Genetically modified (GM) crops have the potential to pose food safety risks and harm the environment so the U.S. government should do a better job of regulating the industry, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) said yesterday in a high-profile report. Still, the report, prepared by a panel of 12 scientists, was seen by many as giving a boost to the biotechnology industry because it also argued that crops genetically engineered to produce their own pesticides appear to be safe to eat. Reps. Jack Metcalf (R-Wash.) and Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) joined some environmental and consumer groups in saying the report is tainted because half of the authors have biotech industry ties and conflicts of interest. Metcalf and Kucinich have introduced a bill that would require labels on GM foods.
