Genetically modified (GM) foods - Australia advised benefits outweigh risks
Much has been written about Genetically Modified (GM) foods in Genetics and Health and many readers have made some perceptive and well argued cases for and against the introduction of GM foods into the food chain as seen in the article Genetically Modified Foods - pros and cons. Here is a further piece of research making the case for the introduction of GM Foods.
A University of Queensland, Australia study ( UQ PhD ) recommends Australian states should not ban commercial production of genetically modified (GM) plants and food as the risks are alarmist and exaggerated.
The study found the benefits of GM plants and food outweighed the risks, finding no compelling evidence of harm to humans from GM plants. GM plants have been trialled in most states with South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia the only states to ban GM plants. South Australia and Tasmania are reviewing their moratoriums.
The study author, ethicist Dr Lucy Carter, spent three-and-a-half years examining arguments and evidence for and against the development and use of GM plants and food in Australia and in the developing world. Dr Carter said there was no evidence to justify continuing moratoriums on commercial GM planting so long as thorough risk assessments were done.
Dr Lucy Carter
Opponents say GM products are unnatural, potentially harmful to humans and capable of environmental injury and creating ’superweeds’.
Dr Carter maintains that the risks of GM plants transferring allergenic proteins to novel foods or creating superweeds were very low.
“If you take a GM plant and a conventional plant, you can’t easily create a hybrid that is both strong enough to withstand natural environmental conditions as well as survive all eradication attempts unless you’re in the lab,” Dr Carter said. “It’s just too difficult.”
For further information click on:
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=13868
Elaine Warburton
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health, Genetic Engineering, Genetic Ethics, Genetically Modified Foods, Genetics and the Law, Lifestyle, gmo
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