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Greenpeace breaks into CSIRO wheat farm

Posted by Rita Mu

Greenpeace protestors have broken into a CSIRO genetically modified wheat farm outside Canberra this morning.

Three women wearing Hazmat protective clothing used weed string trimmers to destroy the farm, which consisted of about half a hectare of GM wheat grown as part of Australia’s first outdoor trials.

Last month the CSIRO received permission to conduct Australia’s first trial in which humans will eat GM wheat, ABC News Online reported.

The genes of the wheat had been modified to lower the glycemic index and increase fibre to create a product that would improve bowel health and increase nutritional value.

Animal feeding trials of up to three months have been conducted, with human trials at least six months away.

Greenpeace campaigner, Laura Kelly, said the group took action after health fears and concerns over secrecy, cross-contamination and the wheat being grown without proper safety precautions.

“We had no choice but to take action to bring an end to this experiment,” she said.
 

Image: abc.net.au

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