"GMO Safety, Weed Control Top Concerns As U.S. Study Kicks Off"

"Agriculture experts raised a number of concerns with genetically modified crops, including safety and spreading weed resistance, at the first public meeting of a U.S. government sponsored study of genetically engineered crops held Monday.

The study, led by the National Research Council (NRC) and sponsored in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, comes at a time of growing consumer suspicion of genetically modified crops, which are used in a variety of packaged food products. Many U.S. states are seeking mandatory labeling of foods with GMO ingredients, and a growing number of food companies are offering non-GMO products.

The study also comes as some important U.S. trading partners, notably China, are showing reluctance to allow imports of some GMO grain.

The stated goal of the study is to examine the concerns along with the benefits of GMO crop technologies and 'inform the public discourse.' The NRC said its work will be 'an independent, objective study' to be completed by 2016."

Carey Gillam reports for Reuters September 16, 2014.