Releasing genetically modified organisms into the environment will become much easier if proposals from the European Commission are approved. The Commission is particularly keen to relax restrictions on releasing genetically modified plants, saying that they pose no risk, but scientists in Britain and the US say there is no firm evidence for this claim.
The Commission issued the proposals last week in a discussion document aimed at improving the competitiveness of Europe's biotechnology industry. The German government says it will try to push through the proposals during its presidency of the European Union, later this year.
The planned changes will alter two existing directives. The first, on 'contained use' in laboratories and factories, lays out precautions for preventing the escape of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Amendments to this directive would ease the rules on notifying the authorities and gaining their permission before certain modified microorganisms are used.
Far more controversial ...
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