2000 euro fine for destroying genetically changed vines

In court the biologist said that what he did was "for environmental protection" and that he wanted to cause a debate about genetically changed organisms. The federal agricultural research institute INRA claimed the punishment was way too mild. It was no strong signal for all those who pose a danger to "public research" with such actions.

The Strasbourg administrative court declared the controversial research field illegal in late September, since part of the EU-guidelines for the release of genetically changed organisms were not adhered to.(aw.yoopress)