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from the If-you-can't-beat-them-ban-them dept.
c0lo writes:
"Russian legislators are asking the government to impose a temporary ban on all genetically-altered products in Russia, while the Agriculture Ministry suggests the punishment for illegal GMO production be equated to that of growing cannabis.
While the State Duma's Agriculture Committee posed as worried about the control over the GMO effects on humans and the natural environment, the deputy Agriculture Minister Aleksandr Petrikov seems to focus more on economic risks. Russia cannot compete with foreign producers when it comes to costs, but still can position itself as a producer of high-quality, GMO-free agricultural goods.
However, the deputy head of Russia's state consumer rights watchdog, Gennady Ivanov, reminded MPs that since Russia joined the WTO in 2012, trade restrictions can be imposed only after the hazardous effects of the banned goods are scientifically proven. In early February, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told a government session that Russia will create its own research base for genetically modified organisms that would provide the authorities with expert information and allow for further legislative movements and executive decisions."
(Score: 4, Insightful) by clone141166 on Saturday March 01 2014, @02:32AM
It would be very nice to see more independent research into the long term effects of GMO crops. But I seriously doubt that an organisation established at the behest of the Russian government is going to provide unbiased research.
Given that the Russian government appears to already be strongly opposed to GMO crops based on economic grounds, it is more likely that the research institute is being set up as a puppet organisation to allow them to circumvent their WTO commitments requiring a scientific basis before they can establish a trade ban.
Once they have fabricated enough of their own "scientific research" it becomes a he-says-she-says debate with so much FUD and confusion from both sides that they can pretty much do whatever they want after that (see the Global Warming debate for an example of this).