The USDA public comment deadline of March 30th regarding rice
engineered with human genes is quickly approaching. The rice,
developed by Ventria Bioscience has been given pre-approval by
the USDA for planting and harvesting in California. The plants
have been engineered to synthesize a human protein that would
be used as a drug to treat diarrhea. When planted in an open environment,
these biotech rice fields have the potential to contaminate conventional
rice fields where the crops are being grown for consumer food
products. According to Jane Rissler of the Union of Concerned
Scientists, "This is not a product that everyone would want
to consume. It is unwise to produce drugs in plants outdoors."

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