GM In-Depth

Find below:   General Information ... Science Reference ... World View ... Human GE ... Related Innovations
       Government, UK ... Government, Scottish ... Government, European ... Pro-GM organisations
       News & Archives ... # Hints

General Information

GM crops: limitations, risks, alternatives; research   recommended for general readers
http://www.gmwatch.org/images/stories/gm-cropsgm-watch-version.pdf   [212K] (2009)
GeneWatch UK   extensive and authoritative resource base
http://www.genewatch.org
Herbicide tolerance & GM crops   report: glyphosate products can have adverse health impacts
http://www.gmfreeze.org/site_media/uploads/publications/Herbicide_tolerance_and_GM_crops_lo_res.pdf [2421K]
GM crops - the health effects   Important review of latest research, 2008 [169K]
http://www.soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=SqDvBO1pyEU%3d&tabid=390
The problem with nutritionally enhanced plants  Potential risks to human health (Schubert)
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/jmf.2008.0094 [84K]
Unintended changes in GM rice & maize  Research (2008, 2010) refutes 'substantial equivalence'
http://www.gmwatch.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12278
DNA from GM plants found in milk & animal tissue  Survey (2010) rebuts bio-industry claims
http://www.testbiotech.de/en/node/404
Dr.Árpád Pusztai   industry scientist sacked for voicing concerns (attacks on him documented)
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/a.pusztai/
GM Potato Controversy   Dr Pusztai's own account of his research and subsequent events
http://foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/L_aws_amp_P_olitics_42/032810282007_GM_Potato_Controversy_-_A_case_with_disturbing_implications_for_present_day_science.shtml
GM Food/Feed: gaps in research   Important 2003 lecture by Dr Pusztai, with overheads
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/leopold/news/pastevents/pusztai/pusztai.htm
Another view on Bt proteins  Research shows adverse effects on non-target insects [184K]
http://www.biosafety-info.net/file_dir/147154888365203d1e.pdf
Biosafety Information Centre  Important source on GE practice & developing world issues
http://www.biosafety-info.net
Bioscience Resource Project  US website with high quality scientific info & analysis
http://www.bioscienceresource.org
TWN Biotechnology & Biosafety   Series of important papers on problems of GM
http://www.twnside.org.sg/publications_bio.htm
Science as a smokescreen?  Critique of UK Farm Scale GM Crop Trials methodology (+ glossary), FoE
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/science_smokescreen.pdf  [793K]
GM Free Cymru Crucial Papers   significant research on health effects of GM food [scroll down]
http://www.gmfreecymru.org/pivotal.htm
Terminator & Traitor Technology  GM plants (under test) that render sterile seeds
http://www.etcgroup.org/en/taxonomy/term/20
EcoNexus   research organisation provides valuable scientific critiques of GE
http://www.econexus.info
Biotechnology reports   (Institute of Science In Society)
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/biotechnology.php
Synthetic Biology: creating artificial life-forms   several introductory papers
http://www.etcgroup.org/en/taxonomy/term/19
New weapons of GE   Introduction to artificial chromosomes & transformed organelles
http://www.grain.org/seedling/?id=576
Scientists for Global Responsibility   UK group promotes ethical science & technology
http://www.sgr.org.uk/resources/emerging-technologies
Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust  advice on potential dangers of prescription 'human' insulin (GE)
http://www.iddtinternational.org/gmvsanimalinsulin/index.htm

Science Reference  #

High School Crop Genetic Engineering  Nebraska University teaching tool
http://citnews.unl.edu/hscroptechnology/
On-line Biology Book  US textbook, by Michael J. Farabee, includes genetics
http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookTOC.html
Biosafety Assessment Tool  Useful aid, simplifies review of GMO safety data
https://bat.genok.org/bat/home.html

