GMW: Kofi Annan warns of risks of biotech

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GMW: Kofi Annan warns of risks of biotech

" GM WATCH " <info

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:13:23 GMT

 

 

 

 

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Annan Warns Catastrophic Results if Biotechnology Manipulated

Kuwait News Agency, 18 November 2006

http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/story.aspx?Language=en & DSNO=923526

 

GENEVA, Nov 18 (KUNA) -- UN Secreetary-General Kofi Annan, on his last

visit to Switzerland as Secretary-General, has warned Saturday of the

rapidly increasing risks posed by biotechnology.

 

Receiving the Max Schmidheiny Freedom Prize in the eastern Swiss city

of St. Gallen, Annan urged the creation of global safeguards.

 

Annan warned of " catastrophic " results if recent advances in

biotechnology, including gene manipulation and work with viruses, fell

into the

wrong hands.

 

" As biological research expands, and technologies become increasingly

accessible, this potential for accidental or intentional harm grows

exponentially, " he added.

 

Annan's warning comes after he called in May for a global forum on

biological terrorism, saying current treaties were too weak, and

governmental

and commercial initiatives too scattered. (end)

 

 

 

 

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