Technology is the edge America has in food production, and we think it would be foolish to close the door on this technology. Hall notes that, in some cases, the promise of GE foods offers a chance to offset the growing number of mouths to feed around the globe. It's worth noting that some Texas growers have also benefited directly from the work being done to genetically engineer crops. Delta Land and Pine Company, a seed provider to much of the South and Southwest with research facilities in Lubbock and Hale Center, and operations centers in Killeen and Lubbock, has worked extensively with the USDA and GE giant Monsanto. As for the criticisms of GE foods, Hall says that the Farm Bureau's constituency is sensitive to consumer demands, but also needs to keep track of the bottom line.
Safety is one of our top concerns.
Still, you have to realize, without this technology it would be impossible to maintain our level of production, and we'd risk losing our position as a major food exporter. You Are What You Read With the number of questions that have been raised, it's no surprise that in addition to pressuring grocers to reject GE foods, activists hope to advance the cause of adding labels to products that pose a potential threat to human health. Although comments still must be formally counted and considered, a quick survey of the FDA Web site shows that the cyber warriors have been active when it comes to registering complaints about current policies. Likewise, a press officer for the EPA notes that many of the GE seeds that have been registered through that office, including Bt corn and cotton, will be reevaluated in 2001. Introduced on the floor in November, the bill has garnered 20 co-sponsors and the support of Austin Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who was also an outspoken critic of allowing some GE foods to be considered organic, as the USDA proposed in 1998.