ISU reasercher disputes report on U-S biotech policy

A report issued by the Consumer Federation of America concludes the U-S has a “hands-off” system for regulating ag biotechnology that is “openly pro-business.” Iowa State University grain quality expert Charles Hurburgh disagrees.Hurburgh recently served on a panel of scientists appointed by the federal government to evaluate StarLink corn. That’s the corn which has been found in food, but is restricted for use as animal feed. The Consumer Federation’s report suggests the U-S has a “laissez faire” approach to regulating genetically modified products like StarLink. Hurburgh says U-S regulations are often different from those in other countries. He says the U-S system requires a much greater level of scientific input and much less political input than in Europe and Asia.Yesterday, the Consumer Federation of American issued a 250-page report that was critical of the way the United States regulates genetically-modified food and crops.