London - Eighty-five scientists have joined forces to challenge the claims of biotech giants and the UK government that GM food is safe for humans.
The industry and Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who has responsibility for food and farming, have embarked on a huge public relations exercise to win over a sceptical public to genetically modified food.
The campaign is built on an assurance that the food is safe to eat and could defeat a host of ills from malnutrition in the Third World to blindness in children.
GM supporters also insist crops are safe for the environment and to be used as animal feed.
However, these assurances have been questioned by the scientists, who warn there is a serious lack of independent research into the health effects of GM food.
Studies involving feeding trials with animals suggest eating GM food could cause real harm, such as allergies, inflammation of internal organs and even breast cancer. The group has signed a joint statement which concludes: “The claimed consensus on GM organism safety does not exist.”
They warn that most of the positive research has been run and paid for by biotech companies such as Monsanto, which have invested millions in trying to get the world to eat their crops.
Professor Brian Wynne, of Lancaster University, said: “There is no consensus amongst scientific researchers over the health or environmental safety of GM crops and foods, and it is misleading and irresponsible for anyone to claim that there is.
“Many salient questions remain open, while more are being discovered and reported by independent scientists.”
Mr Paterson has often cited the situation in the US as evidence that GM causes no health risk. He argues that the fact people have been eating these foods for almost 20 years demonstrates they are safe and last week he dismissed opponents as “wicked”. - Daily Mail