Study: Transgenic and Organic Agriculture Cannot Coexist
July 4, 2008| |
A study conducted by a researcher of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona concluded that genetically modified maize and maize grown through organic agriculture cannot coexist due to social reasons. The study was part of the European project ALARM (Assessing Large Scale Risks for Biodiversity with Testing Methods) and analyzes the application of coexistence between genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and conventional organic agriculture in the European Union. The concept of coexistence introduced by the European Commission should make it possible to operate freely in the market while reducing the political conflicts linked to GMOs.
Researcher Rosa Binimelis examined the situation in Catalonia and Aragon, where the commercial cultivation of transgenic crops began in 1998. Binimelis found out that cultivation of transgenic maize led to a decrease in the area allotted for organic cultivation of this grain. This is in part due to the social confrontation between proponents and opponents of GM technology regarding the consequences it can have and the measures to be taken in regulating and taking responsibility for any cases of admixture. Finally, organic farmers would also face difficulties in claiming compensation if admixture took place due to technical reasons.
The complete article is available at http://www.uab.es/servlet/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1096476786473&pagename=UAB%2FPage%2FTemplatePlanaDivsNoticiesdetall¬iciaid=1214462302153.
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