BY SIMON ROZ

ADELAIDE — A rally and march on March 17 attracted about 700 people supporting the call to ban genetically modified (GM) foods. After hearing speakers outside Parliament House, the protesters marched to the Central Market where they received an enthusiastic response from shoppers and stall holders.

The protest was organised by the South Australian Genetic Food Information Network (SAGFIN) which has been campaigning against the release of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) into the food chain and environment for the past three years.

The message from all the speakers at the rally was that the major parties in Australia should not gamble public and environmental health for the sake of biotech companies’ profits.

The message didn't make it through to South Australian deputy premier Rob Kerin, who jovially dismissed protesters’ accusations of scientific ineptitude, stating that “whilst GM foods had been on the market for four years, there had been no deleterious effects”.

Kerin appears to be misinformed, as it is public knowledge that GM potatoes have caused stomach lesions in rats, and close to 70 people suffered severe allergic reactions last year to Aventis' Starlink corn being accidentally introduced into the food supply. There have also been innumerable “accidental releases” into the environment from field trials.

Dr Kate Clinch-Jones from SAGFIN told the rally that, in collaboration with groups all around Australia, SAGFIN is calling for an immediate moratorium on all GMO's, until adequate testing is undertaken.

Contact SAGFIN for upcoming events or information at <sagfin@eudoramail.com>.

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