Brussels, 25 Jun 2004
A recently published survey by a team of scientists in Norway and Denmark has revealed a serious lack of public research into the health effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The study, by Professor Ian Pryme and Rolf Lembcke, published in the journal Nutrition and Health, found that only ten studies on the health effects of GM food or feed have been published. Furthermore, according to the professors, the quality of some of the research published was poor and inadequate.
'Although very many have voiced their opinions, both in the popular and scientific press, there is only very limited data published in peer reviewed journals concerning the safety of GM food. It would seem apparent that GM food regulation is currently based on a series of extremely insufficient guidelines,' states the report.
Over half of the published studies were carried out in collaboration with private companies, and none of those studies found any negative effects on humans. In the studies considered independent, namely studies carried out by institutions able to develop and cultivate GM plants themselves, 'adverse effects were reported (but not explained)' states the survey, adding that 'it is remarkable that these effects have all been observed after feeding for only 10 to14 days.'
Many studies remain unpublished, noted the report, while several others have been duplicated.
'In conclusion we feel that much more scientific effort and investigation is necessary before we can be satisfied that eating foods containing GM material in the long term is not likely to provoke any form of health problems. It will be essential to adequately test in a transparent manner each individual GM product before its introduction into the market,' ends the report.
To read the full report, please
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Item source: http://dbs.cordis.lu/cgi-bin/srchidadb?CALLER=NHP_EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN= EN_RCN_ID:22242