Controversy about the health risks of genetically engineered soybeans
Thursday, 31 March 2016
The EU Commission wants to prevent Testbiotech from initiating a legal revision of a decision to allow the import of genetically engineered soybeans. This move by the Commission is in contradiction to previous decisions and Testbiotech has now initiated a precedent case at the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) to gain access to justice (T-33/16).
“Revolving doors with industry are fast becoming EFSA´s main entrance”
Monday, 21 March 2016
In a letter to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Testbiotech is urging its executive Director Bernhard Url, to take measures to safeguard EFSA's independence and restore its credibility. The letter was prompted by the fact that in January Barbara Gallani was appointed EFSA communications director. Ms Gallani is currently serving as chief scientist at the UK food industry lobby group, the Food and Drink Federation and will take up her position at EFSA without any cooling-off period. Risk communication is one of the most important tasks undertaken by EFSA.
Further authorisation of genetically engineered soybeans sprayed with a combination of herbicides pending
7 March 2016 Testbiotech accuses the EU Commission of disregarding the precautionary principle. The precautionary principle is an essential part of EU regulations to protect the environment and food safety. If there is any indication that either people or the environment are in some way endangered it means that prohibitions can be declared, even if the exact details of the particular hazard are not known. In the case of glphosate, the WHO has categorised the active ingredient as „probably carcinogenic“.
Soaring number of patent applications including those on farm animals
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
Testbiotech has published a report which for the first time gives an overview of patents filed by large corporations for the use of gene-editing and synthetic gene technology in food plants. According to the research presented in the report, DuPont and Dow Agrosciences are the corporates that have filed the highest number of patent applications for plants derived from the new methods. They are closely followed by German company, Bayer. In addition, there is an increasing number of patents being filed for the use of these methods in farm animals.
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