Hidden provision in global HIV/AIDS plan

A provision included in the bill approving America's US $15 billion HIV/AIDS plan urges developing countries to accept genetically modified crops, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. While this little-noticed part of the law is said to be a non-binding recommendation, it represents the latest US response to the European Union's (EU) decision to close its markets to genetically modified foods. However, US congressman Frank Ballance has argued that the provision was created out of concern that people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countryies might not obtain vital nourishment without US food aid. Less than a week ago, President George W Bush charged that the EU stance on genetically modified food was perpetuating African hunger.