It's going to open up a national debate, because everyone has a lawn. You're going to see a 'not in my backyard' phenomenon. The American Society of Landscape Architects, with more than 14,000 members, joined Mr. Rifkin on Friday in petitioning the Agriculture Department, calling for the agency to suspend all field tests of the new grasses that Scotts is conducting. We want bodies outside of Monsanto and Scotts to assess these risks.
Many consumers are also wary of the genetically altered grass.
Scotts, however, says it is moving cautiously. It says it is conducting intensive research under the oversight of federal regulators to ensure that the new products are safe and to avoid the maelstrom that has erupted, at least in Europe, over genetically altered crops. The Agriculture Department regulates where Scotts can plant the experimental grass, and Scotts must obtain the department's permission before it can transport the grass anywhere. And if there are problems with the technology, then it won't come out. But we're following all the rules, taking all the precautions.