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GE - news 15 / 3

1) First official results of the global experiment are in - soya allergies 
2) FOOL PLATE SPECIAL 
3) DuPont agrees to buy Pioneerfor $7.7bln-WSJ
4) Compulsory licenses and access to essential medicines
5) Please note that our [genetics concern] web-site address has moved to 
<http://www.vibrantplanet.com/geneticconcern>http://www.vibrantplanet.com/g
eneticconcern/ 
6)FOCUS-Germany, Britain say science leads on GM foods
7) UK govt denies pressure for genetic crops freeze@ (adds comment 
from Downing Street)
8) French environmentalists want longer gene crop ban
9) Three-year UK genetic crops freeze said imminent

=====================

1) First official results of the global experiment are in - soya allergies 
dramatically increased in the last year. Prime 
suspect - GM soya! Stand up Monsanto - where is your insurance??? 
We wait eagerly for the Health Ministers rebuttal. 
York Nutritional Laboratory has had a busy day on the phone, but if the 
media in your country want to follow this up they 
are happy to be contacted. 
Tel: +44 1904 690640
======================
Daily Express 12 March 99 
Why soya is a hidden destroyer
Exclusive by Mark Townsend
Fresh fears over the safety of genetically modified foods surfaced faced 
yesterday after new research revealed that 
food allergies relating to soya Increased by 50 per cent last year
A study by Europe's leading specialists on food sensitivity found health 
complaints caused by soya - the 
ingredient most associated with GM foods - have increased from 10 in 100 
patients to 15 in 100 over the past 
year. Researchers at the York Nutritional Laboratory said their findings 
provide real evidence that GM food 
could have a tangible, harmful impact on the human body
The findings were sent to Health Secretary Frank Dobson last night as 
scientists urged the Government to act on the 
information and impose an instant ban on GM food, while further safety 
tests are carried out. Dr Michael Antoniou, senior 
lecturer in molecular pathology at Guy's Hospital, Central London,, said: 
"This is a very interesting if slightly worrying, 
development. "It points to the fact that far more work is needed to assess 
their safety. At the moment no allergy tests are 
carried out before GM foods are marketed and that also needs to be looked at."
John Graham, spokesman for the York laboratory, said: "We believe this 
raises serious new questions about the safety of 
GM foods because it is impossible to guarantee that the soya used in the 
tests was GM-free." It is the first time in 17 years 
of testing that soya has crept into the laboratory's top 10 foods to cause 
an allergic reaction in consumers. The vegetable 
has moved up four places to ninth end now sits alongside foodstuffs with a 
long history of causing allergies, such as 
yeast, sunflower seeds and nuts
Mr. Graham said researchers tested 4,500 people for allergic reactions to 
vegetables including soya. Among the range of 
chronic illnesses it caused were irritable bowel syndrome, digestiontion 
problems and skin complaints including acne and 
eczema. 
"People also suffered neurological problems with chronic fatigue syndrome, 
headaches and lethargy. It is worrying," Mr 
Graham added. Researchers measured the levels of antibodies in a person's 
blood. If increased levels were detected it 
showed the person suffered an adverse reaction to a particular food.
Soya, the wonder crop of the 20th century is found in 60 per cent of all 
processed foods sold in the UK - from bread to 
baby food, ready-to-eat curries to vegetarian lasagne. But because GM and 
natural soya are mixed at source in America - 
the world's biggest supplier - it has become increasingly difficult for 
retailers to guarantee the purity of any products.
Last month campaigners from Greenpeace dumped four tons of GM soya beans 
from America at the gates of Downing 
Street in protest. The Consumers' Association yesterday renewed its demand 
for the Government to investigate the safety 
of GM foods. A spokesman said: "We just don't know what health problems 
could arise in the future. Waitrose yesterday 
announced that it would be stocking its own-label GM-free foods by the end 
of the month. Managing director David 
Felwick said: "We believe customers should be able to make an informed 
choice about the products they are buying."
=====================
Mar 15, 1999
2) FOOL PLATE SPECIAL 
An Investment Opinion 
by Warren Gump
Pioneer Hi-Bred Harvested by DuPont
Chemical giant DuPont (NYSE:DD - news) this morning announced plans 
to acquire Pioneer Hi-Bred International (NYSE:PHB - news) , the world 
leader in selling corn seeds. DuPont will pay $40 a share in cash and stock
for

