Posted on: Sunday, March 2, 2003

EDITORIAL
Genetic corn decision a boon for the Islands

A decision by the the Environmental Protection Agency to allow the sale of genetically altered pest-resistant corn could be big news for Hawai'i's agricultural industry.

The EPA has granted Monsanto Co. rights to grow the altered corn on millions of acres on the Mainland. Most of the corn would go into animal feed.

The big news for Hawai'i is that much of the work in developing this high-tech corn occurs here. This business is not only high-tech, it is potentially very high-profit.

Opponents worry that genetically altered crops could cross-pollinate or otherwise "infect" non-altered plants. There are also concerns that the altered qualities of the corn could be harmful once it gets into humans.

It is important that genetically altered plants be kept separated from close cousins that we do not wish to see become pest-resistant. That is primarily a matter of careful monitoring. As for harm to humans, plants are changing all the time, whether through genetic manipulation or simple cross-breeding.

The big picture, however, is this: Against these relatively small, containable and theoretical risks are the direct economic and environmental advantages of this new breed of corn.

Scientists say using this corn could avoid the distribution of literally millions of pounds of toxic pesticides that are now being used. Removing those pesticides will have immediate benefits both for the environment and for human health.