MONDAY 8 MARCH 1999

DR ARPAD PUSZTAI and DR STANLEY EWEN

  200. You are not aware that there is a consumer representative on the advisory committee?
  (Dr Ewen) I am not sure what the proportion is.

  201. There is both a consumer representative and an ethical representative. Does that reassure you at all?
  (Dr Ewen) I am not sure—the construction of the committee—perhaps one is not enough, I just would not like to say. I think there ought to be a proper balance.

  202. Can I just put one final question to Dr Pusztai? The research results you have obtained, Dr Pusztai, with a transgenic potato diet in rats, do these results suggest any specific new concerns regarding genetically modified foods, or the safety of those foods, or the need for better regulation of those foods?
  (Dr Pusztai) I think that what you need is certainly more testing, this is a new technology, we must have new technology testing techniques.

  203. I am talking about concerns, I am not talking about things that are proved; do you feel that what you have done has suggested new concerns with regard to genetically modified foods?
  (Dr Pusztai) Yes. I think so, yes.

  204. Thank you very much. And have you raised these concerns with the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes?
  (Dr Pusztai) No, because I had no way of getting to them.

  205. But I have little doubt they have noticed what has gone on since the World In Action programme?
  (Dr Pusztai) Since then, yes.

  206. Dr Pusztai and Dr Ewen, but especially to you, Dr Pusztai, who have spent an hour in the hot seat, may I thank you very much indeed for the help you have given us this afternoon, for the evidence that you have allowed the Committee to share, and may I say that I hope that your experience of Parliament in action has been more amenable to you than the World In Action. Thank you very much indeed.
  (Dr Pusztai) Thank you very much for your kind attention.

  Chairman: Thank you.