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American Morning

Protesters Greet Biotech Conference in San Diego

Aired June 25, 2001 - 10:09   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Turning now to another issue on both the medical front and the front lines of a public debate, genetic research. At a conference discussing its advances, the talk is turning to action. Protesters are outside, seizing the streets to warn of potential dangers.

Our national correspondent Frank Buckley explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Loud and sometimes colorful, protesters took to the streets in downtown San Diego to demonstrate against Bio 2001, billed as the world's largest biotech event.

Demonstrators billing their counterconvention as Bio Devastation 2001. Inside the convention hall, developments and genetic research to be discussed. Francis Collins and Craig Venter, involved in the mapping of the human genome to serve as featured speakers.

CARL FELDBAUM, BIO 2001 ORGANIZER: So, a great deal of the work here, that the talks, the workshops, the seminars will involve how to use that genetic information to provide new therapies and cures for people who have life-threatening diseases.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thirteen years ago at the age of 29, I was battling for life trying to make my 30th birthday and due to accessing cutting edge technology and biotech technology, I'm here.

BUCKLEY: But protesters say genetic information can also hurt patients through potential discrimination in employment and insurance. Critics of the biotech industry also arguing against what they see as a corporate globalization of food and medicine.

BRIAN TOKAR, PROTEST ORGANIZER: We don't believe that the corporations that have brought us 60 years of chemical disasters should be trusted with the future of our food and our health.

BRIAN LEAHY, ORGANIC FARMER: I want to know what's going on in my body and my daughter's body when they feed corn to us that's been genetically altered. They don't know. They can't tell you.

BUCKLEY: But industry spokesmen say their products receive close scrutiny from government agencies. FELDBAUM: The Food and Drug Administration, the FDA is the platinum standard globally and biotech foods and biotech drugs are the most regulated and this is the most regulated industry in the world.

BUCKLEY (on camera): San Diego officials, meanwhile, are concerned that protesters may attempt to disrupt the sunny calm of the city with more demonstrations. Protesters have promised acts of civil disobedience. Police have promised to maintain a large presence on the streets through the rest of the convention.

Frank Buckley, CNN, San Diego, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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