World View

The GMO Emperor has no clothes   detailed 2011 report on failed promises worldwide
http://www.navdanyainternational.it/index.php/component/content/article?id=137
Impossible coexistence: Transgenic & Organic Agriculture   maize problems: Spanish research
http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/studien/bericht-113314.html
GM Crops - a decade of failure   Friends of the Earth International report 23/2/04
http://www.foei.org/en/media/archive/2004/0219.html
Global status of GE crops 2006  report shows exaggerated claims & widespread rejection
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/publications/reports/global-status-of-genetically-e/
Who benefits from GM crops?  Essential yearly reports: business practices, agricultural outcomes
http://www.foei.org/en/resources/publications/pdfs/2011/who-benefits-from-gm-crops
GRAIN  International NGO promotes sustainable & equitable agriculture, studies biotech impacts
http://www.grain.org
Focus on Asia  Important review exposes how the GM crop industry targets developing countries
http://web.archive.org/web/20080209054322/http://www.gmwatch.org/asia.html
African Centre for Biosafety  based Johannesburg, includes info on biofuels, biopiracy etc
http://www.biosafetyafrica.org.za
GM crops in developing countries  Christian Aid's concerns
http://www.biosafety-info.net/article.php?aid=180
Bilateral free trade agreements  - seen by industry as important for spreading GM worldwide
http://www.bilaterals.org/spip.php?article4861
Guide to Trade, Environment & Sustainability   Friends of the Earth International
http://www.foei.org/en/resources/publications/climate-justice-and-energy/2000-2007/trade_activistguide.pdf/view
FAO Organic Agriculture Programme  UN Food & Agriculture Organisation: studies, links
http://www.fao.org/organicag/
Land of the GM-Free?  New US developments, Oct. 2008: labelling, crops, milk [986K]
http://www.soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=N0PEfS7855A%3d&tabid=390
L-tryptophan tragedy investigated   37 deaths & 1500 disabled by GE food supplement (USA)
http://www.seedsofdeception.com/utility/showArticle/?objectID=284    (see also 'Basics')
Center for Food Safety (USA)  involved in legal actions; published "Monsanto vs US farmers"
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/
Food Safety/Genetically Engineered Food  reports by Consumers Union (USA)
http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/f/foodgenetically_engineered/index.html
Union of Concerned Scientists (USA) several important reports
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/
US lawsuit  includes US regulator (FDA) documents 1991-3 revealing GM food risks
http://www.biointegrity.org/
MADGE  Mothers Are Demystifying Genetic Engineering (+ similar issues)(Australia)
http://www.madge.org.au
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network  campaign on main issues of GM concern
http://www.cban.ca
ETC  (formerly Rural Advancement Foundation Int)  (Canada)
http://www.etcgroup.org/

Human Genetic Engineering

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill was up for debate in the House of Commons in mid May 2008. Human Genetics Alert (below) has concerns over the creation of GM embryos and human/animal hybrid embryos, and their website has introductory information and links relevant to the Bill. The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) now seems likely to be axed in the October 2010 cutbacks.
Why clone humans?   Introduction, also compares embryonic with adult stem cell research
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/whyclone.php
Hybrids & Chimeras   Human/animal embryos regulatory decision-making
http://www.hfea.gov.uk/519.html
Human Genetics Alert   Independent watchdog, opposed to certain developments
http://www.hgalert.org
Human Genetics Commission   UK Government's advisors, in favour of human/animal embryos
http://www.hgc.gov.uk
Campaign against gene doping   Gene therapy methods abused in sport
http://www.foe.org/healthy-people/campaign-against-gene-doping

Related Innovations

Smart Breeding  'Marker assisted selection', non-invasive alternative to GE [2.8M]
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/smart-breeding.pdf
Future of Rice: sustainable solutions for production  covers 'marker assisted selection' [936K]
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/future-of-rice.pdf
Biofuelwatch   EU campaign, highlights environmental impacts of global biofuel market
http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk
Biofuels 2.0: Synthetic Biology   Major investments into GE fuels unregulated
http://www.foe.org/healthy-people/biofuels-synthetic-biology
What is Nanotechnology? uses & dangers   in foods & consumer products, poorly regulated
http://www.foeeurope.org/activities/nanotechnology/index.htm
The nanotech gamble   AOL news reports on emerging concerns in US
http://www.aolnews.com/category/nanotech/
Nanotoxicity in regulatory vacuum   ISIS analyses nanotech toxicity & recent deaths
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/nanotoxicityInRegulatoryVacuum.php
Nanotechnologies & Food   House of Lords report criticises industry research on dangers
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldsctech.htm
Nanotechnology   Recent articles from 'The Guardian'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/nanotechnology

