanto.co.uk
In addition, the URL for the Monsanto corporate Web site in the USA is http://monsanto.com
Note: Monsanto has clearly established itself as the provider of the most substantial corporate Web site with information on GM foods; thus readers will undoubtedly find the Monsanto site the most useful.
However, it is also useful to look at sites created on behalf of two other companies with interests in this area since these provide alternative corporate interpretations. (It is recognised by the author that many other companies are active in using the Internet to present information about GM foods - such companies are invited to contact the author of this article to suggest material for inclusion in follow-up reviews.)
Novartis
This is the second largest pharmaceutical company in the world formed from the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz. The company has extensive interests in GM foods.
A significant amount of information relating to GM foods is available on a Web site maintained by the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development.
The Foundation's Web site includes information on a wide range of topics which include:
agricultural and rural development;
corporate/business ethics;
health;
social (human) development;
sustainable development.
This means that the information relating to GM foods can be missed amongst the wide range of other materials.
However, a determined search of the site leads to its "biotechnology and genetic engineering directories". Many of the leads from this site provide substantial technical information on genetic modification in general. Also provided are direct links to the biotechnology sections of two popular engines,Yahoo and Infoseek.
The site also includes access to a list of "biotechnology and genetic engineering articles" - however, it should be noted that this is by no means an up to date list and there is a clear bias towards Australian articles.
Novartis also offers the opportunity to search an evolving database of articles which includes some on GM foods.
The URL for the Novartis foundation for Sustainable Development Web site is http://www.foundation.novartis.com/
Gist-brocades NV
This is a Dutch company based in Delft. The company is active world-wide in the production of a substantial range of biotechnology-based products:
In the pharmaceutical market, the company is the world's largest manufacturer of anti-biotics.
In the food market, the company is involved in the production of a wide range of food ingredients including bakers' yeast, enzymes for production of cheese and yoghurt and flavourings and nutritional ingredients.
The company's Web site makes only a low-key reference to involvement with GM foods (in a single paragraph on the 6th page of a nine-page document). However,this paragraph provides useful information and explanation regarding the company's involvement in the production of a GM alternative to rennet (which is traditionally taken from slaughtered calves' stomachs); the site explains the background to the development of this GM alternative. The URL of the Gist-brocades Web site is http://www.gist-brocades.nl
Web site reviews - the "neutral" group
1. The scientific community
Royal Society. The Royal Society has published a report which is an authoritative contribution to the current debate about the use of genetically modified plants to yield crops which can be used for food use. The Royal Society Working Group has focused solely on the scientific aspects of the issue. The report considers the following:
- 1.
What is genetic modification?
- 2.
Is genetic modification regulated?
- 3.
Will genes transfer from GM plants?
- 4.
Will GM crops harm the environment?
- 5.
Specific issues related to GM plants for food use.
- 6.
Summary of recommendations (abbreviated below)
Further increase in the number of antibiotic resistant micro-organisms should be avoided.
Strong support for mechanisms to inform consumers about developments in biotechnology - including labelling of foods containing GM material. In recognition of international trade considerations, Government should seek international clarity in such labelling.
Need to recognise that the current case-by-case approach to control may result in a lack of analysis of the over-view. A body should be created to ensure that this overview is provided. The proposed Food Standards Agency might have a role to play.
Annexes to the report provide the following:
- 1.
Historical review of the development of plant breeding since 1694.
- 2.
Membership of relevant advisory committees:
Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification;
Advisory Committee on Releases into the Environment;
Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes;
Food Advisory Committee.
- 3.
Discussion on segregation and labelling.
Footnotes to the report provide useful explanation of key terms.
The URL for the report ishttp://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/st_pol40.htm
The Royal Society has moved on from its report on GM plants for food use(above) to establish an independent expert group "to review allegations that problems of allergenicity and toxicology may arise in GM plants". The outcomes from this group will be published on the Royal Society Internet site in due course.
The general URL for the Royal Society is http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/- the statement announcing the new group can best be accessed via the Press Releases and Royal Society News option on the opening menu.
The President of the Society, Sir Aaron Klug, has commented that "the Prime Minister and the Government are right in their determination not to be bullied into abandoning GMOs by emotion and fears, but are steadily trying to find out the facts through trials and experiments". (Quotation from speech to the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee - 23 February 1999.)
