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August
29, 2002
NYTimes.com
Article: The United States offered to help Zambia assess the safety
of genetically modified grain, after the Southern African nation
rejected donations despite an impending food crisis.
NYT
By
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LUSAKA,
Zambia, Aug. 28 (AP) - The United States offered today to help
Zambia assess the safety of genetically modified grain, after the
Southern African nation rejected donations despite an impending food crisis.
Almost
2.5 million Zambians are reportedly in danger of starvation if they
do not get help quickly, but the government is worried that the food
might be a health risk.
Zambia
also fears that farmers may try to plant the biotech grains,
contaminating the country's crops and possibly threatening exports to
countries with restrictions on genetically modified crops.
Washington
has offered to help Zambia set up its own biotechnology facility so
scientists can research genetically modified foods, said Andrew
Natsios, the director of the United States Agency for International
Development. The United States will also provide Zambia data
collected by its own scientists, he said. Mr. Natsios made the offer
at a meeting with President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia during a two-day
visit to the country.
Mr.
Natsios maintained that genetically modified food is safe, saying
Americans eat it every day.
Full
Story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/29/international/africa/29ZAMB.html?tntemail1
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