LAWSUIT QUESTIONS ALGAE IMPORTS

A hui of local environmental groups is suing the Hawaii Board of Agriculture and local biotech company Mera Pharmaceuticals to force a hearing on the importation of genetically modified algae into the state. Mera, formerly known as Aquasearch, has received approval from the Board of Agriculture to import and mass-produce seven strains of genetically modified algae to its facility at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority in Kona on the Big Island as part of an agreement with a mainland pharmaceutical company. Mera normally produces nutritional supplements made from algae.

Checkbiotech.org (http://www.checkbiotech.org/root/index.cfm?fuseaction=news&doc_id=11211&start=1&control=210&page_start=1&page_nr=101&pg=1)