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October 12, 2004
Biotech Farming Sidebar
The Candidates' Positions
By Robert Mullins
Given the debates about Iraq, terrorism and the economy, the U.S. presidential candidates don’t make much time to discuss genetically modified agriculture. You have to look hard through their speeches or Web sites to determine their positions.
Newsdesk.org is more than willing to do the work for you:
George W. Bush:
Supports biotech farming, says it will produce more food for export. Opposes European ban on biotech food imports. Under Bush, the U.S. wants to export biotech grain to African nations to fight hunger. But African farmers are reluctant to grow biotech crops if Europe won’t accept the exports, Mr. Bush said to a biotech industry convention in June 2003:
“Acting on unfounded, unscientific fears, many European governments have blocked the import of all new biotech crops. For the sake of a continent threatened by famine, I urge the European governments to end their opposition to biotechnology.”
John Kerry:
Will redouble government efforts to make sure biotechnology is safe for human consumption and safe for the environment, according to a position paper released in July.
Kerry said he will give government agencies the power they need to effectively regulate genetically modified food products, both before and after going to market. He said he supports farmers' rights to use safe, approved, and regulated technologies.
Ralph Nader:
Endorses the recommendations of the Center for Food Safety on biotechnology, according to the campaign Web site.
The Center seeks to halt the approval, commercialization or release of any new genetically engineered crops until they have been thoroughly tested and found safe for human health and the environment. It advocates labeling of any foods that already contain genetically engineered ingredients, and advocates the containment and reduction of existing genetically engineered crops.
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