A peer reviewed report released June 17th presents evidence that bioengineered food and organisms present hazards to health and the environment. One of the report authors is herself a genetic engineer who thinks the claims of manufacturers about safety are dangerously inaccurate. Research has shown genetically modified crops cause harmful effects on laboratory animals without trade-offs for increased yields or less dependence on pesticides.
Outside the laboratory, cattle feeding on genetically modified grass on a farm near Austin, Texas died as a result of the ingestion of a GM grass which unexpectedly produced cyanide. Cyanide gas was used as a weapon in WWI. The unfortunate cows eating the Monsanto franken-grass, Tifton 85, died in convulsive, shrieking fits. Another company genetically modifying corn, Syngenta, is now facing criminal charges for willfully concealing data that proves its Bt 176 franken-corn is directly responsible for killing livestock. A German dairy farmer filed suit against Syngenta after his cows became increasingly sick on a diet of Bt 176 corn resulting in deaths of some his cows. He discontinued the feeding program in 2002 after seven cows died, but most of his herd suffered intestinal damage resulting in euthanasia. He was partially compensated for the loss of his herd by Syngenta, but it was not enough and the German and EU governments refused to help. He was without a remedy until he discovered Syngenta's 1996 study showing Bt 176 killed cattle. Syngenta had been lying for years about the toxicity of its franken-corn, sometimes under oath. A 2007 civil suit was dismissed after the company testified its franken-corn was safe. Apparently the company also tried to coverup the damaging data by conducting a phony study on sheep in Italy. The data was manipulated using sample sizes of GM material too small to be realistic.
Over 75% of genetically modified crops are intended to be used with herbicide. The result has been the spread of "super weeds" that are herbicide resistant at huge cost to farmers and increased human exposure to herbicides linked to birth defects and cancer (Monsanto's "Roundup" brand). The fact is genetic engineering is not precise enough to be either predictable or safe as the case of the cyanide producing grass shows. Yet, the FDA does not yet require mandatory safety testing of GM crops, nor do foodstuff containing GM substances have to be labeled for the consumer*. All the benefits touted for genetically modified crops such as drought tolerance, pest and disease resistance, and improved nutritional value have been achieved with safe conventional modes of breeding that do not pose a threat to the environment or human health.
*an amendment to the farm bill allowing states to require such labeling was introduced by Vermont progressive Senator Bernie Sanders and defeated by the agribusiness lobby.