Government, UK  #

{NEW}  Bioengineering  Government response (2011) to Science & Technology Committee report
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmsctech/1138/113804.htm
AEBC   Agriculture & Environment Biotechnology Commission (quasi-independent, ended 4/05)
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100419143351/http://www.aebc.gov.uk/
ACRE   Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (advises UK govt)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/acre/index.htm
ACRE report on Farm Scale Evaluations   UK trials of GM crops, Jan 2004  [120K]
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080727101330/http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/acre/advice/pdf/acre_advice44.pdf
DEFRA   Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (responsible for GM releases)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/gm/
Farm Scale Trials of GM crops   (DEFRA/Govt briefing)
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080306073937/http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/fse/
Results of Farm Scale Trials of GM crops Oct 2003   (Royal Society journal papers)
http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/358/1439.toc
Evaluating the Farm Scale Trials of GM crops  Environmental Audit Committee report March 2004 [272K]
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmenvaud/90/90.pdf
Evaluating the Farm Scale Trials of GM crops  Government response to Audit Committee report above [698K]
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmenvaud/564/564.pdf
House of Commons debate Farm Scale Trials of GM crops  3 hour debate 5/5/04
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmhansrd/vo040505/debtext/40505-26.htm#40505-26_head0
Food Standards Agency  (UK Government department)
http://www.food.gov.uk
Animal cloning for food production  Food Standards Agency report, UK govt & EC policies
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/board/fsa101204.pdf  [319K]
Dean Review of Food Standards Agency  notes criticism of Agency's bias pro-GM, anti-organics
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/deanreviewfinalreport.pdf  [573K]
Newcastle Human Feeding Trial  Risks associated with GMOs in human foods 2003
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/gmnewcastlereport.PDF  [543K]
GM crops: Costs & Benefits  Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report 11/7/03
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/strategy/work_areas/gm_crops.aspx
GM Nation?  UK Public Debate July 2003
follow link above for details & archive
GM Planting Regime  Good report to Parliament on coexistence of GM & non-GM crops 7/04
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmenvfru/607/607.pdf  [903K]
GM Planting Regime Government reply to above report, paves way for GM contamination 10/04
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmenvfru/1128/1128.pdf  [90K]
GM Science Review  GM Science Review Panel report to Govt 21/7/03
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081201235644/http://www.gmsciencedebate.org.uk/
Comments on GM Science Review  Important critique by Econexus and others 14/10/03
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081201235644/http://www.gmsciencedebate.org.uk/report/comment/default.htm
House of Commons debate GM Science Review  Contentious points discussed 11/11/03
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmhansrd/vo031111/halltext/31111h01.htm
Persistence of oilseed rape seeds  Research shows GM seeds survive up to 15 years 8/05
http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/272/1575/1909.full.pdf+html  [237K]
Government Information & Search  Particularly good for UK functions, includes Scottish links
http://www.direct.gov.uk
HANSARD   record of Westminster Parliamentary proceedings
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/
The UK Parliament  Parliament at Westminster
http://www.parliament.uk
UK Food Law   Reading University guide
http://www.rdg.ac.uk/foodlaw
Trading Standards Net   consumer protection advice and information
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

Government, Scottish  #

All aspects of GM - health, environment and agriculture - are 'devolved' issues.  In practice however the influences of Westminster and Whitehall (UK Civil Service) are still crucial.  A fair amount of discussion has now taken place in the Scottish Parliament, much of it at a fairly elementary level. There is a significant industry influence evident (e.g. in presentations to the Committees). Access to Official Reports and Minutes can be gained by the links below.

Two public petitions were submitted in late 1999 / early 2000: PE51 by Friends of the Earth and PE60 by the Scottish Green Party. Consequently, the Transport and the Environment Committee was involved from 29/3/00 until its final report in early 2001. The Rural Affairs Committee was also involved (4/7/00) as well as the Health and Community Care Committee. A debate took place in the Scottish Parliament on 23/3/00. Another petition PE470 was submitted by the Munlochy Vigil and dealt with initially by the Transport and the Environment Committee (12/3/02 to 15/5/02 ) and then by the Health and Community Care Committee (19/6/02) until its final report on 14/1/03 (subsequently dismissed by the Scottish Executive/Government). A second debate was held in the Parliament on 29/5/02, where voting was again strictly along party lines.

Mark Ruskell, Green Party MSP, prepared the groundwork for a GM Liability Bill in November 2003, but progress was halted in late 2005, due to restrictions on drafting resources.

In March 2004, Scottish Ministers approved Chardon GM maize for planting but asked farmers not to grow it. The subsequent debates (on 18th March and on 25th March) in the Parliament rubber stamped that decision despite opposition by the Greens. (The Chardon application was later withdrawn by the manufacturer Bayer.)

In July 2007 the new Scottish Government (Scottish National Party) confirmed that it would maintain a moratorium on the planting of GM crops in Scotland - "This respects the consumers who demand locally-produced conventional and organic food."

A debate in the Parliament on 1st April 2009 supported conventional plant breeding while setting out extensive arguments against GM crops.

