Originally published August 6 2005
EPA: No access to data on human experiments
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Until the EPA establishes new standards, Congress has barred them from seeing results of tests performed on humans in regards to toxin exposure.
The House and Senate earlier adopted language imposing a one-year moratorium on the use of human testing data, though the Senate also passed language allowing EPA to use the data as long as the studies met certain ethical standards and their benefits outweigh the risks to volunteers.
As a compromise, negotiators agreed to bar the agency from using the data until it establishes a comprehensive scientific and ethical standard for human pesticide testing.
The provision directs EPA to finish the rule within 180 days and prohibits the use of pregnant women, infants or children as subjects.
Rep. Hilda L. Solis (D-Calif.), who had pushed for a one-year ban, said in an interview that the agreement represents "a small victory for us" and that "we'll certainly be watching to see what the EPA does."
As for testing on pregnant women and infants, she added: "The moral of the story is that it's not acceptable."
Pesticide manufacturers said the provision would allow them to collect data they need when submitting federal applications to market their products.
"CropLife America believes the final agreement in the bill is a clear rejection of outright bans on using pesticide data from volunteer subjects," said Jay Vroom, president of the pesticide trade association.
For years, federal officials allowed manufacturers to conduct human experiments on the grounds they provided a clearer assessment of how pesticides could affect the environment and public health.
Administration officials have resisted the idea of a one-year moratorium but said they could accept the new testing provision.
"This language makes it clear that Congress shares our commitment to good science and supports our efforts to expedite the first-ever EPA rule addressing the scientific and ethical issues in considering third-party human studies," agency spokeswoman Eryn Witcher said.
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