Test of Altered Bacteria Delayed Further

SALINAS, Calif. — A moratorium on an Oakland firm’s controversial plans to test a genetically altered bacteria in Monterey County has been extended another 45 days until May 12 to allow more study.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 0 Tuesday night to extend the ban.

“I won’t make a (final) decision until I get the facts,” Sam Karas, board chairman, told about 100 people attending the hearing.

Walter Wong, the county’s environmental health officer, recommended extending the 45-day ban that had been due to expire March 28.

The action blocks Advanced Genetic Sciences, based in Oakland, from conducting open-air testing of genetically altered strains of naturally occurring bacteria at a strawberry patch in Prunedale.

Frost Damage

The company is developing the man-made bacteria it calls Frostban in hopes it can prevent frost damage in crops.

Formal approval of the test was given by the Environmental Protection Agency last November.

A federal judge in Washington has scheduled a hearing April 7 on efforts by the Foundation on Economic Trends, an environmental group, to halt the experiment.

The EPA is studying whether the firm violated federal regulations by testing the microbe in open air on the roof of its Oakland office in February, 1985, without permission. A report is expected March 24.

Environmentalists and some Monterey County residents fear the bacteria might be unsafe.