Public told not to panic over GMO report

Sakarindr Bhumiratana, a senior specialist at the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Biotec), said genetically modified food products would do no harm to consumers even over a long term.

Responding to Greenpeace Southeast Asia's lab tests showing the presence of genetically modified organisms in seven food products sold in local markets, Mr Sakarindr said he was not surprised with the test report at all.

"The point is the presence of GM material doesn't mean the food is harmful. "I wonder why Greenpeace avoided stating that there are no scientific data on health problems due to consumption of GM food."However, Mr Sakarindr supported labelling of GM products, saying consumers have the right to know the percentage of GMOs contained in their food.

Somvong Tragoonrung, director of Biotec's DNA Technology Laboratory, said Greenpeace's GMO test result, from a Hong Kong-based laboratory, was credible. However, Science Minister Sonthaya Khunpleum said the test result should be confirmed by qualified labs in Thailand.

The Commerce Ministry yesterday expressed concern that a panic over GMOs could lead to a public demand for an embargo on products with GMOs.

Public rejection of GMOs could have an adverse impact on the Thai food import-export industry, Boontipa Simakul, head of the Business Economics Department, said.

Ampon Kitti-ampon, assistant permanent secretary for agriculture, also called on Thai consumers not to panic since there was still no scientific proof of any health risk from GM food products.

However, a committee would be set up to find out whether genetically engineered animal feed had been misused by mixing it in human food.

Thailand has a firm policy to prohibit growing of GM plants in the country, he said. However, full compliance would be very hard to ensure, said Mr Ampon who likened the problem to prostitution "which exists although it is prohibited by law".

Deputy Agriculture Minister Prapat Panyachatraksa said the Greenpeace report about the presence of GMOs in some food products sold in Thailand should be further investigated.