| CSIRO welcomes
gene conference outcome |
12 March 1999
The first Australian Consensus Conference on Gene Technology in the Food Chain has
produced a report that is sensible, well-considered and valuable for Australian science,
the chief executive of CSIRO, Dr Malcolm McIntosh said
today.
The Consensus Conference's main recommendation is the creation of an independent statutory
authority, a Gene Technology Office, to oversee the introduction of gene-modified products
into the food chain and environment.
This GTO would be primarily responsible for issues such as human health and ethics, and
environmental risk assessment. It would encompass views from consumers, industry,
government and science.
The conference endorsed the labelling of all gene modified foods so that consumers would
have free choice, and called for enhanced public information provided by government so the
public understands more about what it is choosing.
"We welcome these findings because, in certain respects, they echo the sort of things
we have been saying within CSIRO for some years," Dr McIntosh says.
"Gene technology is vital to Australia's future, our environment and our competitive
position in the world, but it needs the certainty of effective regulatory arrangements and
public confidence in its safety and effectiveness. This report endorses that view."
CSIRO is committed to playing a valuable, careful and ethical role in gene technology, and
using it to help provide a clean, safe food supply, novel materials and products and a
sustainable environment, he says.
"As the national science agency, we felt it was important for CSIRO to consult and
listen carefully to what a group of well-briefed but typical Australian citizens has to
say on this issue.
"CSIRO will be treating their opinions and conclusions with respect and seriousness.
I expect they will be most useful in helping us to shape our national research strategy
and capture the benefits of this technology for Australia."
Dr McIntosh says CSIRO was one of the early supporters of the Consensus Conference concept
because it recognises that major scientific advances present the community with momentous
changes, and new concerns as well as fresh opportunities.
"We acknowledge and respect public interest and concern on issues such as gene
technology. We are committed to consulting with the community and industry and listening
to their points of view, as well as helping to inform them better about our scientific
advances and science issues.
"CSIRO presently complies with all guidelines laid down by Government for the conduct
of gene techology. However we recognise this is an area undergoing rapid change and
development - and we will certainly comply with all new laws, regulations and codes as
they are determined by Australian governments in future."
Dr McIntosh says that, based on an initial appraisal of the Consensus Conference process,
it has proved impressive in coming to grips with an extraordinarily complex issue and
reaching a conclusion that achieved a fair balance between the various points of view.
"We definitely feel it was a valuable and informative process, for CSIRO as well as
for the community, and we commend the fourteen members of the citizen panel and the
Australian Museum for their efforts," he said.
More information:
Dr Malcolm McIntosh, CSIRO 02 6276 6621
Julian Cribb, CSIRO 02 276 6244 or 0418 639 245
Email: malcolm.mcintosh@exec.csiro.au
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(Australia's largest scientific research organisation)N1704 |
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