Biotech's plan to plant rice (in CA) blocked for now

[question everything]

(snip)

The California Department of Food and Agriculture said that before it considers Ventria Bioscience's plan to grow pharmaceutical rice in nine counties, including San Diego, the company must first secure federal approvals and permits. The department also said in a letter to the state Rice Commission that the public deserves an opportunity to offer its views.

The commission worked with the tiny Sacramento biotechnology company for six months before sending its plan to the CDFA with a recommendation for approval. The commission had asked state regulators to make an expedited decision so that Ventria could take advantage of the rice planting season that runs between May and July. The expedited process would have shut out public hearings.

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Consumer advocates and some farmers fear that the pharmaceutical rice, which hasn't been approved for consumption, could contaminate natural rice fields or the food supply. Contamination, or even the fear of it, could hurt exports of rice to Europe and Asia where genetically engineered food is widely opposed, according to opponents of Ventria's plan.

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Ventria's rice is intended as a vessel to produce proteins, lactoferrin and lysozyme, which can be extracted from the processed grains and added to treatments for iron deficiency and anti-diarrheals.

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Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040410/news_1b10rice.html

[pfitz59]

1. Rice in San Diego?

With what water?