A group of 93 scientists from all over the world deplore the disinformation over the safety of GMOs and expose the lack of empirical and scientific evidence on which the false claims of “consensus” on safety are being made
The full statement is reproduced below
As
scientists, physicians, academics, and experts from disciplines relevant to the
scientific, legal, social and safety assessment aspects of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) [1], we strongly reject claims by GM seed developers and some
scientists, commentators, and journalists that there is a “scientific consensus”
on GMO safety[2] [3] [4] and that the debate on this topic is “over”[5].
We
feel compelled to issue this statement because the claimed consensus on GMO
safety does not exist. The claim that it does exist is misleading and
misrepresents the currently available scientific evidence and the broad
diversity of opinion among scientists on this issue. Moreover, the claim
encourages a climate of complacency that could lead to a lack of regulatory and
scientific rigour and appropriate caution, potentially endangering the health of
humans, animals, and the environment.
Science
and society do not proceed on the basis of a constructed consensus, as current
knowledge is always open to well-founded challenge and disagreement. We endorse
the need for further independent scientific inquiry and informed public
discussion on GM product safety and urge GM proponents to do the same.
Some
of our objections to the claim of scientific consensus are listed below.