the 80% of Pioneer that it doesn't already own. After rising $9 13/16
Friday on

news of discussions between the two companies, Pioneer rose an additional 
$3 5/8 to $37 15/16 this morning. DuPont was down $1 13/16 to $55 15/16.
This acquisition culminates a year of significant consolidation in the 
agricultural seed market. Last year, Monsanto (NYSE:MTC - news) 
completed the purchase of Dekalb Genetics, which like Pioneer sells corn and 
soybean seeds, and announced plans to acquire Delta & Pine Land 
(NYSE:DLP - news) , the leader in cotton seeds.
Although paying a hefty 35x 1999 estimated earnings, DuPont's timing in 
making this acquisition is somewhat opportunistic. Pioneer's stock has fallen 
from over $43 last May because of weakness in the U.S. agricultural markets. 
In addition, Monsanto can't compete for Pioneer because it is burdened by the 
leverage assumed to pull off last year's purchases. Finally, rumors were 
circulating that DuPont was contemplating a merger with Monsanto. If that 
were to occur, the combined company probably couldn't pursue Pioneer due to 
antitrust concerns, leaving Pioneer standing alone against a gigantic, 
deep-pocketed competitor.
Strong financial resources and excellent research and development are two key 
ingredients for a successful seed company. The most profitable products are 
hybrids and genetically engineered products that meet the specific needs of 
customers. Developing these new seeds requires cutting-edge genetic 
knowledge, in addition to significant amounts of money. Pioneer will now be 
in position to compete even more aggressively. Combining DuPont's financial 
and intellectual resources with its own market leading position should help 
Pioneer become an even more important player in the seed and agricultural 
genetics business.

===========
Monday March 15, 2:28 am Eastern Time
3) DuPont agrees to buy Pioneerfor $7.7bln-WSJ
NEW YORK, March 15 (Reuters) - DuPont Co. (NYSE:DD - news) has reached an 
agreement to buy Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. for cash and stock in a 
deal valued at about $7.7 billion, the Wall Street Journal said in its 
Monday issue.
The newspaper cited sources close to the talks.
The country's biggest seed company's directors met late on Sunday and 
approved the offer, people close to the discussions told the newspaper.
DuPont is expected to pay $40 a share for the 80 percent of the Des Moines, 
Iowa, company it does not already own.
The chemical company bought 20 percent of Pioneer in 1997 in a move to 
become a larger player in life sciences,and there has been ongoing 
speculation DuPont would raise its stake.
On Friday, Pioneer had said it was in possible merger talks with the 
chemical company, marking a sharp turn in its earlier stance that it wanted 
to stay independent.
Pioneer's stock has been climbing amid optimism DuPont would indeed buy the 
seed seller. It closed Friday up $9.19 to $34.31 on the New York Stock 
Exchange.
The deal represents an 80 percent premium on where Pioneer's stock was 
trading last week.
Analysts had said if such a deal were completed, it would put DuPont in 
direct competition with Monsanto Co. (NYSE:MTC - news), which bought the 
country's second largest seed company, DeKalb Genetics Corp.
With this deal, Pioneer will operate as a unit of DuPont, with its 
management remaining in Des Moines, the Wall Street Journal said.
Pioneer's Chief Executive Charles Johnson would continue to head the Pioneer 
unit, the newspaper reported.
DuPont's stock closed down 38 cents at $57.75 Friday on the New York Stock 
Exchange.
Neither company's officials could be reached for comment immediately.
======================

<http://www.cptech.org/march99-cl/pr1.html>http://www.cptech.org/march99-cl
/pr1.html
Press Release
For Additional Information, contact
Nathan Ford, MSF London, at: 44.171.713.5600 
Jamie Love, CPT, Washington, DC 202.387.8030 
Bas van der Heide, HAI, Amsterdam, 31.20.683.3684

