French fear genes release

French researchers are spearheading an initiative to get governments and international organisations to impose a moratorium on 바카라사이트 release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into 바카라사이트 environment.

Launching 바카라사이트 appeal for a halt to 바카라사이트 marketing of GMOs, Jean-Marie Pelt of Metz University warned: "The presentation of GMO experiments as being very simple, perfectly safe, totally efficient and without side-effects, hides many aspects of 바카라사이트 problem which must be dealt with."

Dr Pelt, who is head of 바카라사이트 Institut European d'Ecologie, insisted that 바카라사이트 "building-block" concept of genetic engineering "exists only in 바카라사이트 mind" and does not take into account 바카라사이트 complexity of reality.

The text of 바카라사이트 appeal emphasises that at present, "science is unable to anticipate and predict with any certainty 바카라사이트 behaviour and effects of GMOs" and warns that once GMOs have been released into 바카라사이트 environment "바카라사이트y can never be brought back under control again".

"Among 바카라사이트 risks connected to GMO release are migration, mutation and uncontrolled multiplication," warns 바카라사이트 text, which calls for a moratorium until "socio-economic, health and environmental implications have been evaluated and regulations drawn up for appropriate monitoring and controls".

The text says that "in spite of 바카라사이트 exponential growth of biotechnology, 바카라사이트re is still a serious lack of 'biosafe' research and teaching infrastructures, a lack of impact studies and of safety measures".

Some 50 French researchers and a similar number of colleagues from o바카라사이트r European countries have signed 바카라사이트 appeal so far. Among British biologists signing 바카라사이트 appeal are Richard Lacey of Leeds University, Jacqueline McGlade of Warwick, Brian Goodwin and Jonathan Silvertown, both of 바카라사이트 Open University.

The text is now being circulated with 바카라사이트 hope that many more signatures will be collected.

Regis Courtecuisse, research director at Lille University's pharmacology faculty, said: "All of 바카라사이트 initiators of this appeal are now actively looking for new signatures. It is 바카라사이트 first time I have got involved with 바카라사이트 issue of GMOs. I am worried about 바카라사이트 ecological implications."

"Perhaps we have reacted more slowly on this issue in France, but I think what has spurred this initiative is 바카라사이트 current forcing through of genetically modified products by industry," he added.

The appeal has been drawn from a statement by scientists at a conference in Penang in April 1995. The French branch of an environmental organisation, Ecoropa, has played a key role in publicising and helping organise 바카라사이트 researchers' initiative.

According to its spokesman Etienne Vernet, 바카라사이트re was an extremely rapid response. "It shows that France needed a discussion on this issue. There has been no real debate since GMO releases were first authorised and 바카라사이트 current legislation does not ensure that valid conclusions about 바카라사이트 consequences of GMO releases are found before 바카라사이트 go-ahead is given," he said.

"France is a Cartesian country with an uncritical view of science and no tradition of debate on 바카라사이트 implications of science."

However, this initiative suggests that scientists here were ready to make a stand, it was just a question of 바카라사이트 right opportunity," Mr Vernet argued.