A G R I C U L T U R E
Genetic Engineering and the Baltics
By Kai Kipper
Debate over the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for agricultural purposes has been growing rapidly worldwide. But in the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, GMO discussions are just beginning.What are the consequences of the deliberate release of GMOs in open fields? What are the possible effects to the environment and human health? Does the world need modified crops at all?
Public awareness about GMOs and their potential negative impacts is not very high in the Baltic states. Baltic public opinion toward GMOs is actually relatively positive at the moment. And in Estonia, information about genetic engineering focuses mainly on its medicinal uses.
Awareness, however, is on the rise. Newspaper articles and television broadcasts have begun to introduce the issues. But some messages are misleading and may be influencing consumer behaviour in the wrong way, due in part to a lack of information available to journalists. For example, a fear of consuming imported tomatoes could be created even though no genetically modified tomatoes have reached Baltic markets as of yet.
To help raise public awareness about GMOs in the Baltics, an international seminar entitled Environment and Health Concerns Regarding GMOs and Biosafety was held in Jurmala, Latvia in March. The seminar was organised by the Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF) and the Estonia Country Office of the Regional Environmental Center (REC).
Part of the discussions concerned the European Union (EU). All three countries are trying to enter the EU in the near future and are therefore expected to change their legislation to meet EU directives. Key directives relate to the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (changing the old directive from 90/219/EEC to 98/81/EC) and the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment (90/220/EEC).
In Estonia, the Act on the Deliberate Release of GMOs into the Environment was adopted by the Parliament in early 1999 and will enter into force in August. A law is also under preparation for transposition of EC Directive 90/219/EEC.
In Latvia and Lithuania, single laws will implement both directives. In Latvia, the draft regulation on the Contained Use of GMMs and Deliberate Release into the Environment of GMOs is waiting to be adopted. In Lithuania, the draft law transposing both directives will be ready by the end of 1999. Both Estonia and Latvia received assistance from EU legal experts in transposing their legislation.
All three countries have advanced scientific laboratories where genetic engineering is being studied and applied. Some 20 research institutes/laboratories are capable of carrying out GMO research focusing on technologies needed for gene therapy, gene vaccination and gene detection, specifically for emerging diseases, as well as for gene diagnostics and work with genetically modified plants. Work is also ongoing in using genetically modified animals such as mice for the analysis of diseases and possible cures.
At this time, no industrial production of GMOs exists in Latvia or Estonia. In contrast, in Lithuania, the Institute of Biotechnology and two companies Ñ AB Fermentas and AB Biofa Ñ are working with biotechnology and genetically modified micro-organisms.
The Biosafety Protocol was also introduced at the seminar. During the 1992 Earth Summit, a Biodiversity Convention was adopted with Article 19(3) as the basis for the ÒBiosafety Protocol.Ó The main purpose of the protocol is to allow countries which do not yet have biotechnology-related legislation in place to censor the domestic use of genetically modified products and field tests and to be informed in advance about planned activities in their countries.
The main recommendations of the biosafety protocol are the: precautionary principle, integration of ecological and human health aspects, inclusion of all living modified organisms, provisions for liability and compensation, the Advanced Informed Agreement Procedure, foreseen labelling and a documentation scheme.
The three Baltic states are members of the Biodiversity Convention, having both signed and ratified it. While they would like to make the Biosafety Protocol legally binding for member countries, the U.S. (which has not signed the Convention) and the countries of the pro-GMO ÒMiami GroupÓ (Canada, Australia, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina) oppose the move. As a result, negotiations on the protocol are suspended until May 2000.
The key finding of the seminar itself was that in all three Baltic states, there is an urgent need for more objective information about genetically modified organisms and their use in different fields. Proposals for future work include the publication of information brochures concerning developments in biotechnology, the establishment of an online information request service concerning biotechnology, inter-ministerial working groups and increased public awareness-raising projects.
One result was that the three Baltic REC country offices supported one-day seminars in each of the Baltic countries in June.
GMOs remain not fully understood in the Baltic States. Baltic NGOs have not yet really started activities in this field. On the other hand, there is potential for both Baltic enterprises and research institutes to become more involved in the biotechnology sector.
(For more info: Kai Kipper, Baltic Environment Forum, Raevala 8. P.O. Box 40, Tallinn, Estonia, tel/fax: (372-6) 604-766.)
