New Zealand clears GM corn

 
Published: Tuesday 15 January 2008

Lysine corn, a genetically modified version designed by Monsanto as animal feed, can now be legally imported and sold in New Zealand.

The Food Safety Authority says it is satisfied with tests showing that the corn is safe and is like any other conventional corn. Environmental groups and the opposition party, however, say the government has ignored scientific evidence of health risks. When cooked, the corn's lysine combines with sugars to produce compounds implicated in causing Alzheimer's disease and various forms of heart disease, they claim.

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