Conflicts of interest at government authorities and German Research Foundation (DFG)
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Munich
A new Testbiotech report reveals some, at least partially, hidden networks enabling the biotech industry to influence state authorities and research institutions dealing with genetically engineered plants. The authorities involved include the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the research institutes of the German ministry of agriculture (BMELV) and a committee at the German Research Foundation (DFG). The report identifies 17 experts with conflicts of interest.
Testbiotech has filed an opposition to a patent (EP1263521) held by Ovasort (UK). The patent covers human sperm cells selected for their sex intended for use in in-vitro fertilisation and the production of female offspring. The patent violates European Patent law, which prohibits patents on human germ cells and the development of the human body. Nevertheless, the European Patent Office has granted such patents several times.
Brussels 10.05. 2012. Today the European Parliament voted against granting discharge of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) budget for the year 2010. By doing so, it adopted a report from its Committee on Budgetary Control criticising EFSA very harshly for conflicts of interest and revolving door cases.
Upon request of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Diána Bánáti has resigned on 8 May as member and Chair of the Management Board with immediate effect. She has decided to take up a professional position at the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI).
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