Testbiotech and Gen-ethisches Netzwerk are calling for an official opinion
Friday, 2 March 2012
Munich/Berlin
The NGOs Testbiotech and Gen-ethische Netzwerk (GeN) have today published an open letter addressed to the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, calling on her to stop the creation of new variations of the bird flu virus and back limited access to genetic data. Scientists have been able to manufacture an H5N1 type virus in the laboratory, which is extremely dangerous for mammals. The researchers agreed on 20 January 2012 to a moratorium in order to give the public an opportunity to take up a position on this issue.
Insecticidal Bt toxins such as those produced in genetically engineered plants can be detrimental to human cells. This is a result of recent research led by researchers at the University of Caen (France). Their experiments showed that toxins produced in, for example, the genetically engineered maize MON810, can significantly impact the viability of human cells. The effects were observed with relatively high concentrations of the toxins, nevertheless there is cause for concern. For the first time, experiments have now shown that they can have an toxic effect to human cells.
Rising doubts about safety of genetically engineered plants
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Bruxelles
In a letter to Commissioner Dalli, Testbiotech and GeneWatch UK give new evidence of EFSA´s failure to perform risk assessment of genetically engineered plants. A detailed analysis of original documents as filed by Monsanto for their genetically engineered maize sold under brand of Genuity VT Triple PRO shows that crucial documents do not meet the standards of so called Good Laboratory Practice (GLP standards).
Munich/ Brussels. 25 January 2012. The European Commission has presented a new draft Regulation for the risk assessment of food and feed. For the first time, it would mean that the European Food Safety Authority EFSA would have to work to legally binding standards. However, as a first Testbiotech analysis shows, the proposed standards are not sufficient to exclude risks for human health and the environment.
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