91É«ÇéƬ

StarLink, the genetically modified maize intended only for animals, is
threatening to contaminate grain supplies in the US for the second year running.
The modified corn is not approved for human consumption because of fears it
might provoke allergic reactions. But last year it turned up in the US in foods
such as taco shells. Hundreds of food products had to be recalled and exports
were hard hit. Now fresh traces of StarLink have turned up in seed supplies,
probably because pollen from StarLink fields has contaminated seed crops. Last
week, the US Department of Agriculture called for all contaminated seed to be
identified. Experts say 5 per cent of this year’s maize seed might have to be
withdrawn.