GMW: Secret Monsanto study published/Scientists comment on disturbing findings

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GMW: Secret Monsanto study published/Scientists comment on

disturbing findings

" GM WATCH " <info

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 14:21:52 +0100

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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EXCERPTS: " If a trial produces such striking results, it must at all

events be repeated... The safety standards in EU authorisation procedures

for genetically manipulated plants are in general inadequate " -

Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini of the French state Commission du Genie

Biomoleculaire (CGB), which is responsible for risk assessments of GM

plants

 

" It cannot be presumed that the damage to the rats' inner organs and

the animals' blood picture are based on chance. The documents also show

that the set-up for the experiments was inadequate and evaluation of the

data incorrect. Further investigations are absolutely necessary. " -

Prof Arpad Pusztai, who made a risk assessment of Mon863 for the German

government

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

22 JUNE 2005

 

GM maize has risks and side effects

 

Greenpeace publishes company documents on rat-feeding trials

 

BERLIN Greenpeace is today publishing confidential Monsanto corporation

documents on feeding trials conducted on rats using genetically

manipulated (GM) maize. The animals displayed negative health effects

after

being fed Monsanto's Mon863 GM maize, which produces an insecticidal

toxin.

 

The higher administrative court in Münster released the documents on

Monday after Greenpeace had successfully pressed to inspect them in

accordance with the EU law on environmental information. The judgement

sets

a precedent for cases in which companies keep their documents on

GM-plant risk assessment secret. The EU environment council in Luxembourg

will decide whether to authorise imports of this maize on Friday.

Greenpeace and scientists are together calling for an import ban on

Mon863; the

German government should vote against it being authorised.

 

" The GM maize should not be allowed to be licensed as food or feedstuff

in EU countries, " said Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini of the French

state Commission du Genie Biomoleculaire (CGB), which is responsible for

risk assessments of GM plants.

" If a trial produces such striking results, it must at all events be

repeated. "

 

The release of the documents means that scientists like Professor

Seralini are no longer bound to maintain confidentiality. " The safety

standards in EU authorisation procedures for genetically manipulated

plants

are in general inadequate, " said Professor Seralini, speaking at a

Greenpeace press conference in Berlin.

 

Professor Arpad Pusztai, who had already made a risk assessment of

Mon863 for the German government, also warns against allowing the

maize to

be licensed. " It cannot be presumed that the damage to the rats' inner

organs and the animals' blood picture are based on chance. The

documents also show that the set-up for the experiments was inadequate

and

evaluation of the data incorrect. Further investigations are absolutely

necessary. "

 

Mon863 produces a so-called Bt-toxin, to protect it against the corn

rootworm. This toxin is not identical to the substance contained in GM

plants already licensed in Europe and which makes them resistant to the

corn borer. Mon863 furthermore contains a controversial gene conferring

resistance to antiobiotics, which according to EU release Directive

2001/18/EC should be avoided. It cannot be ruled out that the gene

sequence will transfer to disease-causing agents and thus encourage the

creation of new resistant pest organism.

 

The ministers will also vote in Luxembourg on existing national bans on

the importing and cultivation of GM plants. Five EU countries including

Germany are appealing to a national protection clause in the EU law.

The Commission has called on countries to lift the bans. To date only the

UK and the Netherlands are supporting the EU Commission.

 

" Few countries want to have their rights curtailed, " says Greenpeace's

Christoph Then. " Lifting national restrictions must be rejected just as

the authorisation of Mon863 GM maize must be. The EU must prove that it

believes in the importance of protecting consumers and the

environment. "

 

NOTES TO EDITOR

 

Please direct your enquiries to Christoph Then, mobile phone no. +49

(0)171-878-0832, or Simone Miller, press officer, tel. + 49 (0)171 870

6647.

 

You can obtain a paper with background information by calling +49

(0)40-30618 386. Greenpeace is on the internet in Germany at

www.greenpeace.de and internationally at www.greenpeace.org

 

 

 

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