Kennedy backs biotech at BIO2000

[Paul n Shelley]

FYI. Please pass on to others who might be interested.
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>
>Everyone reading this e-mail is encouraged to send Senator Kennedy a letter
>asking him to support S. 2080, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know
>Act. A form letter to Senator Kennedy can be found at:
>http://www.thecampaign.org/senate/MA-Kennedy.htm
>
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>Kennedy Backs Biotech Industry
>
>.c The Associated Press
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>  By STEVE LeBLANC
>
>BOSTON (AP) - The biotech industry received a pledge of political support
>from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who said genetic engineering can dramatically
>improve people's lives.
>
>``We want to work with you to make sure we are going to have decisions and
>judgments based on science,'' Kennedy told about 1,500 chief executives and
>researchers gathered at the BIO 2000 convention Monday. ``Too often when
>decisions are being made, they are based on philosophy or ideology.''
>
>Kennedy spoke just hours after protesters dumped 30 gallons of ``genetically
>altered'' soybeans outside the convention center, where biotech executives
>and researchers are holding the largest gathering of its kind to discuss
>developments in the industry.
>
>The industry is exploring ways of altering genes to create, for example,
>lifesaving medicines, pest-resistant foods and animal organs suitable for
>human transplantation.
>
>Kennedy, D-Mass., promised to work with the industry to help get new drugs
>to market. But he warned the industry's scientific breakthroughs need to
>reach as many people as possible.
>
>Outside the convention center, biotech opponents kept up their criticism.
>About 200 protesters gathered at a supermarket next door, protesting the
>sale of genetically engineered food.
>
>Elisabeth Disterhoft, a 19-year-old student from Bard College in New York,
>handed organic apples to passers-by.
>
>``The American people need to know what they are eating and have a say in
>what they are eating,'' said Disterhoft, dressed as a butterfly. ``We have
>no right to go into Mother Nature and mess with this stuff just because we
>can. The technology is going way ahead of the ethics.''
>
>On the Net:
>
>Biotechnology Industry Organization: http://www.bio.org/welcome.html
>
>For protesters, the Alliance for Biointegrity: http://www.bio-integrity.org
>
>AP-NY-03-28-00 0618EST
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