Search Results for: Food safety

To the editor: The editorial by Derek Burke, former chair of the government’s Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACRE), certainly had a reassuring tone about it, but it also suffered from a fairly major dose of complacency.1 It would be surprising if a man who had for nine years chaired the committee that …

Abstract: In recent decades, changes in agriculture and biotechnology innovations have changed the landscape of food on the planet. From the fifties the green revolution has had a dramatic impact on a global level and today issues such as sustainable development are part of the global political agenda. Genetically Modified Organisms have revolutionized the agribusiness …

Keywords: Food Safety, Conflicts of Interest, Transgenic Plants, Genetically Modified Foods, Risk Analysis, Food Law, Toxicology, Corn, Industrial Chemistry, European Parliament Citation: Robinson, C., Holland, N., Leloup, D. and Muilerman, H., 2013. Conflicts of interest at the European Food Safety Authority erode public confidence. Journal of Epidemiol Community Health, pp.jech-2012.

Abstract: In 1999, there has been much concern on the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods, an important and complex area of safety research, which demands rigorous standards. Various groups, including consumers and environmental Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) have suggested that all GM foods should be subjected to long-term animal feeding studies before approval for …

To the editor: A more rigorous analysis of the debate over GM versus non-GM crops is now needed. A fundamental flaw in most arguments (for example, the debate on substantial equivalence) is the erroneous treatment of all genetically modified (GM) plants as one homogeneous group. This distorts arguments and weakens reasoning. It is time to …

Text: As a cell biologist, I am very discouraged by the nature of the ongoing “debate” on the introduction of genetically modified (GM) plants into the marketplace. This discussion has usually pitted irrational emotional arguments against the apparently rational notion that genetic engineering is just like traditional plant breeding, only more specific. In particular, I …

Text: Since they were first commercially grown in the mid-1990s, genetically engineered (GE) crops have expanded across the globe, offering farmers the advantages of genetically enhanced resistance to drought, herbicides, and insects. According to the International Service for the Acquisition of AgriBiotech Applications (ISAAA), a crop biotechnology advocacy organization, farmers in 29 countries grew nearly …

Abstract: Introduction. The prolonged and uncontrolled use of genetically modified foods represents the adverse potential effects and threats to human health. Discussion. Discovered the toxic and allergenic influence of number of transgenic proteins on the human organism. The inhibitors of alpha amylases are strong allergens which form complexes with the ferments of the salivary glands …

Abstract: The risk assessment of genetically modified (GM) crops for human nutrition and health has not been systematic. Evaluations for each GM crop or trait have been conducted using different feeding periods, animal models, and parameters. The most common result is that GM and conventional sources induce similar nutritional performance and growth in animals. However, …

Abstract: The 90-day animal study is the core study for the safety assessment of genetically modified foods in the SAFOTEST project. The model compound tested in the 90-day study was a rice variety expressing the kidney bean Phaseolus vulgaris lectin agglutinin E-form (PHA-E lectin). Female Wistar rats were given a nutritionally balanced purified diet with …

Abstract: Since the production of genetically modified food has become a reality, more and more attention is being paid to assess the safety and potential risks associated with the introduction of GMOs. Particular attention is paid to the assessment of the direct impact of genetically modified food outlet on human health. The objective of this …

Abstract: Genetically modified crops, feed and foods are known from less than two decades. These products were introduced to the market based on the principle of substantial equivalence of traditional and transgenic varieties, without necessary risk assessment concerning its impact on environment and on health of humans and animals. Other potential risks are concerned with …

Text: Millstone et al. reply – Our Commentary1 on the use of the concept of substantial equivalence in evaluating the safety of GM foods has triggered a lively debate, but several correspondents have criticized us for things that we did not say, and in our view none of them has addressed our central argument that …

Abstract: We describe the US regulatory system for GE foods, and with specific examples, point out serious deficiencies in both regulatory oversight and corporate testing procedures. It is clear that the US regulatory process must be made mandatory, as well as more stringent and transparent. Any legal obstacles standing in the way of a thorough, …

Abstract: Our regulators are ignoring the precautionary principle, manipulating and corrupting science, sidestepping the law, and helping to promote genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the face of massive public opposition and damning evidence piling up against the safety of genetically modified (GM) food and feed. Keywords: precautionary principle, potential dangers, potential hazards, food safety, immunogenicity, …

Abstract: Often the limits of detection of genetically engineered organisms (GEOs, LMOs, GMOs) determine what legislation sets as thresholds of allowable contamination of the human food chain with GEOs. Many countries have legislation that is triggered by certain thresholds of contamination. Importantly, international trade in food and animal feed is becoming increasingly vulnerable to interruptions …

Abstract: The GMO panel of EFSA published a statement on June 8, 2005, regarding the temporary moratorium ordered by the Hungarian Minister of Agriculture on Jan 20, 2005, on maize variety based of MON 810 genetic event, and regarding the corresponding environmental analytical and ecotoxicological survey performed. In its statement the GMO panel debated whether …

Abstract: Genetically Modified crops were first grown commercially in 1996. This paper explores what genetic modification is, what crops are GM and which traits these crops have. It also shows how GM crops are tested, regulated and monitored in the US and Australia. It details some of the scientific controversy about GM. It clarifies how …

Abstract: The question of nutritional quality has arisen in the International Community over the last few years along with other important issues such as population aging, multipopulation societies, and political conflicts. The nutritional issue is questioned both quantitatively and qualitatively. It is well known that the planet faces enormous problems with food that is available. …

Text: To the Editor – In August, more than 30 scientists and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) called on the editors of Nature journals to establish more robust policies for disclosing potentially biasing conflicts of interests among authors of scientific articles and quoted experts (http://www.cspinet.org/new/200308211.html). One of the cases cited as …