|
Hawai'i can decide
if biotech has role in island agriculture
COMMENTARY -From Honolulu
Advertiser, May 16, 2004
By Dr. Ania Wieczorek
Dr. Ania Wieczorek
is an agricultural biotechnology educator at the University of Hawai'i's
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
As an agricultural biotechnology
educator with the University of Hawai'i, I feel compelled to respond
to the May
10 commentary by Bill Freese.
I am paid with public funds
and employed at a public institution, and I have the interests of
the citizens of Hawai'i foremost in my mind when I address issues
related to my work.
It is thus of concern to
me that Mr. Freese, who does not live here and whose background
is not in agriculture, makes a number of erroneous statements regarding
agricultural biotechnology in Hawai'i. I believe that Mr. Freese
means well, but his article includes misinformation that requires
a response.
I must first note that the
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources is dedicated
to serving the needs of all Hawai'i's farmers by investigating all
forms of technology, from organic agriculture to genetic engineering.
Second, it is not true that most biotech crops in Hawai'i are experimental;
rather, Hawai'i's principal genetically engineered crop is seed
corn that is sent to the Mainland for field corn production.
Third, sterile seed biotechnology
(also known as terminator technology) is not used in the agricultural
industry, and although seed saving is an important aspect of many
subsistence farms, most commercial-scale farmers annually purchase
hybrid seed (which is sterile) to ensure uniformity of their crops.
Fourth, the nutritional content
of food is not altered in the biotech crops currently on the market;
if a nutritionally altered crop is developed, the FDA requires that
it be labeled.
I do agree with the National
Academy of Sciences' position that the use of agricultural crops
for "biopharming" poses concerns and that plants other than food
crops may be more suitable to use in "biopharming." We should remember,
however, that biopharmaceutical crops are the most severely regulated
of all crops, and the USDA is currently making these regulations
even more stringent.
These are just some examples
of what are surely inadvertent errors in Mr. Freese's commentary.
I strongly disagree with
the conclusion he draws from them, namely that "Hawai'i can't have
it both ways." I am convinced that organic, conventional and biotech
agriculture can coexist here. The people of Hawai'i have great respect
for one another's needs, and I
believe that farmers within
local communities are capable of deciding for themselves and agreeing
among themselves that it is their responsibility to avoid the possibility
of cross-pollination between conventional and biotech crop plants.
This approach is particularly
effective when decisions are based on objective data produced by
institutions like CTAHR, USDA and EPA, rather than on biased opinion
and misinformation. For example, neighboring farmers could agree
to plant corn crops a few weeks apart, so that there is no risk
of pollen drifting from one to the other.
We should also consider that
seed growers, including those who grow biotech seeds, are as concerned
about their products being pollinated by outside sources as are
organic farmers. Seed growers must get their seeds certified and
therefore maintain adequate distances between their seed source
and neighboring crops.
As we look to the future
of agriculture in Hawai'i, we should be open-minded and decide for
ourselves what is best for the Islands. Just as we should not permit
corporations to decide for us, we should ensure that mistaken information,
however well intentioned, does not lead us to make unwise decisions.
Hawai'i values many forms
of diversity, and we should strive to encourage diverse forms of
agriculture.
Biotech can help
revitalize Hawai'i's agricultural industry
COMMENTARY -From Honolulu
Advertiser
By Ania M.
Wieczorek
It's a natural human reaction
to be skeptical about change and things that are new. So it is understandable
that inhabitants of Hawai'i have questions and even concerns about
the development of a biotechnology industry in the Islands.
The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center has
been working on
genetically engineered sugar-cane tissue. Most plantings of
biotechnology crops in Hawai'i involve seeds already approved
by
government agencies. Advertiser library photo |
The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center has been working on genetically
engineered sugar-cane tissue. Most plantings of biotechnology crops
in Hawai'i involve seeds already approved by government agencies.
Advertiser library photo
A look at the facts is needed to balance emotional claims that are
leading some people to conclude that biotechnology is bad for Hawai'i's
environment and its agricultural economy.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is the agency within
the U.S. Department of Agriculture that is responsible for regulating
biotech field trials. The APHIS Web site (www.nbiap.vt.edu/cfdocs/fieldtests1.cfm)
shows 1,600 requests for field trials in Hawai'i. That number causes
some to think that Hawai'i is overrun with biotech experiments.
However, not all requests are granted, nor are all permits acted
upon. A closer look shows that 466 requests have been made since
the turn of the 21st century and that only 125 permits and notifications
are still in effect or pending.
Another fact that isn't obvious is that experimental crops account
for a very small amount of the land controlled by seed companies
involved in biotechnology. Those seed companies own or control an
estimated 8,000 acres in Hawai'i, but in 2002 and 2003, only about
3,500 acres were planted, and only 40 percent of those acres were
planted with biotech crops.
Most of the biotech acres were used to produce seed for deregulated
crops that have been tested and approved by APHIS, the Food and
Drug Administration and in many cases the Environmental Protection
Agency. Only a small percentage of acres contained experimental
crops yet to be approved for commerce. Experimental trials are very
small, typically a few dozen plants on plots as small as a tenth
of an acre.
APHIS regulates all experimental trials, some more stringently than
others. In some cases, the biotech developer must notify APHIS of
its intent to plant an experimental plot. The notification process
is reserved for traits that have a history of familiarity — new
characteristics of which we have a relatively sound understanding.
Notification does not mean that companies just go ahead and plant;
APHIS must acknowledge the notification and typically imposes guidelines
and limits on allowable acreage.
If the experiment involves a less familiar trait, a more rigorous
permitting process is involved. This is the case if pharmaceuticals
or industrial proteins are to be produced in the crop. APHIS is
supposed to closely review the request and, if a permit is granted,
the agency establishes strict rules as to how the experiment must
be carried out.
APHIS requires wide barriers to separate the plot from other crops
and it details other requirements, such as a planting time different
than neighboring crops, detasseling or bagging of tassels, crop
destruction before flowering or other measures deemed appropriate
for the individual permit. APHIS inspectors make unannounced visits
to the test site, up to five times during the growth period and
after the end of the experiment.
Since January 2001, only 25 permits have been granted for tests
in Hawai'i, and only three are still in effect.
Another concern of people not familiar with biotechnology is the
fear that biotech crops will spread to plants in the wild. For that
to be a serious concern, there have to be sexually compatible wild
relatives. Corn, which has no sexually compatible wild relatives
in the Islands, accounts for about 98 percent of the biotech crops
grown in Hawai'i.
There are, however, wild relatives of cotton in parts of Hawai'i,
so the EPA has prohibited the planting of insect-resistant biotech
cotton in the Islands.
Hawai'i is an ideal location for biotech companies, because they
can produce crops year-round. The industry also can be good for
Hawai'i. Many of the farmers who suffered when the sugar industry
collapsed a few years ago now are producing grain for the seed companies
or are finding jobs in biotechnology.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates that biotech
companies last year contributed $48.7 million to the Hawai'i economy
in jobs, leases, purchase of inputs and equipment and in shipping.
All of agriculture contributes an estimated $2.9 billion to the
state's economy and generates 42,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
The biotechnology regulatory system appears to be well-conceived
and, if properly implemented, should adequately address the environmental
concerns that many people are wondering about. Because of this regulatory
oversight, there is no reason why biotechnology should not be a
key component in ensuring that agriculture remains a major factor
in the state economy.
However, we encourage people with concerns to contact us to voice
their misgivings, and feedback will be provided to them. This type
of communication can provide an important channel for information
flow between concerned citizens and the federal authorities.
back
to top |
