Some fantastic responses (item 1) to Taverne's article Beware blind faith of food fundamentalists,
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=305572005

As if to prove the point of the letter writer who says, "No-one knows what the long-term effects will be, and public concern is backed by science", the The European Commission has just published (item 2) "a call for tenders for a study on the cumulative long-term effects of genetically modified (GM) crops on human/animal health, and environment: risk assessment methodologies." A little bit late to start thinking about that now, isn't it?!!
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Biotech industry is determined to quash evidence of GM crops risk
The Scotsman, 24 March 2005
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/letters.cfm?id=313802005

Dick Taverne's article, "Beware blind faith of the food fundamentalists" (Opinion, 22 March), reveals much about his own blind faith in GM technology. Sense about Science claims to "encourage an evidence-based approach to scientific and technological developments". If it was genuinely pro-science, it would take a rational, unbiased approach. Instead, it is wedded to GM technology, and ignores the growing evidence against it.

The article is full of the same tired old arguments in favour of GM crops: they are good for the environment, they will feed the world, they are safe to eat. Not one stands up to scrutiny.

The only trials that have been carried out concluded that three out of the four crops had an adverse impact on farmland biodiversity. They took such a narrow view that they didn’t even look at wider impacts.

Hunger in the developing world isn’t caused by a lack of food, but by unequal distribution of food. GM crops cannot address this issue.

And if the biotech industry is so confident about the safety of its products, why has it fought tooth and nail to prevent comprehensive tests being carried out on them?

MARK RUSKELL, MSP
Scottish Parliament

Dick Taverne is rather disingenuous when he protests his lack of involvement on the topic of GM crops being grown in the UK, as he has a vested interest in this. Many of us who campaigned about GMOs also had a vested interest: the right to choose what we eat. GM crops deny that right, due to contamination of other crops.

I believe that, as a consumer, I have the right to buy the food that I want to feed my family. I also believe that food should not be contaminated by genetically modified organisms on which no health testing has been carried out, and for which no-one will accept liability, if at some point in the future it is proved unsafe.

Our food should be proved safe before it goes on sale to the public, and GMOs haven’t been. What kind of mother would I be if I did otherwise?

LINDA MARTIN
Munlochy, Black isle
Ross-shire

Once again we are subjected to "nonsense about science" from Dick Taverne. If he took the time to do some actual research on the subject, he would find that what he continues to claim as the truth is in fact nothing but a pack of lies. Pesticide use has not declined, but is increasing. Yields are going down. And there is no evidence that the products are safe; most independent studies are critical of them.

IAN FORRESTER
Silver Springs Hill, NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I have to take issue with Dick Taverne over his suggestion that opponents to the introduction of GM foods "claim to rely on evidence". The statement is untrue: opponents who have done their homework quickly find out that there is no evidence.

Key tests on changes in our digestive, immune and reproductive systems in response to novel foods have not been instituted. Concern over GM foods is unlikely to be reduced by scientists who insult the public.

JOANNA CLARKE
Hamilton Drive
Glasgow

The only people who want GM foods are those with a business interest or people in government who want to honour trade agreements with the United States. No-one knows what the long-term effects will be, and public concern is backed by science.

JULES MARCHANT
Society Street
Nairn
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GM effects on human and animal health and the environment - call for tenders
http://dbs.cordis.lu/cgi-bin/srchidadb?CALLER=NHP_EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN=EN_RCN_ID:23573

[Date: 2005-03-24]

The European Commission has published a call for tenders for a study on the cumulative long-term effects of genetically modified (GM) crops on human/animal health, and environment: risk assessment methodologies.

The objectives of this project include the following:
- collecting and collating existing information/studies demonstrating the existence or potential for long-term effects of GM crops;
- assessing and documenting the adequacy of existing risk assessment methodologies/protocols to account for the above effects from different GM crops and to identify possible gaps/lack of knowledge and where further research is required;
- developing specific methodology (e.g. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), checklists) in terms of risk assessment with associated risk assessment criteria (e.g. specific indicators, etc.), for potential cumulative long-term effects from individual groups of GM crops (e.g. species) and for different transgenic phenotypes (e.g. herbicide tolerance, insect tolerance). This task should be prioritised to take account of the types of GM plants released within the Community at the present time and those predicted for the near future;
- indicating, as appropriate, the types and extent of risk management measures (including monitoring activities) required to address potential long-term effects.

For further information, please contact:

European Commission
Directorate-General Environment
Unit ENV.F.2, BU-5 00/122
B-1049 Brussels
Tel: +32-2 296 0008
Fax: +32-2 299 44 49
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To see the full details of the call, please consult the following web address:
http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?REQUEST=Seek-Deliver&LANGUAGE=en&DOCID=056364-2005

Remarks: The deadline for requesting tender documents is 29.4.2005.
The deadline for submitting tender documents is 17.5.2005.

Before contacting the Commission, tenderers are strongly advised to consult the original call text in the Official Journal of the European Union at the reference below.

Category: Tender
Data Source Provider: Official Journal of the European Union
Document Reference: OJ No S 59-056364 of 24.3.2005
Subject Index : Medicine, Health; Safety; Food; Agriculture

RCN: 23573