Controversial GM potato research is published at last15 October 1999
Friends of the Earth welcomed the Lancet's decision to publish research by Dr Stanley Ewen and Dr Arpad Puzstai on the feeding of genetically modified (GM) potatoes to rats and accompanying commentaries after a 14-month debate about the validity of the results.
Friends of the Earth has backed the Lancet's criticism of prominent scientists for "berating critics rather than engaging them" and the Royal Society for "criticising reports of research... before those data were reviewed and published in the proper way." Although Friends of the Earth agrees that the results are "preliminary and non-generalisable", the Government should not ignore Ewan and Pusztai's conclusions.
Scientific concern about the potential impacts of GM food clearly exist. Other articles in the Lancet (Vol 354, 16 October 1999) highlight the problem of using laboratory animals in assessing food safety. It also adds weight to the scientific debate about current GM food safety assessment.
Charles Secrett, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth said:
"We congratulate the Lancet on its decision to publish this research. This has provided an opportunity for Dr Ewen and Dr Pusztai to tell the world about their work. The debate generated by this issue clearly shows that there is no scientific consensus about the safety of GM food or the methods used to research it. The Government should suspend all GM food approvals and instigate an assessment of the best methods to research their safety. Continuing to allow GM food on to the market in the present climate ignores the precautionary principle which is supposed to underpin the Government's approach to protecting public health and the environment."
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