Research shows risk of invasive spread in centre of biodiversity
11 February 2021/ It is known that genetically engineered (GE) cotton is spreading within populations of wild cotton species in Mexico. Resulting offspring are often transgenic and, consequently, produce insecticides or are resistant to the herbicide, glyphosate. A recently published paper has now shown that there are disturbances in the interactions between the transgenic offspring and their environment. This finding has serious implications for the protection of wild cotton species because Mexico is one of the centres of origin for cotton.
3 Februar 2021 / Japan granted approval in January for the first ‘CRISPR tomatoes’ to be used in food production. There are plans to distribute the genetically engineered (GE) plants to home gardeners. The tomatoes contain a much higher concentration of a plant compound (GABA) compared to those derived from conventional breeding. This is an example of how it is possible to bring about major changes in the composition of food plants without inserting additional genes. The cultivation and consumption of the tomatoes are, however, associated with a wide range of risks.
Decision ignores recent studies and EU Parliament resolutions
Monday, 25 January 2021
The EU Commission has approved eight applications for the import of genetically engineered plants. The approvals were issued for maize and soybeans which produce insecticidal toxins and are engineered to be resistant to herbicides such as glyphosate; the approvals include five new variants of GE plants and three renewals. The harvest of these plants is now allowed for import and usage in food and feed. By the end of last year, the EU Parliament had already passed several resolutions demanding that these imports could not be not allowed.
New report provides evidence that EFSA systematically ignores specific risks
Thursday, 21 January 2021
Testbiotech has published a new report providing evidence that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is intentionally keeping significant risks related to genetically engineered (GE) plants ‘in the dark’. While EFSA is aware that the data compiled by industry are insufficient to demonstrate the safety of the plants, it has nevertheless failed to take action to solve the problems. On the contrary, the authority has for years defended assumptions even if they are in contradiction to the facts.
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