Defend Gilles-Eric Séralini and Transparency in GMO Risk Assessment!

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Defend Gilles-Eric Séralini and Transparency in GMO Risk Assessment!

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/defendiSeralini.php

 

Gilles-Eric Séralini, professor of molecular biology at the University of Caen

in France, and president of the scientific council for independent research on

genetic engineering (CRIIGEN), is among the world’s leading researchers into

the risks of GMOs. He has been an expert adviser to the French government

(1998-2007) and the European Union at the World Trade Organization and the

Council of Ministers on GMOs (2003, 2008), and recipient of the Order of Merit

of France for his scientific career (2008). The work of his research team

appears regularly in peer-reviewed scientific journals and is highly regarded

within the scientific community. His critique of the dossier submitted by

Monsanto’s subsidiary in India for commercial growing of ‘Bt Brinjal’ (GM

egg plant) played an important part in persuading the Indian Environment

Minister to impose a moratorium [1] Bt Brinjal Halted(SiS 46).

 

Séralini and his colleagues recently performed a thorough re-analysis of data

submitted by Monsanto to obtain commercial approval in Europe for three GM maize

lines, MON 863, MON 810, NK603. They concluded that [2], “these data highlight

signs of hepatorenal toxicity, possibly due to the new pesticides specific to

each GM corn. In addition, unintended direct or indirect metabolic consequences

of the genetic modification cannot be excluded.â€

 

Their conclusions corroborate the results of practically all studies carried out

by scientists independent of the biotech industry, as well as the experience of

farmers and workers in the field that ISIS has reported since 1999 (for a recent

summary see [3] GM is Dangerous and Futile, SiS 40).

 

These findings call into question the validity of the commercial approval

granted by the European Commission and the favourable opinion of the European

Food Safety Authority (EFSA), long criticised for its bias in favour of the

biotech industry [4] GM Food Nightmare Unfolding in the Regulatory Sham(ISIS

scientific publication). Not surprisingly, the findings of Séralini and his

colleagues are dismissed by Monsanto, EFSA as well as the Food Safety Authority

of Australia and New Zealand (FSAANZ, also criticised for its pro-industry

stance).

 

However, Séralini is now the target of a concerted campaign to vilify and

discredit him, involving not just Monsanto, EFSA and FSAANZ, but also scientific

societies representing biotechnology in France: the French Association of Plant

Biotechnology and the French High Counsel on Biotechnology. This seriously

threatens his funding to continue research for public good and also his job.  

 

A large number of academics, professors and researchers have signed up to

protest against the defamation and victimisation of Séralini, and to defend

openness and transparency in the risk assessment of GMOs. The protest is being

organised by the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental

Responsibility (ENSSER) http://www.ensser.org/. They have produced a letterand

Appendix with full details. To sign up, please send an e-mail to

support-seralini your name, academic position,

institution and country. Please also forward this letter to your colleagues.

 

References

 

1. Ho MW. Bt brinjal halted but fight against GM neo-colonialism continues.

Science in Society 46(to appear).

 

2. De Vendómois JS, Roullier F, Cellier D and Séralini G-E. A comparison of

the effects of three GM corn varieties on mammalian health. Int J Biol Sci 2009,

5, 706-26.

 

3. Ho MW. GM is dangerous and futile. Science in Society 40, 4-8, 2008.

 

4. Ho MW, Cummins J and Saunders PT. GM food nightmare unfolding in the

regulatory sham. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 2007, 19, 66-77.

 

 

There are 4 comments on this article so far. Add your comment

 

Prof.emerita Alice KehoeComment left 28th April 2010 07:07:48

My colleague in England, Cherry Lavell, sent me this piece which is all too

believable so I wish to express my solidarity with Gilles-Eric Seralini.

Emmanuelle Schick GarciaComment left 2nd May 2010 21:09:22

I am the director of the documentary " The Idiot Cycle. " After six years of

research into the chemical industry, cancer establishment and gmos, I have found

that the important work and vital questions that Prof. Séralini has raised in

regards to gmos have not been adequately answered by the biotech indutsry. The

biotech industry has attacked anyone with legitimate concerns, but spends little

time actually presenting studies which put those concerns to rest. In a

democracy, debates are essential. It is vital that Prof. Séralini's concerns be

raised, be addressed, and be taken seriously. The rampant conflicts of interest

in government, research, and universities are eroding the democratic debates we

should be having in regards to this new technology.

Dr. Katalin RodicsComment left 4th May 2010 17:05:43

More transparency, independent and more detailed studies needed in GMO risk

assessment!!

Dr. I.S. PerlingieriComment left 28th April 2010 17:05:10

28 April 2010 Dear I-SIS, Regarding this article, I also support Dr. Gilles-Eric

Sérilini's research and findings about the dangers of GMOs. We all need to come

together in solidarity and stop the dangerous and toxic spread of these poisons.

In this regard, an article was posted a few days ago in the US about Russian

biologist Alexy V. Surov's research on the toxicity of Monsanto's GM soy. Here

is the link: www.rense.com/general90/soy.htm