Journal or Publishing Institution: Food and Chemical Toxicology
Study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691514000064
Author(s): Dunklee, D.D.
Article Type: Journal Publication
Record ID: 577
To the editor: My name is Don Dunklee. I live in Michigan, USA. My area suffers from many agricultural problems related to GMO plantings including environmental contamination of water and land. Personally, I have had to destroy organic crops that were contaminated with GMO crops in past growing seasons. (Disclaimer … I farm organically in an area surrounded by GM farms. My beliefs are against GMOs, but not necessarily for the reasons of many. Some of my bias is based on science, some on personal beliefs that we don’t have the tools or educational expertise to safely manipulate organic living organisms in a manner not intended by the original manufacturer of these organisms. My bias is also related to the fact the tight control large corporations keep on their GMO products is not for the benefit of society, but for the gain of the corporation. If their products were being created to help mankind, then they would not worry about the financial issues they control so tightly and would freely and openly share their products with society.)
I want to challenge your publication to become the venue to offer some clarity in the GM debate. If your publication has any scientific merit, this should be viewed as a good idea.
I challenge you to be the facilitator of an unbiased study of the safety and security of growing and planting GMO crops in the open environment and compare them honestly and openly with non GMO crops for yield, safety, environmental impact, and any other aspects challenged by many. I challenge you to facilitate such as study with a board of people from both sides of the fence. I challenge you to facilitate this in a scientifically unbiased manner that both sides can agree to. I challenge you to openly and publicly publish every aspect of the testing and debate from beginning to end so transparency gives this study merit.
The funding for such a study should be arranged through grants and donations from groups and individuals interested in helping our world be a better place and with no link to any of the players on either side of the fence, including many governments. The reason governments should not be part of the funding, unless through the United Nations, is the question that the U.S. government is promoting GMO crops under the implied belief that they may be safe from chemical contamination during war time with products like Agent Orange.
I would suggest a mix of people like Claire Robinson from GM watch, Monsanto and Syngenta board members, as well as other individuals from around the world from both sides of the fence. Included should be some of the world’s religious leaders to keep everyone honest.
If your publication can facilitate this honestly and openly, then your publication might be able to be viewed as credible. You may be able to put your decision to discredit previously published works behind you.
Honesty is always the best policy in any environment. Anything less and you might better consider closing up shop.
Citation: Dunklee, D.D. (2014) Letter to the Editor. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 65 (March), pp. 393.
