Aktuelles

The double standards of EFSA

Bias in assessing scientific evidence for risks of genetically engineered plants

Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Munich

In a new backgrounder, Testbiotech shows that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) uses double standards in assessing scientific publications. According to an analysis presented today, the authority applies differing standards to assess risks of genetically engineered plants and EFSA´s findings appear to be influenced by assumptions.

European Patent Office issues patents on chimpanzees

Initiative urges more respect for animals

Monday, 22 October 2012

Munich/ Berlin

In 2012 the European Patent Office (EPO) has granted three patents on genetically engineered chimpanzees as recent research carried out by No Patents On Life shows. The animals are intended for use in pharmaceutical research. A joint initiative of several organisations is preparing legal oppositions against these patents and urging their legal prohibition. They are warning that such patents can create commercial incentives to run more animal experiments with chimpanzees and calling for animals to be treated with more respect.

EU Commission after Dalli: Who will take decisions on genetically engineered organisms? - Testbiotech urges a halt in decision- making

Munich/ Brussels. 17.10.2012 Now that Commissioner John Dalli has stepped back from his position for alleged fraud, Testbiotech is concerned that the EU Commission might use the coming weeks to push forward decisions before a new Commissioner has been appointed and properly introduced to his job. Testbiotech is asking for impending decisions to be halted and a reorganization of the Commissioner’s tasks.

EFSA under criticism by EU Court of Auditors - “Management of conflict of interest situations is not adequate”

Brussels, 13.10.2012. The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has recently published a report on the “Management of conflict of interest in selected EU Agencies”. None of the four EU agencies assessed - one being the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) - have adequate policies in place. Revolving doors at EFSA are explicitly mentioned in the report. One of the deficiencies identified is a lack of clear, transparent and consistent policies and procedures concerning a breach of trust by experts or staff members.