FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2001

CONTACT:
Jennifer Shecter, (914) 378-2402
shecje@consumer.org
Consumers Union

WHY:

The National Academy of Sciences is holding a workshop about genetically engineered animals and their potential impact on food safety and the environment.

WHAT:

CU believes that genetically engineered animals should not go on the market unless we have:

* Labeling. All genetically engineered animals and cloned animals going into the food supply, including fish, poultry, and meat should be labeled. Consumers Union believes that consumers have a fundamental right to know what they are eating.
* Comprehensive regulatory framework. There are no current laws that specifically require the government to regulate genetically engineered animals. Consumers Union believes there must be a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure the safety of the food supply and the environment.
* Safety assessment for food supply and environment. Animals may be genetically engineered or cloned to produce industrial or research chemicals or pharmaceutical products. Insects may also be engineered. This raises new questions for both the safety of the food supply and ecological relationships. Consumers Union believes that all genetically engineered organisms should be tested and their safety assured prior to marketing.

WHO:

* Michael Hansen, PhD, Research Associate, Consumers Union
* Jean Halloran, Director of Consumer Policy Institute, Consumers Union

HOW:

For more information, or to set up interviews, contact:
Jennifer Shecter, (914) 378-2402, shecje@consumer.org