Haj Hassan to organize genetic modification of food within a clear national policy

The American University of Science and Technology, AUST, organized on Friday a seminar on the ‘genetically modified food in Lebanon’ under the sponsorship of the industry minister, Dr. Hussein Haj Hassan. The minister revealed that while the notion of GM foods is still uncommon in the country with the absence of a clear official policy and contradictory views in the US and Europe, there are a number of question marks on the safety and health of those foods. “It is an open scientific debate that has no final answers until now, but it is associated with economic, health, environmental and psychological implications,” explained Haj Hassan. He urged for an objective approach to the subject that raises awareness based on an independent and scientific discussion. “Since the ultimate aim desired from generating the so-called GM crops is to increase productivity and strengthen their potency and adaptation to agricultural mechanization, therefore it is a noble aim,” Haj Hassan said. He concluded by calling for regulating GMOs under clear national legislation which will be in harmony with food safety, the environment, and public health.

Al Diyar, May 8, 2016