At the time of writing, the full text of Sir Aaron's speech is available from the Royal Society Web site at the following URL - http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/press/speech.htm
(Readers should note that the Royal Society is apparently using a very poor file reference in the above URL since it fails to identify which speech is referred to. Most organisations would use a referencing system that allows for future speeches to be added to the site without name conflicts for example the following systems might be used: ........../speech_01.htm - this could index all Royal Society speeches in sequential order; ........../speech_klug_01.htm - this could index all Sir Aaron's speeches; ........../speech_president_01.htm - this could index speeches by Sir Aaron and future presidents.
Alternatively, the Society may be intending the speech to have just a short-term presence.)
Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST). The IFST is the principal scientific and professional organisation for professional food scientists and food technologists in the UK.
IFST published (on its Web site) an independent technical review statement on GM foods in March 1996. This was revised in April 1998 and is likely to be revised again from time to time as new developments occur.
The GM statement (and all others from the IFST) is not intended to represent the views of any Government or of any section of the food industry, rather it is provided as a "best judgement" and independent view of this professional body on the basis of current scientific knowledge.
The URL for the IFST is http://www.easynet.co.uk/ifst/
Direct access to the GM foods report is via URL http://www.easynet.co.uk/ifst/hottop10.htm
2. Government
Legislation. It may appear that the UK Government passively favours the introduction of GM foods; however, in practice, the Government is largely tied by its commitments to the use of advice from independent scientific committees and the existence of European Union (EU) legislation in this area. Details of the regulatory procedures can be found at the following URL: http://www.maff. gov.uk/food/novel/nfrregn.htm
The key committee with respect to GM foods is the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP). The ACNFP Web site can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.maff.gov.uk/food/novel/acnfp.htm
The current legislation controlling the introduction of GM foods throughout the EU is a Regulation introduced early in 1997. (Publication details at the end of this article. EU Regulations are published in the Official Journal of the European Communities L Series - this is available via the Internet but only for a period of two months from date of publication. The URL for this window of opportunity is
However, the two principal GM foods currently available, Monsanto's GM soya and Novartis' GM maize, were approved prior to the introduction of the Novel Foods Regulation and hence were subject to different conditions. The most important difference was with regard to the requirement to label foods containing the GM ingredient.
The labelling anomaly was dealt with in 1998 in an EU regulation (1139/98)which requires labelling for foods from the two named GM sources. Although EU Regulations such as this are applicable throughout the EU without further national implementation, the details of enforcement in the UK have been the matter of consultation for some months. The outcome of the consultation is manifest in The Food Labelling (Amendment) Regulations 1999.
The full text of these regulations has been posted (in portable document format) to the following URL: http://www.maff.gov.uk/food/novel/labelreg.pdf
(Readers should note that it is not usual for the full text of new food regulations to be posted in this way - the posting most likely reflects the media attention (most of which, erroneously, talked about the introduction of new measures, rather than the enforcement of measures which have been in place for some months).)
Despite what has been stated above, the public perception (fuelled by partial media reports) may be one of anarchical and inadequate controls. This view has been rebutted from the top.
Comment from 10 Downing Street. In mid February 1999, the Prime Minister's official Internet site posted a detailed response to the many media comments and allegations made about GM foods. The responses provided seek to dispel the hype, myth and hysteria. The Number 10 site also includes an opportunity to contribute views to an on-line debate on the GM issue.
The URL for 10 Downing Street is http://number-10.gov.uk/
Concluding comment
It is accepted that the Web sites featured in this and the previous article have had a rather UK focus which reflects both the author's location and the current UK interest in this matter. Each of the reviewed sites is representative of a group that is active in the UK GM foods issue. A future article will consider GM-related sites from around the world.
Readers are reminded of the controversial nature of GM foods and the set of"rules" provided at the end of the previous report.
If you have identified a Web site likely to be of interest to readers of British Food Journal please contact the author of this series of articles as follows: email to stephen.fallows@luton.ac.ukFax to 01234 766926 or 01582 743237; by post at the University of Luton.
Stephen Fallows University of Luton
