Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-12-15

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] GMOs - Jeremy Rifkin - Athens lecture

[02] FYROM - Telecoms - Sale blocked

[01] GMOs - Jeremy Rifkin - Athens lecture

Well-known biotechnology author and activist Jeremy Rifkin warned an Athens audience on Friday of ?gene wars? in the 21st century if governments and societies dont outlaw patents of genes and even human embryos.

The celebrated author of the 1998 bestseller ?The Biotech Century: Harnessing the Gene and Remaking the World?, was the guest speaker at a lecture organised by the Athens-based Hellenic American Union (HAU) and the local chapter of Greenpeace.

In stressing his points about the dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), ?genetic engineering?, ?slicing?, the cloning of G-modified species and other assorted bio-technological breakthroughs, Rifkin mentioned several ?red-flag? cases, including the placement of a human gene growth hormone in mice.

[02] FYROM - Telecoms - Sale blocked

SKOPJE (ANA) The sale of FYROMs state telecoms utility was apparently blocked on Friday, as the countrys main opposition party announced that it was petitioning FYROMs highest court to prevent the same-day opening of bids.

The Union of Social Democrats said it wanted to stop procedures to privatise the landlocked Balkan countrys telecoms until the ownership status of the utility is settled. Sealed bids were supposed to be opened at 4 p.m. local time by an evaluation committee. Dec. 22 had been given as the date when the Skopje government was to announce its selection. Among the main contenders are Greeces state-run Hellenic Telecoms Organisation (OTE) and Hungarys Matab.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article