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.

Genetically modified foods and health: a second interim statement

While recognizing that genetic engineering has its risks and potential benefits, the British Medical Association in its second and updated statement on GM foods and health in March 2004 called for caution in approaching the issue. […]

Flaws in RR soybean safety assessment

This is an assessment by Masaharu Kawata of Nagoya University, Japan which found that the safety assessment application made by Monsanto to the Japanese Health Ministry for approval of Roundup Ready soybeans were “inadequate and incomplete”. […]

GM Food Aid Row Continues

At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, the most contentious issue that was not on the official agenda, but which reverberated through the corridors, was on GM food aid. […]

Submission of the British Medical Association to the Health and Community Care Committee On The Health Impact Of Gm Crop Trials

The British Medical Association has issued a warning on the health implications of GM crops in calling for a moratorium on GM crop trials in Scotland. […]

Genetically Modified Organisms 25 Years On

It has been more than 25 years since the advent of genetic engineering. As Dr. Mae-Wan Ho and Prof. Joe Cummins of the Institute of Science in Society point out the predicted financial boom has not materialised, nor the promised benefits to agriculture a […]

GM DNA in Human Gut Underestimated

In a comprehensive critique, Mae-Wan Ho sets out to show that the transfer of GM DNA in the human gut could be much more extensive than the data suggests. […]

Genetically Modified Organisms 25 Years On

It has been more than 25 years since the advent of genetic engineering. As Dr. Mae-Wan Ho and Prof. Joe Cummins of the Institute of Science in Society point out the predicted benefits did not materialised. […]

Genetically Modified Organisms 25 Years On

It has been more than 25 years since the advent of genetic engineering. As Dr. Mae-Wan Ho and Prof. Joe Cummins of the Institute of Science in Society point out the promises and predictions of the benefits have not materialised. […]

Pugwash: The Impact of Agricultural Biotechnology

Statement issued by the Pugwash Workshop on the “Impact of Agricultural Biotechnology on Environmental and Food Security” held in Mexico in May 2002. […]

Killer virus sparking biotech fears

In 2001, a deadly new virus was created during a genetic engineering experiment has set off warning bells that the use of the technology should be very carefully monitored and regulated. […]