Tribes seek limit on wild rice bioengineering

[nosmokes]

if this don't take the cake.
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original-timberjaynewspapers

Friday, April 20, 2007 Volume 18, Issue 16

Tribes seek limit on wild rice bioengineering
By Marshall Helmberger


Tribal officials as well as supporters of sustainable agriculture are turning to the Legislature in hopes of heading off genetic alterations to one of the Ojibwe culture’s most sacred foods— manoomin, otherwise known as wild rice.

Tribal officials, like Bois Forte Tribal Chairman Kevin Leecy, say they can’t afford to allow scientists to manipulate the wild rice genome, and they’re hoping a Senate bill (SF 2103) introduced last month, will hold such research at bay, at least for now. The measure would require an environmental impact statement before any open-air tests of genetically-engineered wild rice could be conducted. It would also require the Department of Natural Resources to identify and assess threats to natural stands of wild rice in the state.

The bill was passed out of two Senate committees, including the Finance Committee, last week.

In testimony on the bill before the Senate Government Operations and Oversight Committee last week, Leecy noted the extraordinary steps the Bois Forte have taken to protect the wild rice crop on Nett Lake. “No motorized boats are allowed on Nett Lake, the dam is carefully monitored and we have invested in the most modern equipment to clear the lake’s seven inlets and outlets and keep the waters alive,” he said.

Leecy said the prospect of genetically-altered wild rice escaping test plots is the concern that is fueling opposition to the idea. “History has shown that it is hard to contain these things in test plots,” said Leecy during an interview with the Timberjay late last week. “Supposed improvements of white rice led to contamination, which cost the white rice industry $100 million in the southern U.S.”

Leecy, who was recently named chairman of the Indian Legislative Affairs Council, has been busy lobbying in recent weeks on several issues, but this one, in particular, has the attention of tribal officials. “We’re taking a strong stand against it,” Leecy said.
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complete article here

[nebenaube]

1. That is very good news and I support opposition to GM crops! n/t

[msongs]

2. probability of GM foods escaping test farms is 100%!!! nt

[Parche]

3. Wild Rice

This is the wildest rice out there.............