Almost two- dozen experimental field trials of genetically engineered potatoes, maize, cotton, groundnuts and sugar cane were held in SA last year, according to the African Centre for Biosafety (ACB).
Although details of the experiments were published in advance in regional newspapers, the ACB's report is the first attempt to consolidate the information . The report shows that field trials were conducted in all provinces except Eastern Cape by state-funded bodies, such as the Agricultural Research Council, and by seed companies such as Monsanto and Syngenta .
The ACB, which campaigns against genetically modified (GM) crops, said it had published a "biohazard update" to raise awareness about the extent of experiments into the technology.
The information was intended to help the government monitor the environmental impact of genetically engineered crops, and assist farmers in case of environmental contamination, said ACB executive director Mariam Mayet.
"If there's a problem, then at least there will be a document trail, and people will have some idea of what's been going on," she said.
The ACB report, which is based on information obtained in November from the agriculture department, using the Promotion of Access to Information Act , shows that 21 field trials were carried out last year.
These included experiments on crops that had been engineered to be resistant to insects, drought, herbicides, or to all three . However, Mayet said the department did not provide the ACB with the precise location of the trials, and the researchers also refused to disclose this information .
She said the public had the right to know exactly where these trials were taking place, dismiss ing fears that disclosure might enable activists to sabotage the research. "We've been researching genetically modified organisms in SA since 1989, and there has never been an act of sabotage -- even though we have diametrically opposing views," she said.
The report showed that 11 clinical trials investigating the potential of genetically engineered vaccines against HIV and tuberculosis, were also conducted last year.
Business Day