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> February
> February 4, 2000:
Hour One: GM Foods Treaty / Mars Lander Update
After several days of round-the-clock bargaining in Montreal, 130 government representatives from around the world ratified an agreement governing trade in genetically modified organisms (GMO's) last week.
In the end, the agreement hinged on two points. First, major biotechnology-using countries, including the U.S. and Canada, agreed to label shipments of seeds, grains, and plants that "may" contain genetically modified material. An earlier version, requiring that exporters certify shipments as definitely containing GMO's and listing specific seed types and varieties, was dropped after criticism from U.S. negotiators that it would be extremely difficult to adopt. Under current practice, many varieties of certain grain crops are often blended together in a single shipment.
The second major hurdle involved the amount of scientific evidence of harm needed to ban a GMO -- or, conversely, the amount of evidence needed to prove that a genetically-modified organism was "safe." Eventually, the delegates settled on language that left both sides claiming victory: "Lack of scientific certainty due to insufficient relevant scientific information and knowledge ... shall not prevent [a country] from taking a decision" on the wisdom of importing GMO's, either pro or con. On this hour of Science Friday, we'll take a closer look at the treaty and what it means for farmers, environmentalists, and ordinary consumers.
We'll also get an update on NASA efforts to track down the missing Mars Polar Lander spacecraft. Last week, researchers at Stanford University heard what they think may have been a quiet call for help from the lander, which lost contact with controllers after its arrival on Mars in early December. The signal, about the strength of a cell phone call, took several days to decode -- and later efforts to listen for it were not successful. Astronomers from around the world offered time on their radio telescopes this week to try to listen for a signal during the next window of opportunity. We'll find out why some of the flight team thinks there may still be a ray of hope - and what they're trying to do about it.
From amber waves of grain to the Red Planet - on this hour of Science Friday.
Guests:
David Sandalow
Assistant Secretary of State
Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
State Department
Washington, DC
Paul Raeburn
Technology Editor
Business Week Magazine
New York, New York
Richard Harris
Science Correspondent
National Public Radio
Washington, DC
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
Science Friday: Safety of GM Foods
Union of Concerned Scientists: Agriculture
New Scientist Planet Science | Genetically modified world | Unpalatable truths
Science Friday: Risks of Agricultural Biotech
Science Friday: Mars Landing Preview
Mars Polar Lander homepage
- This segment produced by:
Annette Heist
Web producer:
Charles Bergquist |