FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Stephanie Childs 
(202) 337-9400 or www.gmabrands.com

GMA URGES THE USE OF NON-FOOD CROPS FOR BIOTECH DRUGS  ProdiGene’s
Errors Raise Serious Concerns, Says GMA 

Washington,  DC, November 14, 2002 - The Grocery Manufacturers of
America said today ProdiGene’s reported violations  of  two  field
trial permits represent the potential for an unacceptable risk to
the  U.S.   food  supply.   The  U.S.  Department of Agriculture’s
Animal  and  Plant  Health  Inspection  Service  identified   two
violations  of  ProdiGene,  Inc.’s  field  test  permits -  one in
Nebraska and another in Iowa.  In each case,  “volunteer”  corn  of
experimental  bio-pharmaceuticals were found.  The volunteer corn
in   both   locations   contained    traces    of    unidentified
bio-pharmaceuticals  from  2001 field trials.  According to USDA,
the corn was not properly destroyed in  the  year  following  the
field  trials  as  mandated  by ProdiGene’s permits.  USDA and the
U.S.   Food  and  Drug   Administration   have   confirmed   that
experimental  corn  varieties  have  been  isolated from the U.S.
food supply.  

“While we are pleased to know that the USDA and FDA have  isolated
these  incidences  and  are  in  the  process  of  destroying the
affected soybeans and corn in Nebraska and Iowa,  GMA  is  deeply
concerned  by  ProdiGene’s  reported conduct,” said GMA Director of
New  Technologies  and  Environment  Karil  Kochenderfer.   “These
incidents  reaffirm GMA’s concerns about the use of food crops for
the development of plant-made pharmaceuticals.” 

“The food industry requires complete assurance from regulators and
the biotech industry that the safety and integrity  of  the  U.S.
food  supply remains intact,” added Kochenderfer.  “However,  until
the science and federal regulations can guarantee the  separation
of  PMPs  from  the  food  and feed supply,  we strongly urge the
biotech industry to direct its substantial research  capabilities
into  investigating the use of non-food crops for the development
of pharmaceuticals” 

GMA is working with the biotech industry and  federal  regulators
regarding the use of non-food crops for PMPs.  Additionally,  GMA
is working with federal regulators  to  ensure  that  no  further
incidents such as this occur.  


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GMA  is  the  world’s  largest  association of food,  beverage and
consumer product companies.  With U.S.  sales of more  than  $460
billion,  GMA members employ more than 2.5 million workers in all
50  states.   The  organization  applies  legal,  scientific  and
political  expertise  from  its  member  companies to vital food,
nutrition and public policy issues affecting the  industry.   Led
by  a  board of 42 Chief Executive Officers,  GMA speaks for food
and consumer product manufacturers  and  sales  agencies  at  the
state,  federal  and  international  levels  on  legislative  and
regulatory  issues.   The  association  also  leads  efforts   to
increase  productivity,   efficiency  and  growth  in  the  food,
beverage and consumer products industry.  

Staff Contacts Karil Kochenderfer 

Press Contacts Stephanie Childs