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EMBARGOED
UNTIL 11:00 GMT, MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2002
Safety
checks for GM foods must be better, says Royal Society
Safety
assessments should be improved before a greater variety of foods
made from genetically modified plants are declared fit for human
consumption, a Royal Society report warns today (4 February 2002).
The
report concludes that there is no reason to doubt the safety of
foods made from GM ingredients that are currently available, nor to
believe that genetic modification makes foods inherently less safe
than their conventional counterparts. However, the report calls for
the tightening of regulations for all novel foods, particularly with
respect to allergy testing and the nutritional content of infant formula.
The
report also recommends that the methods for comparing GM foods with
their conventional counterparts, by applying the principle of
'substantial equivalence', should be made more explicit and objective
during safety assessments, and harmonised between Member States of
the European Union.
Professor
Jim Smith, who chaired the working group that produced the report,
said: "We have looked at all of the available research, and
found nothing to suggest that the process of genetic modification
makes potential foodstuffs inherently unsafe. However, we fully
support the public's right to know that all new foods, regardless of
whether they contain GM ingredients, are subjected to rigorous safety
and nutritional checks."
He
added: "The rather piecemeal approach to the regulation of GM
foods in the UK, and EU in general, means that there may be some
important gaps and inconsistencies. It is obvious that consumers want
their food to be safeguarded by rules that are rigorous enough to
prevent any loopholes. But the legislation must not be so restrictive
that it removes any incentive for introducing new food products that
are potentially beneficial to society."
The
report concludes that the use of DNA from viruses during the genetic
modification of plants poses a negligible risk to human health.
Similarly, consumers would not face any added threat if they digested
food containing plant DNA that has been genetically modified.
However,
the report recommends that allergy screening of all new foodstuffs,
regardless of whether they contain GM ingredients, should be extended
to include risks from inhalation. At present tests are only carried
out for material that is eaten, but there are potential risks of
allergic reactions, particularly for people involved in growing and
producing food products, from breathing in pollen, spores and dust.
Although
genetic modification may be used in future to improve the quality of
food, it could also have unintended adverse impacts on nutrition. The
report points out that babies are particularly vulnerable to changes
in the nutritional content of their food, and recommends that UK and
EU laws should be re-examined to ensure that rigorous tests are
carried out if GM ingredients are one day considered for use in
infant formula.
The
working group considered the results of research made available
since 1998, as well as evidence submitted by food regulators,
biotechnology companies and non-governmental organisations. All oral
evidence has been posted on the Royal Society web site.
NOTES
FOR EDITORS
1.
The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural
and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles,
as the UK academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding
agency. It responds to individual demand with selection by merit, not
by field.
The
Society's objectives are to:
*recognise
excellence in science
*support
leading-edge scientific research and its applications
*stimulate
international interaction
*further
the role of science, engineering and technology in society
*promote
education in the sciences and actively engage the public in
scientific issues
*provide
independent authoritative advice on matters relating to science,
engineering and technology
*encourage
research into the history of science
For
further information, contact: Bob Ward, Press and Public Relations,
Royal
Society, London, Tel: 020 7451 2516
Genetically
modified plants for food use and human health - an update
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