BONN, Germany, September 27, 2001 (ENS) - Germany's Senate Commission on Genetic Research has come down on the positive side of genetically modified crops. Using genetically modified plants and micro-organisms in food production helps to ensure food security for the world population and to protect sustainable agriculture, according to a new report edited by the commission.

The central public funding organization for academic research in Germany, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), issued the statement on genetic engineering and food Monday, and is now publicizing it to the political and scientific communities.

In the works since January, the statement has been agreed to by the Senate Commission on Food Safety and is to appear as a bilingual publication in German and English. It focuses on food from transgenic plants. Animal food is to be dealt with at a later time in a separate publication.

The report comes at a time when the genetically engineered production of animal and plant based food is a controversial matter of public debate, Professor Dr. Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker, DFG president acknowledges in the report. +ACI-Gene food+ACI- or +ACI-Frankenstein food+ACI- are the pejorative terms for food that contains components made from genetically modified plants or micro-organisms, he points out.

A campaign to create a network of areas in Europe free of genetically modified (GM) crops is being organized by the Green and European Free Alliance parties in the European Parliament. There is frustration among proponents of GM-free zones that GM crops cannot currently be banned at the local level even where there is public support for such a move.

In January, the German government unexpectedly and without warning suspended talks with biotechnology firms aimed at rolling out a three year program of monitored field testing of genetically modified (GM) crops. The industry had been expecting an agreement which would have launched controlled test plantings of GM corn over hundreds of acres this spring.

In its report, the commission deals with the objectives, application and legal framework of genetic engineering. It comments on conceivable risks resulting from the cultivation and consumption of genetically modified plants or food and refers to safety precautions to protect the consumer.

Biologically modified food has to fulfill the same safety requirements as traditional products, the commission said, +ACI-so potential risks have to be identified and assessed at an early stage.+ACI-

In comparison with conventional varieties, transgenic plants are resistant to pests and diseases, have an improved herbicide tolerance and thrive in unfavorable environmental conditions, the commission said. The report commented positively on the efficiency of transgenic micro-organisms used as producers of metabolic products and enzymes and as fermentation aids.

The Senate commission recommends sticking to the +ACI-tried and tested regulations+ACI- on tests mandated by the law on genetic engineering and food. The commission is urging a uniform implementation of national and European guidelines supplemented by provisions covering genetically modified seed for animal feed and food.

+ACI-Technical realization of open-field experiments with genetically modified plants does not require any modification,+ACI- the commission said, and called for risk assessment to be carried out on a case by case basis.

Private companies are responsible for 80 percent of research investments in agricultural biotechnology, and this increasing privatization of research requires +ACI-a fundamental reconsideration of the modes of cooperation between publicly and privately funded research,+ACI- the commission said.

+ACI-The increasing activity of biotechnology companies in research, development, and production of seeds, their legitimate request for industrial property rights - patents and/or protection of cultivar and varieties - as well as the emerging market concentration in this area should put no strains on co-operation with developing countries. Rather, this should lead to improved plant breeding and cultivation in these countries,+ACI- the commission decided.

With this report, the commission is calling for +ACI-a constructive dialogue between scientists and consumers.+ACI- Only with the approval of the public at large can the food industry benefit from genetic engineering methods in a responsible way, the commission said.

During its curent six months presidency of the European Union, Belgium hopes to reach political agreement on traceability and labeling rules for genetically modified crops. Belgian officials admit that this will not be easy given the current negative attitude of some member states towards the technology. This German commission report moves in the direction of such an agreement.

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