Staff writer

KUSATSU, Shiga Pref. -- With compulsory labeling of some foods made up of genetically modified organisms to be introduced in 2001, the genetic testing business is growing, supported by plans by many Japanese food makers to label their products as "GM-free."

An increasing number of orders has been flowing into the Gene Analysis Center at Takara Shuzo Co. here, one of a few businesses in Japan that currently provide testing services, keeping researchers at work into the small hours every night.