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No danger? : GM plants represent low risk, say scientists- swissinfo

Thursday, August 30, 2012 7:30
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Genetically modified (GM) plants present little danger for the environment or people’s health, according to Swiss researchers. Also, while they offer almost no benefit to farmers now, this could change if plants had the right properties.

Careful Swiss scientists have their say:

The government requested a national research programme on the risks and benefits of GM plants after the Swiss voted for a five-year moratorium on their use in 2005. The moratorium was extended for another three years by parliament.

Between 2007 and 2011, 30 projects were launched as part of the programme at a total cost of around SFr12 million ($12.5 million). Eleven focused on the environmental risks of GM wheat, maize and strawberries.

The researchers all reached the same conclusion: there were no identifiable negative effects on beneficial organisms, microorganisms or soil fertility. Three so-called meta-analyses that looked at more than 1,000 international studies reached similar findings.

“The national research programme did not reveal any risk for human health or the environment,” said National Science Foundation delegate Thomas Bernauer.

The scientists pointed out that wherever undesirable side-effects of GM crops had been registered, this was not due to genetic engineering gone wrong but was the result of “unsustainable agricultural practices, such as monocultures”.

But even if the risks seem minimal, consumers and farmers remain wary of GM produce: only a quarter of consumers would consider buying these products. However, 80 per cent of those polled said they should be able to choose if they want to purchase GM produce….

No danger? : GM plants represent low risk, say scientists- swissinfo:

 Additional information:
Links to the comprehensive literature reviews which were carried out (in addition to the Swiss research projects) to summarize the global knowledge about various aspects of GM crops:
Synthesis and Overview Studies to Evaluate Existing Research and Knowledge on Biological Issues on GM Plants of Relevance to Swiss Environments
NFP 59: Review of International Literature, Jeremy Sweet, Detlef Bartsch Full text: http://www.vdf.ethz.ch/service/3498/3499_Synthesis-and-Overview-Studies_OA.pdf
 Medical Issues Related to Genetically Modified Plants of Relevance to Switzerland 
NFP 59: Review of International Literature Karin Hoffmann-Sommergruber, Karoline Dorsch-Häsler Full text: http://www.vdf.ethz.ch/service/3496/3497_Medical-Issues-Related-to-Genetically-Modified-Plants_OA.pdf
Genetically Modified Crop Production: Social Sciences, Agricultural Economics, and Costs and Benefits of Coexistence
NFP 59: Review of International Literature Joachim Scholderer, Wim Verbeke Full text: http://www.vdf.ethz.ch/service/3494/3495_Genetically-Modified-Crop-Production_OA.pdf



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