Agricultural News
National Academy of Sciences Releases Study Showing Foods from GE-Crops Just as Safe as Foods From Non- GE Crops
Tue, 17 May 2016 16:33:16 CDT
There's no evidence to suggest that foods from genetically engineered (GE) crops are less safe than foods from non-GE crops, according to a new National Academies of Sciences report.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released its report, Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects, at an in-person presentation today in Washington, D.C., that was also broadcast via webinar. The National Academy also established a website on this subject- and by clicking here you can go to the website and see today's webinar.
Brian Baenig, Executive Vice President, Food and Agriculture for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), issued the following statement in response:
"BIO commends the NAS panel for maintaining a transparent and objective approach throughout the course of the study and for its commitment to a science-based process.
Through a series of open meetings and webinars, which generated input from both opponents and proponents of the technology, the Committee upheld its promise to embrace open engagement.
"After carefully examining the benefits and potential risks of GE crops and food in the commercial marketplace for the past two decades, we are pleased that the study reiterates what the world's scientific authorities have repeatedly concluded over the years: that agricultural biotechnology has many demonstrated benefits to farmers, consumers, and the environment.
"Science, technology, and modern farming techniques (including GE crops) must be one of the tools in the fight against world hunger and malnutrition amid the challenges of climate change. Innovations in agricultural technology are now and will continue to be absolutely essential to increasing production and efficiency for farmers, while producing food in a more environmentally sustainable way."
After the release of the report, the American Soybean Association also expressed their appreciation to the National Academy of Sciences for releasing the report. ASA President Richard Wilkins, a farmer from Greenwood, Del., issued the following statement in response to the NAS report:
"Today, the National Academy of Sciences reaffirmed what health and safety officials have confirmed for two decades: GMOs are safe. The scientists at the Academy also confirmed what we as farmers also have known for 20 years that GMOs provide significant benefits for producers. They help us manage pests, weeds and reduce on-farm inputs, and they do it with absolutely zero risk to people or animals. This is an exceptionally in-depth report, and we hope that it will move the dialogue on GMOs to the next chapter.
"The other side of the GMO debate continues to attempt to engage our industry on the safety of and science behind genetic engineering. Yet, as we've seen today, NAS and the world's most respected health and scientific organizations have unequivocally settled that question.
"The report also points to the significant advances we are seeing in the science of plant breeding techniques. Farmers can only benefit from these technologies if we continue to have access to them. The NAS report is a very positive step, and we hope that those in charge of approving these new breeding techniques and getting them in the hands of farmers as soon as possible will take note."
Source- BIO and the American Soybean Association
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