it could be a while before genetically engineered products gain worldwide acceptance. The Switzerland-based multinational Ciba-Geigy's bid to market its genetically engineered maize suffered a setback when the issue, which was brought up at a meeting of European Union (eu) environment ministers in Luxembourg recently, did not secure majority approval.

This was the first time that an approval was being sought for the marketing of a genetically engineered product. The maize carries a gene that can protect it against the European corn borer, a beetle that destroys 10 per cent of Europe's maize crop. The maize plant has been opposed as it consists of another gene which makes it resistant to the antibiotic ampicillin. Environmentalists fear that this gene could enter the human food chain and pose trouble.

Disappointed biotechnology companies are, however, gearing themselves up to put up a strong fight against the eu regulations on genetically engineered products, which they believe are too strict. Greenpeace, the environmental group was instrumental in the campaign against the maize.