Assessment & Impacts

Principles and Approaches Genetic interactions in ecosystems are more dynamic and complex than acknowledged so far. Genetic change and genetic exchange phenomena seem to occur more frequently in nature than in laboratories, and may be regulated by unknown environmental factors. Local environmental conditions and chemical contaminants (pesticides and other xenobiotics), that will undoubtedly vary in concentrations and combinations between different locations are examples of such environmental factors. These may have impacts on the extent of horizontal gene transfer, and on how modified genes are expressed and affect the recipient organisms. Consequently, it is important to establish model systems in the laboratory, which mimic the ecological interactions and complexity of the real world.

Basis for risk assessment and management:
Risk and probability are not the same. Risk can be defined as the probability of an occurrence of an incident or phenomenon, multiplied by the consequences arising therefrom, if it occurs. At this moment we know little about both probability and consequences in relation to putative health and environmental effects of many genetic engineering applications.

Horizontal gene transfer: Horizontal gene transfer signifies a non-sexual transmission of genetic information within or between species. The phenomenon is common in nature, but our knowledge concerning ecological processes promoting such events and barriers prohibiting them is scanty.

Socio-economic considerations: The impact of genetically modified organisms goes beyond ecological and health dimensions. They have profound impact on society, including livelihoods, production systems, trade, culture and ethics.

Socio-Cultural Aspects of Native Maize Diversity

This paper was submitted to the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America as part of the Article 13 initative on Maize and Biodiversity: the Effects of Transgenic Maize in Mexico. […]

What can Science Say on the Safety of GM Foods?

Arpad Pusztai stressed the need for a science-based protocol that assesses the safety or otherwise of GM foods. In particular, he described science that should have been done before GM crops and foods were commercialised. […]

Eating Growth Factors? No Thanks

Extending from Arpad Pusztai’s talk, Stanley Ewen discusses the effect of GM potatoes on rat guts. While he believes that GM potatoes are fully carcinogenic, he cautioned that what we eat might have indirect effects. […]

New evidence of dangers of Roundup weedkiller

New studies show that Roundup, a common herbicide, can have harmful health effects. This has major consequences as the bulk of commercially planted GM crops are designed to tolerate Roundup with its active ingredient, glyphosate. […]

New evidence of dangers of Roundup weedkiller

New studies show that Roundup, a common herbicide, can have harmful health effects. This has major consequences as the bulk of commercially planted GM crops are designed to tolerate Roundup with its active ingredient, glyphosate, and independent field dat […]

The need for a more stringent biosafety regime

There are scientific and safety reasons to be very careful about genetic engineering. This article highlights some of the limitations and gaps of current safety assessment of the new biotechnologies and products. […]

Genetically Engineered Crops and Pesticide Use in the United States: The First Nine Years

Drawing on nine years of US Dept of Agriculture data, Benbrook demonstrates unequivocally that in the first three years of commercial use, the claim of GM proponents was justified. But since 1999 it has not been. […]

Analysis of MON863 by Arpad Pustzai

Arpad Pustzai warns against allowing the MON 863 GM maize to be licensed. […]

Assessing Monsanto’s Report on MON 863 GM maize

Prof. Gilles-Eric Séralini of the University of Caen, analyses Monsanto’s study on MON863 GM maize. […]

The Economics of Bt corn in the Philippines

An analysis which debunks the benefits of Bt corn and concludes that there are more safer and viable alternatives for poor farmers in the Philippines. […]