International disagreements over the safety of genetically modified products are complicating efforts to police the trade in such goods, officials said yesterday at a UN-sponsored conference on biotechnology safety.
Government officials, scientists and environmentalists from more than 80 countries were starting a five-day meeting to debate the potential hazards of biotech goods -- as well as trade regulations, labeling, cross-border transport and the use of genetically modified organisms.
The Kuala Lumpur meeting is the first of its kind since the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety -- an international accord aimed at protecting the diversity of Earth's life from possible biotechnology risks -- came into force last September.
Malaysian Science, Technology and Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding said biotech supporters claim the technology is a potential remedy for the world's food production problems, but critics worry about long-term health and environmental consequences.
"The potential to create new genetic combinations, and the relatively limited experience we have of such organisms, warrant national and international regulation," he said.
Hamdallah Zedan, executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, said countries were working to fully implement biotech trade rules by late 2005. But some lack funds to set up the new customs offices and laboratories they would need, he said.
Genetically engineered crops are increasing worldwide, especially in the US, which hasn't signed the Cartagena Protocol, but is instead lobbying worldwide for loose labeling requirements -- or none -- for products with genetically modified ingredients.
A US observer team is attending the talks, where many nations, especially EU members, are hoping to crystallize rules to ensure countries get sufficient information before agreeing to allow genetically modified organisms and products into their territories.
Environmentalists warned that efforts to standardize such guidelines were being held up because the major exporters of genetically modified organisms -- including the US, Canada, Argentina and Australia -- haven't ratified the Cartagena Protocol.
"The US is trying to impose its standards on the rest of the world," said Juan Lopez of Friends of the Earth International. "Products containing GM organisms should be clearly identified and labeled to guarantee consumers the right to choose."
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