4) Compulsory licenses and access to essential medicines 
NGO-sponsored meeting 
Geneva, 26 March 1999
Geneva, March 1999. The role of compulsory licensing[1] of patents in 
broadening access to essential medicines will be examined in a meeting 
sponsored by Medecins Sans Frontieres, Health Action International and 
the Consumer Project on Technology. 'We are very concerned about the 
growing number of lives at risk because of unequal access to medicines' 
says Dr Bernard Pecoul of Medecins Sans Frontieres. The meeting will 
include discussion of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa and Thailand, and 
other instances where compulsory licensing of medical patents may be 
appropriate for public health reasons.
Compulsory licensing is a legal mechanism used for both patents and 
copyrights in a wide range of fields such as computers, nuclear energy, 
music recordings and biotechnology. However, the use of compulsory 
licensing for HIV/AIDS drugs or other essential medicines is 
controversial: 
pharmaceutical companies and some governments in the industrialized 
countries have opposed the use of compulsory licensing for essential 
medicines. This is the subject of current international trade disputes 
involving the US, Thailand, South Africa and other countries.
Public health and consumer groups, governments of industrialized and 
developing countries, pharmaceutical companies, and international 
organizations such as the World Trade Organization and the World Health 
Organization will take part in discussions on compulsory licensing of 
patents to essential medical technologies at the NGO-sponsored meeting. 
'The issue of compulsory licensing is too important to leave to patent 
officers and trade officials. The public health community has to get 
involved', explains Bas van der Heide of Health Action International.
Public health groups expect that some of these disputes will be put to 
the World Trade Organization which can review the acceptability of 
compulsory licensing under the international agreement on Trade Related 
Aspects of Intellectual Property.
'This meeting is important because of the alarming rise of communicable 
diseases in recent years' says James Love of the Consumer Project on 
Technology. 'There is a vast disparity in world income and access to 
essential medicines. New global trade agreements which set international 
norms on the protection of intellectual property should address the 
problems of access for the poor.'
In May of this year the World Health Assembly will meet in Geneva and 
discuss a resolution which addresses WHO's role in monitoring health 
implications of trade agreements and cooperation with the World Trade 
Organization on matters concerning trade and public health.
------------ 
[1] Compulsory licensing is defined by WHO as "when [a] judicial or 
administrative authority is allowed by law to grant a license, without 
permission from the holder, on various grounds of general interest." 
-------------

The meeting will take place in the Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, 
Switzerland on March 26, 1999, 9.00-17.00. Members of the press are 
invited to attend the meeting. Registration is obligatory for security 
reasons.
To register for the meeting contact Marie Paule Pierotti at MSF:
Tel 41-22-849-8400 
MSF-International-GVA@geneva.msf.org
Further information can be obtained from
Bas Van der Heide 
Health Action International 
Tel +31.20.683.3684 Fax +31.20.685.5002 
bas@hai.antenna.nl
Dr. Bernard Pecoul 
Medecins Sans Frontieres 
Tel +33(0)1.60.62.26.33, Fax +33(0)1 40.21.29.62 
bpecoul@msf.org
James Love 
Consumer Project on Technology 
Tel 202.387.8030, Fax 202.234.5176 
love@cptech.org
A web page for the meeting is on the Internet at: 
<http://www.cptech.org/march99-cl>http://www.cptech.org/march99-cl
Background information about compulsory licensing of is on the web at: 
<http://www.cptech.org/ip/health/cl>http://www.cptech.org/ip/health/cl

Medecins Sans Frontieres is the world's largest independent medical 
relief 
organization, providing care to victims of war, disasters and epidemics 
in 
80 countries world-wide. (<http://www.msf.org/>http://www.msf.org)
Health Action International is an informal network of more than 200 
consumer, health, development action and other public interest groups 
involved in health and pharmaceutical issues world-wide. 
(<http://www.haiweb.org/>http://www.haiweb.org)
Consumer Project on Technology is a US based non-profit research and 
advocacy organisation created by consumer advocate Ralph Nader. Its 
activities focus on information technologies, intellectual property and 
research and development. (<http://www.cptech.org/>http://www.cptech.org)
====================
From: "Quentin Gargan," <quentingargan@tinet.ie> 
Subject: Genetic Concern Website 
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 10:41:14 -0000 

5) Please note that our [genetics concern] web-site address has moved to 
<http://www.vibrantplanet.com/geneticconcern>http://www.vibrantplanet.com/g
eneticconcern/ 
This site includes a downloadable version of the submission which Genetic
Concern made to the Irish Government Consultation Process. This 177 page
document outlines pretty much all of our arguments about genetic engineering,
including an analysis of alternatives for Irish agriculture. 
Well worth a look - and its free! 

