Finland wants more GM testing in Nordic cold
Date: 13-Jun-01
Country: FINLAND
Most existing research has been done in warm southern climates, and officials of the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) said Nordic conditions had been overlooked.
State agency SYKE said its studies showed gene manipulation could have different effects in the cold. Some GM bacteria could, for example, go into hibernation and reactivate in warmer conditions.
"Research is the only way we will be able to have any influence when production becomes an issue," Marja Ruohonen-Lehto, senior advisor at SYKE told a news conference. "Research is the only way we can assess risk."
Tests should be done first in laboratories then on natural test sites, she said.
Green activists said tests should not be continued as there was no guarantee GM seeds and bacteria would not escape test areas and contaminate the natural environment.
Global GM crop production began in 1993 with the United States, Argentina, Canada and China now the biggest harvesters.
There is no commercial GM plant production in Finland, but SYKE chemicals division manager Esa Nikunen said that about 20 laboratories around the country were testing gene-modified birch trees, potatoes, rape, and turnip rape.
SYKE said it was especially concerned about the unpredictable effects of gene modification. The possible spread of seeds and bacteria to related species living in the wild was another concern.
Further research also needed to be done into secondary effects of genetic manipulation, such as microbes and insects developing a higher level of resistance to pesticides and antibiotics.
Two-thirds of Finland is forested, and environmental groups are concerned the introduction of genetically modified trees, even in research conditions, could spoil the country's reputation for clean timber.
Ruohonen-Lehto hesitated when an anti-GM campaigner asked whether there were any safe end-uses for genetically modified trees.
"It is in everyone's interest that Finnish nature stays as (untouched as) it is," Ruohonen-Lehto said.