Friday, March 07, 2014
To the Editor:
In his Dec. 13 op-ed, “Science Still Indicates that GM Food is Safe,” James Greiff argues that science has shown GMO foods to be safe. He does not cite any independent or government science that shows that, because he can’t. The only “scientific” analysis done on GMOs in this country has been done by Monsanto, DuPont, Syngenta, Bayer, BASF and Dow. None of these chemical, seed or GMO corporations will allow independent testing of their patented GMO products in the U.S. All of the health and safety data submitted to the FDA to obtain approval of their products were provided by GMO corporations. We would, of course, expect the genetic engineers to claim their products to be safe. Remember that tobacco corporations claimed their products were safe for years, and belittled any test indicating they were not. The FDA, the USDA and the EPA have done no health and safety testing, in spite of growing evidence of harm.
Gilles-Eric Seralini, the scientist attacked by Greiff, is not the only critic of GMO food. Dozens of European and Asian studies have shown serious problems with GMO foods and animal feed. Several studies have shown liver and kidney abnormalities and a thickening of the intestinal wall. Others concluded that animals on GMO feed become obese. Hogs have shown intestinal abnormalities. As a result of such mounting evidence, scientists around the world, not to mention the Consumers Union, are skeptical about the safety of GMOs. Currently, GMO products are not labeled in the U.S. Without labeling, how are we to decide which products are responsible for kidney and liver abnormalities, intestinal distress, weight gain and a host of other health problems that researchers have uncovered in European and Asian studies? Labeling GMO foods is required in 64 countries. But it’s not because Seralini did bad science, as Greiff implies. These countries require labeling because they are concerned about health risks, and they want to protect their citizens, who overwhelmingly fear genetically engineered foods. Don’t we deserve the same protections as China, Russia, South Africa, and 61 other countries?
Will Allen
Co-Manager, Cedar Circle Farm
East Thetford