Action Alert: Comments Needed on NAS Biotech Panel
March 31, 1999
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recently announced the
formation of a panel to conduct an urgent new study regarding
genetically modified crops containing pesticide genes, such as Bt
crops. The Academy has asked for public comment on the proposed
membership of the panel. There are serious problems with the
panel's composition, and we urge you to send comments to the
Academy by the April 6, 1999, deadline.
The stated purposes of this study are to review data which address
the hypothesized risks and benefits of pesticidal crops; to examine
the U.S. regulatory framework in light of identified scientific risks
and benefits; to examine U.S. domestic regulatory framework to
qualitatively assess social and economic impacts of existing statutes;
and to provide recommendations on what research is needed to
address scientific risks/benefits and, if warranted, the regulatory
framework for genetically modified pest resistant plants.
Studies by the NAS usually take about 18 months, but this study
will be conducted in a third of the time because of pressing
questions in need of answers, according to the study's director,
Michael Phillips. The urgency is apparently related to new
regulations being developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) on pesticidal plants, including Bt crops. Reportedly,
a group of scientists who have been working in this field
approached NAS and requested such a study because they fear that
new EPA regulations may be too broad and restrictive.
Environmentalists, consumer groups and sustainable agriculture
organizations, however, feel that these regulations are not adequate
to protect public health and the environment from potential negative
impacts.
Here are some general comments you can make in your letter to the
National Academy:
* The panel as it is currently constituted is weighted heavily in favor
of the biotechnology industry. The panel should be re-constituted to
reflect a full range of views of this technology. For example, the
committee should include agroecologists, population geneticists,
field ecologists and representatives of organic farming,
environmental and consumer interests. As presently composed, the
panel cannot address in a balanced manner the important and
complex tasks it has been assigned.
* The NAS must require panel members to divulge publicly conflict
of interest relationships with biotechnology firms, including
research contracts, consulting relationships, stock options and
clients. These conflicts must be published as part of the report.
To view committee membership and to send comments online, go to
the current projects page of the National Academy website:
www4.nas.edu/webcr.nsf/CommitteeDisplay/BANR-O-99-02-A?OpenDocument.
Be sure to cite the project identification number: BANR-O-99-02-A.
You can also send comments by regular mail to:
Michael Phillips, National Academy of Sciences, Board on
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Harris Bldg., Room 394, 2101
Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20418
Sources: Council for Responsible Genetics Action Alert, March 30,
1999. "Altered Crops Will Get Safety Review," St. Louis Post-
Dispatch, March 19, 1999.
Contact: PANNA.
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Phone: (415) 981-1771
Fax: (415) 981-1991
Email: panna@panna.org
Web: www.panna.org
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