PDA supports replacing or smtnisng BPA Infod can inings, but few alternatives exit, "NEWS OF TH FDA RAISES FLAG ON BISPHENOL A CHEMICAL SAFETY: Agency moves to collaborate with other federal partners on health effects research ‘cern about the potential health effects ofthe pla tics chemical bisphenol A (BPA) ininfants and chil dren. But the agency said that more research sneededto fully assess the safety ofthe estrogen ike chemical ‘Theannouncementbrings?DA inline withthe Na- tional Toxicology Program, which sakdin 2008 that it has some concer that BPA may cause neurological effects ininfants and children at current exposure levels. Aithat time, under the Bush Administration, FDA maintained thae BPA in food and beverage containers is safe ‘Some concern means, in part, that we need toknow more,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg sai dur ingthe Jan. sbriefing. Over the next 18-24 months, EDA vill work with NIH and other federal agencies tocon- ‘duct key research on the health effects of BPA, she noted, Inthe meantime, FDA is taking stepsto reduce Poe asthatithas “somecon: ‘human exposure to BPA. Por example, the agency is supporting efforts to replace BPA in infane forma ccans and minimize the chemical in other food can lin ings. FDA isalso considering a more robust regulatory framework for BPA so that if new information becomes available, itcanact quickly Pba's decision pleased some members of Congress, particularly chose trying to reform chemical safety leg” {slation. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif) chairman of the House Enetgy & Commerce Committee, called the an- nouncement “avery positive step that sets usbackona path of science-based decision-making.” Environmental and consumerhealth groups had ‘mixed reactions, Some were disappointed withthe an rnouncement, saying there is already enough scientific evidence to warrant aban on BPA in food and beverage containers. Others called the announcement victory for parents and children anda signal ofanew era for health protection at FDA. "The American Chemistry Council—a chemical industry trade group that includes BPA manufactur cers—sald that FDA’sannouncement “confirms that ‘exposure to BPA in ood contact products has notbeen proven harmful to children or adults” The trade group ‘was disappointed, however, saying that “some of the recommendations are likely to worry consumers and are not well-founded.” ~BRITT ERICKSON Soybeans with the Pioneer Hi Bred Optimum GAT trait, 7 COURT RULING FAVORS MONSANTO SEED TRAITS: DuPont cannot combine its own herbicide tolerance with Monsanto’s JONSANTO has won the first batelein what may be along season of skirmishes with rival seed producer Pioneer Hi-Bred, aDaBonr business. In May2009, Monsanto fled lawsuit to prevent Pioneer from combining traits for crop resistance to elyphosate,a common herbicide sold as Roundup by ‘Monsanto. Pioneer had planned tocreate cornand soy bean seeds containing both Monsanto's Roundup Ready andits own Optimum GAT tat for herbicide volerance.’To do s0,Monsanto contended, would violate Pioneer's license for Roundup Ready seed technology. Inwhat itdescribed asa narrow ruling onthe language ofthe license, the US. Dis trict Gour for the Eastern District of Mis- souri sided with Monsanto, saying Pioneer ‘wasnotlicensed tocombinethe two traits. But DuPont says twill pursue claims ‘against Monsanto for antitrust and patent fraud, Andit accuses Monsanto of preventing farmers from planting better seeds, claiming the combined traits provide 6% better yield than Roundup Ready alone. Inpart because Monsanto commands more than ‘90%6of the U.S, market for genetically engineered soy: bean traits the companyhas also attracted the atten- ton of the Department of Justice. In December 2009, DO opened an investigation into possible anticom- petitive business practices inthe seed industry. ‘Another likely reason for the scrutiny, analysts say, is that in 2014, Monsanto's Roundup Ready soybeans willbe the first genetically engineered crop to lose pat ent protection. The company’s rivalsare concerned ‘Monsanto will try to block the launch of generic seeds ‘Monsanto has stated thatthe first-generation soybeans “would remain available after patent expiryand would be royalty-free to farmers beginningin the 2015 eason.” Experts know of few precedents for challenges to intellectual property for genetically engineered tats John E. Roberts, a stock analyst with Buckingham Research, seesan apt comparison inthe computer world. If seeds are analogous to computerardware, and traits re ike computer software, he asks, “isthis conceptually different than Europe's investigation into Microsoft's efforts to maintain Internet Explorer's dominance on Windows machines?” Asa result ofthat investigation, Microsoft agreed that European computers running the Windows oper ating system would allow users to choose froma listof Internet browsers.—MELODY VOITH WHH-cEN-ONLNe. RGB