=================
6)FOCUS-Germany, Britain say science leads on GM foods
March 16, 1999

LONDON, Reuters [WS] via NewsEdge Corporation : British and German 
governments stressed on 
Monday that science, not emotions, will decide whether and when genetically 
modified crops are 
cleared for production in the EU.
``We are interested in ensuring that before full-scale commercialisation of 
GM crops takes place we 
have to be sure that there is no harm to the environment,'' a spokesman for 
British Prime Minister 
Tony Blair told reporters.
British newspapers reported that a three year moratorium on GM crops was 
planned, an idea 
strenuously denied by the environment ministry.
``Detailed assessment of new GM crops under the existing law is paramount 
in order to protect 
consumers and reach fail safe decisions on their safety,'' a German 
ministry spokesman said.
A spokesman for life sciences company AgrEvo in Frankfurt said even without 
political interference in 
Britain, EU biotechnology firms had been exposed to a ``de facto moratorium 
for the last 12 
months.''
The EU licencing system for new GM crops had more or less collapsed, with 
France blocking 
progress and Britain opposing products with genes modified to resist 
antibiotics.
A spokeswoman at environmental lobby Greenpeace said Germany's public was 
hostile to GM 
foods.
``We're not saying GM crops are dangerous, we're just saying there are 
enough question marks over 
their safety to justify delaying the approval in order to protect 
consumers,'' she said.
Christiane Toussaint, scientific adviser at food industry institute BLL in 
Bonn, said the GM crop 
debate in Germany would be carried out more rationally than in other EU 
states because industry 
and consumer groups had been discussing this longer.
``We have a head start in dealing with public concerns,'' she said. ``But 
this does not make GM crop 
licencing any easier once the discussion becomes purely political.''
At French environmental group Agir pour l'Environment, coordinator of GM 
campaign Stephen 
Kerckhove said the British reports showed consumer pressure was starting to 
bear fruit.
``Lots of countries are starting to challenge (scientifically modified 
foods)...the consumer is starting to 
bring more and more to this debate,'' he said.
``It's a good thing to take the time to apply the principle of caution.. 
The problem in France is that we 
authorised GMs first and held a debate afterwards. What we need is a 
European level debate.''
Consumers in France and Europe tended to have a different view of food than 
in the United States 
and were more concerned with safety than just taste.
In Britain the government denied any change of plan. ``The situation is 
unchanged,'' a spokesman 
for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions said.
Tests aimed at assessing the wider impact of genetically modified crops on 
the environment were 
due to start shortly with an announcement to be made within the next two 
weeks, the spokesman 
said.
Fresh controversy over GM foods was sparked in Britain last month when 
international scientists 
backed scientist Arpad Pusztai, who claimed his research showed damage to 
rats fed on genetically 
modified potatoes.
((Christopher Lyddon, London Newsroom +44 171 542 7928 fax +44 171 542 8077, 
london.commodities.desk+reuters.com))
[Copyright 1999, Reuters]
========================
7) UK govt denies pressure for genetic crops freeze@ (adds comment 
from Downing Street)
March 16, 1999

LONDON, Reuters [WS] via NewsEdge Corporation : The British government on 
Monday denied 
asking companies producing genetically modified crops to wait another three 
years before 
commercial plantings, but did not dispute reports that a voluntary 
moratorium would go ahead.
``There has been no secret deal. We have always said that before full-scale 
commercialisation of GM 
crops takes place we have to be sure that there is no harm to the 
environment,'' a spokesman for 
Prime Minister Tony Blair told reporters.
``There is already an agreement with the industry that farm-scale trials 
are essential and we remain in 
discussions with the industry on how those trials should be conducted,'' he 
said.
``Should the industry decide to go ahead with a three-year voluntary 
moratorium that is a matter for 
them. We are interested in ensuring there is full proper environmental 
assessment before full-scale 
commercial planting.''
The spokesman said it was incorrect to say the government had asked the 
companies for a further 
delay in commercial planting.
Newspapers reported on Monday that the companies were ready to bow to 
pressure from the 
government and halt commercial growing for three years following a wave of 
public concern.
According to an earlier agreement commercial planting would have begun in
2000.
Government officials -- acting in the wake of a media scare about the 
possible dangers of GM crops 
-- have held confidential talks with the firms at the centre of the 
controversy including Monsanto 
(MTC.N), Novartis (NOVZn.S) and Zeneca (ZEN.L).
Blair's government has also said it will introduce new rules on labelling 
of GM products sold in shops 
and restaurants.
Lord Sainsbury, the science minister who sits on the Cabinet's 
sub-committee on biotechnology, on 
Sunday welcomed the prospect of a voluntary ban.
Agriculture Minister Nick Brown on Sunday condemned the media for running a 
``series of scare 
stories'' about GM foods.
``But I am strongly in favour of making sure that consumers are properly 
informed and that they can 
make their own choices,'' he told Sky TV.
Some scientists fear GM crops could threaten biodiversity and they also 
cite implications on wildlife 
and the environment, a build-up of antibiotic resistance and possible 
genetic damage to animals and 
humans.
But other researchers believe the dangers are exaggerated. They say the 
possible benefits -- 
including pest-resistance and hardier plants that are cheaper, more 
nutritious and tastier -- as well as 
higher crop yields outweigh any drawbacks.
((John Morrison, Parliament newsroom, +44-171-542-7768 fax +44 171 222-3072, 
uk.lobby.news+reuters.com))
[Copyright 1999, Reuters]
==================
8) French environmentalists want longer gene crop ban
March 16, 1999

