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Hawaii county bars genetically altered cropWAILUKU, Hawaii (AP)--The Maui County Council has unanimously banned genetically modified taro, citing the crop's cultural and spiritual significance to Native Hawaiians. The measure bars testing, propagating, growing or introducing bioengineered taro, or kalo, in the county. Mayor Charmaine Tavares says the Oct. 2 vote supports a similar move in the state Legislature to ban biotech taro. The bill has been introduced by state Rep. Mele Carroll. Supporters say taro is a sacred plant and staple food for Native Hawaiians and should be kept in its natural form. They fear contaminating native strains of the plant. Harold Keyser, the Maui County administrator for the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, says research could help preserve the crop.
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