Feedback needed on new gene tech regulations

Australasian Biotechnology, Volume 7 Number 1, January/February 1997, pp. 24 Feedback needed on new gene tech regulations David Tribe, Melbourne Code Number: AU97005 Size of Files: Text: 4.6K Graphics: No associated graphics files ANZFA (Australia New Zealand Food Authority) has recently issued an information paper on their proposed new regulations concerning "Foods Derived from Gene Technology". There is one puzzling feature of their draft proposal. "Gene technology" is specifically defined in their documents so as to exclude the products of hybridisation, protoplast fusion and mutagenic techniques from being regulated. Since their draft paper mentions worries about introduction of new allergens into foods as a significant concern, and since such allergy problems could well result from protoplast based crosses (of wild grass genomes with cereal crops for instance) one is left wondering about the seriousness and logic of the arguments about allergenicity contained in the ANZFA proposals. Copyright 1997 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd