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.

Bt Cotton and Small-scale Farmers in Makhathini – A Story of Debt, Dependency, and Dicey Economics

This is a story about the experiences of the farmers of Makhathini in South Africa with Bt cotton. It is also a story about dependency and indebtedness. […]

Science-based Approaches to Assessing Allergenicity of New Proteins in GE Foods

Michael Hanson of Consumers Union stresses the need to have a sound, consistent, and comprehensive protocol for assessing the potential allergenicity of GE food. He comments on what the assessment should contain and how it should be conducted. […]

Scenarios for co-existence of GM, conventional and organic crops in European agriculture

Farmers, particularly organic and conventional farmers, would face high additional costs if GE crops are commercially grown on a large scale in Europe. […]

Evidences of Roundup Ready Soybean Yield Drag in the US

Studies on the performance of Roundup Ready soyabena in the US shows that the GM crop recorded lower yields than conventional varieties. […]

GM Foods: Potential Human Health Effects

A review of the scientific literature led by Dr Arpad Puzstai on food safety found that some existing studies support his early warnings on the safety of GM foods on health. […]

GMOs — A Decade of Failure

The promises made by biotech companies have failed to become reality. […]

Manual, Video on Assessing GMOs

A group of scientist has written a manual on assessing the potential ecological and health effects of GMOs. An explanatory video on the manual is also available. […]

Bt Corn Costs Often Higher Than Returns in Indiana

Genetically modified seed designed to stop a destructive worm from devouring corn plants may itself take a bite out of some corn growers’ profits, says a Purdue University agricultural economist. […]

More and more Superweeds

According to the Greenpeace report, diverse species of Roundup resistant weeds are now growing in Roundup Ready GE crop fields in several states in the US. It has become clear that growing and releasing GE seeds not only involves an incalculable risk to t […]

Broken Promises

Will GM crops really help developing countries? Lim Li Ching looks at some telling examples in Kenya, Indonesia and India. […]