State to put modified
microalgae under microscope

A committee will hold a hearing on a
plan to grow genetically engineered
algae on the Big Island

KAILUA-KONA » A proposal to grow a genetically engineered microalgae is causing some concern on the Big Island, but the company chief says the project presents no threat to the island's environment.

Mera Pharmaceuticals is seeking state permits to begin testing and growing the microalgae on a four-acre outdoor site at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority just north of Kona.

The permits were deferred at last month's meeting of the state Department of Agriculture's Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals and will be discussed at the June 28 meeting.

"The board wants more time to review things -- we want better understanding of this algae and need greater clarity on any risks associated with it," Peter Young, chairman of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said following the May meeting.

Human proteins are added to the microalgae, which would be imported from a California laboratory and grown in enclosed bioreactor modules. Mera plans to use the algae for drugs to treat asthma, inflammations and even cancer.

Nancy Redfeather, a board member of Hawaiian Genetic Engineering Action Network, said her group is concerned about the possible unintended and unforeseen consequences of growing such a genetically engineered organism on the Big Island.

"They are going to use the Hawaii environment to try it out. There needs to be a real risk assessment before these things are imported into Hawaii," she said. "It's so radically new, yet it's being treated as if it's regular algae. They are going to have to be way more careful."

Redfeather said not enough is known about the potential negative impacts on the island's ecosystem and, while she understands the project could result in medical advancements, the decision should not be based on economics alone.

"If it turns out it can help people, then that's great," she said. "But Hawaii has a beautiful, pristine and very fragile environment. Are we going to pollute our native algae ecosystem before we really even understand it?"

Dan Beharry, Mera's chief executive officer, acknowledged the project has some experimental aspects, but insists it would not be a threat if it were to find its way out of the enclosure.

"This is a pretty obscure area of science," he said. "It is truly a pilot study. This project is designed to see if it would be feasible to grow commercially.

"We've worked with it, thought about it and assessed it and are comfortable with it."

The algae is not invasive nor toxic, Beharry said. It cannot survive in brackish or salt water, and cannot survive without light. This means it will not take over the oceans or ground waters, he said.

"There is no basis to believe there is any risk from this organism even in a modified state if it should escape," he said.

The public meeting later this month is a chance "to take a breath and provide residents with information," Beharry said.

He said some of the public's fears are the same at Mera.

"As much as people don't want it to get out, we don't want others to get in either," he said. "So we are perfectly aligned with the community on that one."

Beharry said the company already grows algae in Hawaii, most notably producing a natural astaxanthin antioxidant supplement with anti-inflammatory properties sold under the brand name AstaFactor.

Also, he said, the company has other options.

"If Hawaii doesn't want us, we'll do it someplace else," Beharry said, "and that won't be a very good advertisement for Hawaii."