WASHINGTON -- A month after declaring that StarLink genetically modified corn didn't cause allergic reactions in test subjects, the government warned a doctor not to eat it at a hearing on the matter, citing concern for his safety.

The Environmental Protection Agency wrote to Florida optometrist Keith Finger, who participated in the government study of the corn, asking him not to eat StarLink at a coming hearing before EPA advisers. The agency said it couldn't "be responsible for ensuring your safety."

"While technically, a demonstrable allergic reaction could be relevant, EPA does not believe that the presentation you suggest would be appropriate for a number of reasons. Foremost among these is concern for your well-being, if you were to have a reaction," the letter said. "Notwithstanding your intent to use an antidote, there is no guarantee that its use would adequately protect you."

An EPA official said the agency opposes Dr. Finger eating the StarLink-contaminated food because he might have an allergic reaction to something other than StarLink. The official noted that the letter from EPA does not explicitly forbid Dr. Finger from eating the StarLink at the meeting. It says it "it is not clear how [the advisers] could include such a presentation in their deliberations."

The letter said Dr. Finger can make a presentation regarding "published data, physician reports or other information."

StarLink maker Aventis SA, a Strasbourg, France, pharmaceuticals group, no longer licenses U.S. seed companies to market StarLink seeds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in June there is no evidence that StarLink caused the allergic reactions people said they experienced after eating food made with StarLink corn.

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