Scientists Warn of Hazards of GMOs

A study conducted by eight international researchers calls into question the reliability of tests of the European Food Safety (EFSA) and the US FDA to assess the health risks of GMOs and pesticides, it was learned Wednesday.

The article, signed by French, Italian, New Zealand, British and American experts, is published by the website of the International Journal of Biological Science, according to a press release from the Research Committee of Independent Information on Genetic Engineering (CRIIGEN), chaired by former environment minister Corinne Lepage and based in Caen.

“Agricultural GM companies and evaluation committees systematically overlook the side effects of GMOs and pesticides. This is clearly illustrated by the EFSA and the US FDA, which evaluated the controversial GM maize varieties MON 863 and MON 810,” said CRIIGEN.

The study brings to light ”
a significant underestimation of the initial signs of diseases like cancer and diseases of the hormonal, immune, nervous and reproductive systems, among others,” said CRIIGEN.

“We demand the systematic publication of the results of these tests, which we could only obtain on a case by case basis by taking legal action,” Gilles-Eric Seralini, one of eight authors of the article, who teaches at the University of Caen and chairs the scientific board of CRIIGEN, told Agence France Presse. “The health crises may be more important than the international financial crisis because of the lack of transparency of the regulators,” concludes CRIIGEN.

On Friday, France rejected the findings of the EFSA which judged that MON810 does not pose risks.

Click here to read the study results.