March 25, 2005

South Korea suspected to have received unauthorised GM corn

Several hundred tonnes of genetically modified corn which is supposed to be unauthorized for sale in the market is feared to be flooding the markers in Korea as animal fodder.

US officials stated that these corns were not harmful to humans or environment. However organizations opposing these corn states that the corn is yet to be tested and approved to be harmless. They also alerted the biotech companies making such corns to be more careful in order to control the flow into the markets for consumption.

These corns which are spliced with bacteria genes (Bt10) to make it resistant from pest as said to be sold by Syngenta by mixing it with Bt11 which is an approved product.

Korean Food administrations stated that there was no possibility of these corns being sold for human consumption. However it was not possible to keep track to check if it entered animal fodder.

A spokesperson from the US Environmental Protection Agency stated there did not seems to be any safety hazards with Bt10 but the FDA and other related bodies were investigating to see if Syngenta violated the law.