USDA says validated Bayer test for GMO rice
Here's an interesting article about a recent test developed in response to recent questions over an unauthorized genetically modified rice strain that was found in commercial rice.
Alisa
USDA says validated Bayer test for GMO rice
By Christopher Doering
Reuters
August 25, 2006
U.S. government scientists certified a test by Bayer CropScience on Thursday that detects when an unapproved genetically modified rice has been mixed into commercial rice, the Agriculture Department said.
A number of customers for U.S.-grown rice have said they will demand tests for the gene. While a small rice grower, the United States is one of the world's largest exporters, sending half of its crop to foreign buyers.
Federal and industry officials said they do not know how much of the U.S. rice stockpile contained the gene or if this year's crop, nearing maturity, was affected.
"I can guarantee that there will be very extensive testing especially now that we have validated or certified the testing for 601," said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, referring to the experimental LL Rice 601 strain.
USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration began working with Bayer CropScience, a unit of Bayer AG (BAYG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research), about two weeks ago after U.S. agriculture and food safety authorities learned on July 31 that Bayer's unapproved rice had been found in commercial bins in Arkansas and Missouri.
The genetically engineered long grain rice has a protein known as Liberty Link, which allows the crop to withstand applications of an herbicide used to kill weeds.
GIPSA used reference material and methodology provided by Bayer CropScience to verify the company's ability to distinguish its strain.
"We verified a 601 method back to Bayer," said Steven Tanner, director of GIPSA's Kansas City laboratory where the test verification work was conducted.
Tanner said the lab was doing "some additional confirmations on components" but Bayer was now able to take its test to commercial laboratories.
Bayer officials have said they are working to get six labs ready to begin commercial testing. The company predicted on Thursday that tests could begin in a matter of days.
Quentin Schultz, president of BioDiagnostics Inc. whose company would help conduct the tests, said he has already received samples from seed companies and grain processors. The labs must first show they can comply with testing protocols from Bayer.
"As soon as we get a go from (Bayer) we're going to start because we've got samples in here already," Schultz said.
He estimated his company could process as many as 100 tests each day, with each test taking between 48 and 72 hours.
The European Commission on Wednesday said the EU would require imports of U.S. long grain rice to be certified as free from the unauthorized strain. The commission said validated tests must be done by an accredited laboratory and be accompanied by a certificate. Japan, the largest importer of U.S. rice, has suspended imports of U.S. long-grain rice.
USDA and the Food and Drug Administration have said there is no public health or environmental risk with the genetically engineered rice.
USA Rice Federation, which markets and promotes U.S. rice, has opposed the commercialization of genetically modified rice until it has gained wider consumer acceptance. David Coia, a spokesman for the group, said the test is a necessary step to reassure buyers of U.S. rice.
"If other markets are requiring the certification then certainly the test will be available," said Coia. "In the end, yes, it should help."
The United States is expected to produce a rice crop valued at $1.88 billion in 2006. U.S. rice growers are responsible for about 12 percent of world rice trade. Three-fourths of the crop is long grain rice, grown almost entirely in the lower Mississippi Valley. California, the No. 2 rice state, grows short grain rice.
