New emergency powers that allow Australian authorities to fast-track the release of genetically modified (GM) organisms, could pose unacceptable risks, say critics.
According to a Bill passed by the Senate this week, the Federal Health Minister could hypothetically order the rapid approval of a GM vaccine to fend off a possible bird flu pandemic, or a GM bacterium to 'eat' an oil spill threatening the environment.
But critics are concerned that emergency powers in The Gene Technology Amendment Bill 2007 could lead to inadequately tested GM organisms being released into the environment.
"There's a very real danger that the cure could be worse than the disease," said Australian Greens senator Rachel Siewert. "We do not want to create another cane toad."
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