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by Daniel Barker, Natural News:
A controversial research trial involving the testing of GMO bananas on humans is likely to proceed, despite public outcry and a petition with nearly 60,000 signatures from those who question its safety.
The “transgenic feeding study” is planned to take place at Iowa State University, under the sponsorship of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – an organization which has been heavily involved in promoting GM agriculture worldwide.
The study, which is scheduled to take place this year, will involve 12 ISU student participants who will be paid $900 each to consume three bananas – one of which will be genetically-altered.
Efforts to stop the study
A campaign opposing the study was launched in 2014 – when plans for the project were first announced – by activists concerned about the Gates Foundation’s GM agricultural activities in Africa, where the genetically-modified bananas are planned to eventually be introduced.
In December 2014, an open letter was sent to the Gates Foundation, the leaders of the proposed study, and the Human-Institutional Review Board at Iowa State.
From Iowa State Daily:
“This letter expressed concerns such as the general safety of genetically modified crops for humans, the relevance of testing on a population other than where the banana will end up, specifics of the study such as if fats will be given to the subjects and risks of maintaining diets that consume only one or two foods.
“The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa then reached out to ISU students looking for signatures for their letter.”