MAKUHARI, Chiba Pref. -- A four-day conference opened here Tuesday to discuss international standards for genetically modified organisms and foods, bringing together some 300 participants from 36 countries.

The meeting of the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology, a body under the 165-member Codex Alimentarius Commission, aims to establish international standards and guidelines on GMO foods and other foods derived from biotechnology.

In his opening speech, Hartwig deHaen, assistant director general of the economic and social department at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, stressed the importance of the meeting, noting that the development of biotechnology has brought both benefits and caused consumers' concern over the safety of GM foods.

DeHaen said the technological advance has helped increase farm yields and decrease the use of agricultural chemicals. At the same time, however, he acknowledged rising public concerns over the safety of GM foods and other possible negative impacts.

"Genetically modified organisms have become the target of very emotionally charged debates," deHaen said. "Consumers in many parts of the world have started questioning the safety of the products and their possible negative impact on the environment."

DeHaen also underlined the importance of enhancing risk assessment, risk management and risk communication so that information on foods derived from biotechnology can be shared.

Noting that the task force has limited time for what is expected to be heated discussions, Tom Billy, chairman of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, advised participants not to ". . . bite off more than (they can) chew."

European countries initially stressed the importance of consumer protection and called for precautionary principles banning the commercialization of GM foods.

A delegate from Malaysia meanwhile emphasized the need for considering cultural diversity in the discussions.

In the afternoon session, it was agreed that the safety of genetically modified foods will be discussed in future talks, while it was also suggested that precautionary principles banning the commercialization of GM foods be debated.

A Health and Welfare Ministry official, representing the Japanese government delegation, proposed the discussion of risk assessment guidelines for foods derived from biotechnology because the issue is not dealt with by other Codex committees.

The delegation from France emphasized the necessity of the compilation of a database regarding GM foods shared by the international community, even though standards for foods derived from biotechnology vary from country to country.