More Than 200 International Scientists Vouch for Benefits, Safety of BT Corn in the Philippines; Letter to President Arroyo Released 5/20/2003
From: Dr. C.S. Prakash of Agbioworld Foundation, 334-663-1511 or email: prakash@agbioworld.org; http://www.agbioworld.org/ AUBURN, Ala., May 20 -- An international declaration attesting to the safety and benefits of agricultural biotechnology has been sent to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on behalf of more than 200 scientists from around the world.The declaration posted at http://www.agbioworld.org/biotech_info/articles/soundscience.html was accompanied by a letter of praise for the President's ongoing support of research, development and commercialization biotechnology-derived crops in the Philippines, according to C.S. Prakash, Ph.D., president of Agbioworld Foundation Inc.The "Sound Science -- Not Silence" declaration, which has been signed by more than 200 scientists from around the world, details scientific facts about positive environmental, economic and health impacts of agricultural biotechnology, especially that of insect-resistant corn which recently received full planting approval in the Philippines in December 2002. "As the first major season of planting Bt corn gets underway in the Philippines, it is important to ensure that dialogue based on sound science continues, instead of unsubstantiated and misleading information," said Prakash. "Sound science, not silence, must prevail."The declaration states "The reality is that crops developed through plant biotechnology are among the most well-tested, well-characterized, and well-regulated food and fiber products ever developed. This is the overwhelming consensus of the international scientific community, including the Royal Society, National Academy of Sciences, the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the European Commission, the French Academy of Medicine, and the American Medical Association."More than 3500 scientists from 60 countries, including 20 Nobel laureates, have signed an earlier, broader AgBioWorld Foundation petition in support of agricultural biotechnology. Details are at http://www.agbioworld.org.------The AgBioWorld Foundation (http://www.agbioworld.org) is a non-profit organization based in Auburn, Ala., that provides information to teachers, journalists, policymakers, and the general public about developments in plant science, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture.Contact: Dr. C. S. Prakash at prakash@agbioworld.org; phone: 334-663-1511 | |