Help the USDA/APHIS make a sound choice.
Please take a moment to send them comments regarding two very important
biopharming permits.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The USDA/APHIS is requesting comments on field tests of humanized rice
in Missouri. Ventria Bioscience, a biopharmaceutical company based in
Sacramento, Calif., has two permit requests pending with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Biotechnology Regulatory Services to grow
about 200 acres of pharmaceutical rice in southern Missouri this year.
This rice contains humanized genes.
The first USDA docket on this request (full text on USDA web site)
states: *“These transgenic plants have been modified to express the
human (/Homo sapiens/) glycoprotein lactoferrin.”* The second docket
refers to the *“field-testing of rice, /Oryza sativa/, genetically
engineered to express human lysozyme.” *
Please go to the USDA/APHIS web site and make comments.
The deadline of March 25th is rapidly approaching. /
/
Your comments would be best received if they are polite, concise and
include any pertinent professional affiliations that you have.
We encourage your comments to contain the following points:
* While rice is an inbred (self-pollinates) and crosses at
relatively low rates, there is still the potential of
contamination via pollen. Even more likely is the dispersal of
seed through incorrect handling/distribution. This has occurred
with transgenic tomato seed at the University of California Davis
and at other organizations.
* The inadvertent distribution of this rice into the food supply is
a risk that is not justifiable at the present time.
* Additionally, the potential damage to rice exports to Europe and
other countries would have severe economic consequences for US
rice farmers.
* Please exercise the Precautionary Principle and reject this
application for field tests.
* 05-006-1 APHIS-2005-0013 Ventria Bioscience; Availability of
Environmental Assessment for Field Test of Genetically Engineered
Rice Expressing Lactoferrin 02-23-2005 General Docket Notice
03-25-2005
* 05-007-1 APHIS-2005-0014 Ventria Bioscience; Availability of
Environmental Assessment for Field Test of Genetically Engineered
Rice Expressing Lysozyme 02-23-2005 General Docket Notice
03-25-2005
Click on the Docket ID and you will have the opportunity to both read
the full report and give comments. There is a button that takes you
through the submission process.
Organic Seed Alliance | PO Box 772 | Port Townsend | WA | 98368
--
Cricket Rakita
The Save Our Seed Project Coordinator
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
49 Circle D Dr.
Colbert, GA 30628
home/work: (706) 788-0017
fax: (706) 788-0071
cell: (706) 614-1451
web: http://www.savingourseed.org
email: cricket@savingourseed.org