EPA Chastizes Professor for Bacteria Test
The Environmental Protection Agency today sent a letter scolding a Montana professor for injecting genetically altered bacteria into trees without permission.
The agency also told Dr. Gary Strobel of Montana State University that he must get a co-sponsor to endorse any experiments he submits to the EPA for approval for a year.
“I think in some respects one might say they are mild sanctions,” Dr. John A. Moore, assistant EPA administrator for pesticides and toxic substances, said.
Strobel told the university’s biosafety panel that he had injected the genetically altered bacteria into 14 elm trees on the Bozeman, Mont., campus without approval. The experiment was to determine whether the bacteria would produce enough of an antibiotic to kill the Dutch elm disease fungus.
Tested in Holland
He had said his action was a form of “civil disobedience” against regulations he considers to be too restrictive. He said the bacteria already had been successfully tested in Holland.
The agency does not have the legal authority to do more than send a warning letter to a first-offender in Strobel’s situation, Moore said. A second offense could bring a fine of $1,000 and possible criminal prosecution.
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