June 18, 1999

Consumers, farmers and developing nations soon could gain "tremendous benefits" from biotechnology, according to speakers at a symposium organized by American Agri-Women. Scientists also took the opportunity to debunk recent reports that Bt corn threatens the existence of the monarch butterfly.

In the face of growing opposition to genetically modified food products, Karil Kochenderfer, Grocery Manufacturers of America official, said she anticipates biotechnology will provide consumers with "fresher, more abundant produce and greater food choices on a year round basis." Michael Fumento, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, said, "With so much to offer the already undernourished, yet growing population of the third world, biotech crops will provide a godsend."

Scientists who addressed the symposium said the effects of Bt corn on the monarch butterfly is a laboratory induced phenomena that has not turned up in real world growing conditions. Sharan Lanini, California agriculturist, said biotechnology "is merely a quicker and better way for scientists to develop new varieties."

Lanini added, "Even the Cornell University scientists who did the force feeding study on the butterflies admit that the interpretation of the study should not be over-extended as now is the case with the press hysteria over the study." Nevertheless, the butterfly results have raised questions about the biotech industry's longstanding claims that genetically modified organisms are completely safe.

Alice Dettwyler, American Agri-Women vice president for vital issues, said genetically modified organisms provide "a shrinking number of farmers with the tools to produce a safe and abundant food supply for the world."

American Agri-Women is a coalition of individual members and 54 state and commodity organizations promoting agriculture for the global benefit.