PARIS, Reuters [WS] via NewsEdge Corporation : French environmental groups, 
spurred on by talk 
of a possible freeze on gene-crops in Britain, on Monday called for a 
longer, broader moratorium in 
France so wider tests could be carried out.
``This is a sign of encouragement which should push the French government 
to reconsider the risks 
from gene modified foods,'' said campaigner Etienne Vernet at Ecoropa.
``We want a moratorium on all types of GM food for three to five years so 
we can do more tests. If 
Britain did impose a three year freeze, France should do the same thing.''
Greenpeace France Director Bruno Rebelle also backed a freeze on GM crops 
until at least 2002 
and more rigorous tests. France imposed a two-year freeze on genetically 
engineered oilseed 
varieties last July after concerns the modifications could be transmitted 
to other crops. In December 
the high court upheld a freeze on three strains of gene-modified maize 
seeds while the case goes to 
the European court of justice.
Newspaper reports on Monday that Britain planned a three-year moratorium on 
GM crops were 
denied by the UK environment ministry.
But French groups said the speculation showed consumer pressure was 
starting to bear fruit. ``This 
illustrates growing opposition from consumers,'' said Rebelle.''
``Lots of countries are starting to challenge (GM foods). The consumer is 
starting to bring more and 
more to this debate,'' said GM campaign coordinator Stephen Kerckhove at 
environmental group 
Agir pour l'Environment.
Nobody was available for comment at France's environment ministry, but an 
agriculture ministry 
spokeswoman said a freeze in Britain would not influence France's position 
on GM crops.
``We are completely independent,'' she said. ``We have not even discussed 
what's happening in 
Britain.''
But the environmentalists, who work closely with counterparts in other 
European countries, said 
opposition to GM foods was growing across Europe and urged environment 
ministers to broach the 
debate together.
Consumers in France and Europe tended to have a different view of food than 
in the United States 
and were more concerned with safety, he added.
((Catherine Bremer, Paris newsroom +33 1 4221 5146, fax +33 1 4236 1072,
email 
paris.newsroom+reuters.com))
[Copyright 1999, Reuters]
==================
9) Three-year UK genetic crops freeze said imminent
March 16, 1999

LONDON, Reuters [WS] via NewsEdge Corporation : Companies producing 
controversial genetically 
modified crops are ready to bow to pressure from the government and halt 
commercial growing for 
three years, British newspapers reported on Monday.
Ministers expect the industry will accept a freeze until 2002 while further 
test are carried out, the Daily 
Telegraph reported.
Government officials -- acting in the wake of a media scare about the 
possible dangers of GM crops 
-- have held confidential talks with the firms at the centre of the 
controversy including Monsanto 
(MTC.N), Novartis (NOVZn.S) and Zeneca (ZEN.L).
Prime Minister Tony Blair's government is also set to introduce new rules 
on labelling of GM products 
sold in shops, the paper said.
Lord Sainsbury, the science minister who sits on the Cabinet's 
sub-committee on biotechnology, on 
Sunday welcomed the prospect of a voluntary ban.
Agriculture Minister Nick Brown on Sunday condemned the media for running a 
``series of scare 
stories'' about GM foods.
``But I am strongly in favour of making sure that consumers are properly 
informed and that they can 
make their own choices,'' he told Sky TV.
Some scientists fear GM crops could threaten biodiversity and they also 
cite implications on wildlife 
and the environment, a build-up of antibiotic resistance and possible 
genetic damage to animals and 
humans.
But other researchers believe the dangers are exaggerated. They say the 
possible benefits -- 
including pest-resistant and hardier plants that are cheaper, more 
nutritious and tastier -- as well as 
higher crop yields outweigh any drawbacks.
[Copyright 1999, Reuters]