Posted on: Monday, July 4, 2005

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Science Writer

A global battle continues to rage over whether foods containing ingredients from genetically modified crops ought to be so labeled.

Producers are understandably concerned that, given the choice, many consumers would opt for non-GMO (genetically modified organism) food items. In the words of the Biotechnology Industry Association, labeling would "communicate to consumers nothing relevant to health, safety, or nutrition, and indeed serve only to confuse and mislead consumers."

The organization suggests that existing "organic" labels may be sufficient to allow consumers to determine that foods are GMO-free.

But labeling is gaining support. The European Union has a GMO-labeling requirement. Alaska is looking at this issue from the other side and has required that GMO fish products be labeled to distinguish them from the wild-caught fish that are a significant part of the state's economy.

One of the issues in the GMO food battle is the argument that an allergen might be inserted into a crop product, and that consumers with specific allergies have more than a right — they have a need — to know what's in their food.

In an attempt to make a more nutritious soybean, the Pioneer Hi-Bred company inserted genetic material from Brazil nuts, which cause allergic reactions in some people. It turned out the gene that scientists put into the soy was also the allergen that makes some people sick.

"Pioneer discontinued all field testing and destroyed all plant material and seeds not held for laboratory study. No seed or material was ever intended for, or entered, the human food supply," the firm said.

Pioneer says the process may work the other way as well. Through genetic engineering, researchers may be able to find ways to remove from crops those specific things to which people are allergic. Japanese researchers are looking into developing hypoallergenic rice, and U.S. scientists are working on nonallergenic peanuts and soybeans.

The University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources reviews both sides of the GMO labeling issue at its Web site: www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gmo/intro.

Other resources are the Biotechnology Industry Association at www.bio.org/foodag; GMO-Free Hawai'i at www.higean.org; and the Hawai'i Organic Farmers Association at www.hawaiiorganicfarmers.org/GMO.html.

If you have a question or concern about the Hawaiian environment, contact Jan TenBruggencate at P.O. Box 524, Lihu'e, HI 96766; jant@honoluluadvertiser.com; or (808) 245-3074.