Iowa trial of GMO bananas is delayed
The bananas, created by an Australian scientist, contain a gene that is supposed to help people living in Africa produce vitamin A. Proponents say the gene came from a different type of banana and is completely safe to eat. But opponents contend the trial could expose volunteers to unknown dangers.
An ISU scientist had planned to feed the bananas to a dozen students during last fall's semester. But that didn't happen, a university spokeswoman confirmed last month. The spokeswoman said she didn't know why the trial was delayed or when or whether it would resume.
James Dale, the Australian scientist who developed the bananas, said in an email to The Des Moines Register this weekend that he still hopes to complete the trial by mid-year.
The proposed trial has become a prominent topic in the long-running debate over genetically modified foods. Many scientists say such plants can safely include important nutrients, pest-prevention qualities or other attributes. But skeptics worry that genetically modified foods could be dangerous and uncontrollable, and they often portray the supporters as trying to quietly slip the products into public consumption.
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