Biotech Food Coming Under Ethical, Religious Scrutiny

To date, Americans have paid relatively little attention to the revolution in growing and producing what is known as biotech food. But, the recall of 300 varieties of taco shells containing StarLink, a variety of biotech corn, has put genetically engineered food on America's ethical and consumer-conscious radar screen.

It's also becoming a burning issue for faith groups.

Earlier this month, both the Reform movement of Judaism and Pope John Paul II spoke out on genetically altered food.

"It's the hottest issue to hit the religious community since divestment and South Africa," said Ariane van Buren, environmental director of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility.

In the last five years, churches have begun to think about the theological and environmental issues posed by genetically engineered food, said Roger Willer, an executive with the Division for Church in Society of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. "The StarLink situation has put this issue on the front burner," he added.

StarLink was genetically modified with a gene from a bacteria that kills worms that eat corn. The Environmental Protection Agency, concerned that StarLink could cause allergic reactions, approved the corn for animal feed, but not human consumption. When StarLink was discovered in taco shells in October, there was a nationwide recall of tacos and other products containing the corn.

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