Biotech rice gene escape a mystery, university research lab suspected

A year-long inquest has failed to reveal exactly how genes from a genetically altered strain of rice ended up in other rice throughout the southern United States’ rice growing areas in recent years. An investigation suggests the escape may have happened early this decade at a university research laboratory.

A yearlong U.S. Department of Agriculture investigation found that the genetically engineered rice, which was not approved for human consumption, was grown at a corporate-funded laboratory at Louisiana State University alongside commercial strains of rice that were cross-pollinated and eventually made their way into the food supply.

The FDA subsequently approved the rice for human consumption, but not before the contamination negativelyimpacted rice prices and many farmers. The USDA has decided not to punish the company, citing a lack of evidence.

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2006 story: Firm Blames Farmers, 'Act of God' for Rice Contamination