09/05/06 Testing GMO Rice

Traces of a genetically engineered strain of rice created to give herbicide tolerance was found in US commercial bins caused nary a comment from talking heads or water cooler conversations. Americans just aren't worried about GMO foods probably because we have been consuming them for years with out any ill effects. So it makes no sense to us why Japan would ban our rice shipments in light of the fact that both the USDA and the FDA announced there was no public health or environmental risk with GMO rice. Could it be politics? Most Americans have more pressing problems to worry about, like the burst of the real estate bubble, the price of gas or pack ten football. In the next few weeks tests will be given to make sure commercial rice targeted for export remains free from the unauthorized strain. US rice will be given a new certified- free label making our export market in the EU happy, but I will bet you all the tea in China, it won't cause much of a reaction from Japan.