TEMPERS yesterday flared on the sidelines of the bio-technology and food security conference as scientists in favour of genetically altered foods accused fellow experts opposed to the technology of misleading consumers.

But organisers of the conference, Consumers International (CI) refuted the claims saying that they did not understand the desperation by the champions of genetic engineering in agricultural production.

Executive director of a South African-based organisation Africa Bio, Jocelyn Websteran interview in Lusaka accused the organisers of the conference of bias and flooding the delegates with scientifically misleading information.

'I found that the workshop was very one-sided. They (CI) are using well known global campaigners against bio-technolgy who are giving consumers wrong information, said Professor Webster before leaving the meeting.

She invited members of the Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) to South Africa on Africa BioÕs expense so that they could have an on-the-spot feel of what bio-technology really was.

South African Seed Organisation project manager Wynand Van Der Walt said the information pack given to the delegates contained papers biased against Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

'They are not transparent and they are not balanced because they are now excluding those of us who are in favour of Genetically Modified Food. Maybe they are scared of the correct information, Dr Van Der Walt said.

CI Africa director, Amadou Kanoute however, parried the allegations saying both the pro and anti-GMO campaigners were given chance to speak during the meeting.

'It seems to be a desperate reaction by our colleagues in favour of gene altered foods. As far as I know we have given them an opportunity to speak their minds, Mr Kanoute said.

He said yesterday's afternoon sessions were restricted to CI members because the organisers felt experts had given them enough information on the pros and cons of GMOs and it was now for them to decide their destiny.

Earlier, a British scientist said eating altered foods could lead to cancer and urged Zambia and other African countries not to accept the technology.

Institute for Science in Society (ISIS) director Mae-Wan Ho said Zambia should maintain its position on GMOs as countries which initially embraced the new technology were dumping it for conventional farming.

Government recently rejected a donation of 15,000 tonnes of GM relief maize after local scientists cast doubts on the safety of the food for human consumption.

Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana said Government feared that Zambia could lose it European market if it introduced GM crop.