washington

The US State Department has invited scientists to organize a round-table conference on genetically modified (GM) foods. The meeting would be the first of a series of discussions with researchers intended to strengthen officials' grasp of key technical issues.

Frank Loy, under-secretary of state for global affairs, also says the department should appoint a science adviser with direct access to the secretary of state, Madeleine Albright.

Speaking last week at the annual science policy symposium of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington, Loy announced a five-point plan to address criticism of how his department handles scientific and technical issues. “We're very sensitive to your concerns,” he told those at the meeting.

Loy said the new science adviser should serve the secretary of state and be supported by a small number of staff. He hopes to have the adviser in place by next autumn.

The adviser should organize “round-table discussions” involving “recognized experts on a particular issue”, said Loy.

Rather than waiting for the adviser's appointment, he proposed that the department, the National Academy of Sciences and the AAAS should “work together right now to organize the first of these discussions”. The topic would be GM organisms, “particularly genetically modified agricultural products”.

He said that trade in such products “will pose major issues for US policy-makers in the years to come”.

Loy proposed more science training for department staff, initiatives to bring more scientifically qualified staff into the department, and greater effort to “use science as a tool for diplomacy”.

Robert Stern, a consultant who chairs the industrial science section at AAAS and has worked on the State Department issue, says that Loy's offer to consult with the community through the AAAS represents a challenge for the organization. “Now we've got to organize a response.”