Environmental Liability Regulations were approved in June 2009, encompassing GM pollution of the environment. But there is no sign as yet (Oct 2011) of the mooted public consultation on the 'coexistence' of GM and conventional crops. (See 'Hot Topics: Coexistence')
Scottish Parliament - homepage
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk
Scottish Government GM page  The Scottish Govt.(formerly 'Executive') controls 'devolved' issues
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/Environment/15159
Scotland's Legislation   contents list (HMSO/OPSI)
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/about.htm

Government, European  #

GM food and animal feed regulations generated on behalf of the European Union are of crucial importance since these translate more or less directly into UK law.  But while the UK Government argues that its powers to control GM are limited by European law, in fact its representatives in Brussels generally vote in favour of the industry.  Some of the more important regulations at present are listed below.  The official memos following provide a background and GeneWatch have also prepared additional guidance.
Regulation of GMOs in the EU  Questions and Answers Mar. 2007 (MEMO/07/117)
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/117&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
European Commission - Biotechnology  important site, unfriendly (use Javascript)
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/gmo/index_en.htm
Too close for comfort   FoE analysis of biotech lobby's influence on the Commission 10/07
http://www.foeeurope.org/corporates/pdf/too-close-for-comfort.pdf  [610K]
Risk reloaded   useful analysis of flawed EU risk assessment of GM plants 10/09
http://www.testbiotech.org/en/node/256
EFSA guidance on risk assessment of GM plants  useful critique by Testbiotech 12/10 [149K]
http://www.testbiotech.de/sites/default/files/Testbiotech_comment_on_EFSA_%20Guidance_ERA.pdf
Critique of European Food Safety Authority   exposes regulatory bias favouring GM 11/04
http://www.foeeurope.org/GMOs/publications/EFSAreport.pdf  [118K]
Submission by European Commission to WTO   reveals safety concerns (leaked to FOE 2/05)
http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2005/february/tradoc_121552.pdf  [337K]
Hidden uncertainties  EC papers to WTO reveal questionable safety of GM food & crops 4/06
http://www.foeeurope.org/publications/2006/hidden_uncertainties.pdf  [147K]
Community register of GM food & feed  with useful authorisation details
http://ec.europa.eu/food/dyna/gm_register/index_en.cfm
Coexistence of GM crops with conventional & organic  European Commission's view
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/coexistence/index_en.htm
GMO-Compass   Pro-GM website, with useful database on European releases
http://www.gmo-compass.org
Europa search tool  European Parliament search engine, powerful if used carefully
http://europa.eu/rapid/searchAction.do
European Parliament UK Office  'local perspective', generally helpful
http://www.europarl.org.uk
Europa - European Parliament  A vast amount of information - use the Site Map (below)
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/parliament/public.do?language=en
European Parliament Site Map  Useful information index (c.f. Searches are tricky)
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/tools/map/default_en.htm

Pro-GM organisations (a selection)  #

The Royal Society  the UK National Academy of Science
http://royalsociety.org
National Centre for Biotechnology Education  University of Reading services to schools
http://www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk/NCBE/GMFOOD/menu.html
ABC - Agricultural Biotechnology Council 
http://www.abcinformation.org/
GM Watch Portal  exposes people & groups that push GM technology. Recommended.
http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/GM_Watch:_Portal

News & Archives  #

GM World News cuttings archive, research  Impressive archive 1998-2005
http://www.gmfoodnews.com
GM-Free Ireland  News archive October 2003 - March 2010
http://www.gmfreeireland.org/news/index.php
Indymedia (Scotland)  - independent news agency
http://www.indymediascotland.org
Guardian/Observer news archive  searching is free of charge
http://archive.guardian.co.uk
Rob Edwards  - Environment Editor, Sunday Herald
http://www.robedwards.com/gm/index.html
New Scientist  - popular UK science weekly
http://www.newscientist.com/
UK National Archives   part of the European Web Archive
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk
European Web Archive   documents of selected European institutions
http://collections.europarchive.org
Internet Archive Wayback Machine   global archive - US daytime load may be heavy
http://web.archive.org

# Hints

Some information sources are distinctly selective in their presentation, or omission, of factual information - many GM-concern groups now regard the UK government, the European Commission and other organisations such as the Royal Society as "pro-GM". Also, mainstream and 'science' media often repackage industry statements without much critical analysis. Therefore when evaluating any particular report, it makes sense to consider whether the picture presented might in fact be skewed in favour of business interests, as distinct from offering "just the plain facts". Likewise, it is important to differentiate between opinion and speculation on the one hand, and published research, or the lack of it.   Back to: Science Reference  Govt UK  Govt Scottish  Govt European  Pro-GM organisations  News & Archives

When searching on the Internet, take care to use appropriate search terms - some engines handle plurals badly (e.g. "GMO" may not find "GMOs"). Some websites provide their own 'search' facility, but this may prove ineffectual - for example, the europa (parliament) website allows a keyword search on "OGM" (French) but not "GMO". However, any website can be searched by means of the well-known Google internet search engine, as follows. Into Google's search window type your query text, then a space, then site:  then the website address (URL), e.g.
       "coexistence"  site:www.scotland.gov.uk
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