Pseudo-Public Interest Group, CSPI, Now supports Agbiotech

June 19, 2001

Web Note:

The Washington, D.C. based Center for Science in the Public Interest
(CSPI), <www.cspinet.org> who claim to represent the interests of
America's food consumers, have apparently joined the biotech industry
in applauding the supposed benefits of agbiotech. (see posting below)

CSPI came under fire recently after claiming that a so-called scientific
poll they conducted showed only "a modest percentage of respondents
indicated a strong desire for... labeling" genetically engineered foods.
CSPI also supports food irradiation. The media often turn to Michael
Jacobsen, CEO of CSPI, for watered down "criticism" of corporate
food practices.

<www.cspinet.org>

June 18th posting on <www.guestchoice.com>
Chosen by PR watch as its "Spin of the Day" <www.prwatch.org>

CSPI shifts its weight on biotech

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is publicly conceding
that genetically improved food crops are a positive environmental and
agricultural phenomenon. In a letter to the New York Times, CSPI biotech
project co-director Gregory Jaffe objected to a rather one-sided article
appearing on June 10 ("As Biotech Crops Multiply, Consumers Get Little
Choice").

Jaffe points out that while the Times' article dwelled for 1,500 words on
the supposed environmental and food-safety risks associated with biotech
foods, it ignored "this technology's benefits to farmers and the
environment."

This position represents the completion of a long about-face for CSPI, whose
director Michael Jacobson wrote barely a year ago that "genetically modified
crops raise genuine ecological concerns" and that "people troubled by
genetically modified foods can choose organic foods, the production of which
minimizes risks due to pesticide residues in food and water, builds up soil,
and protects wildlife."