This is the headline in the August edition of Scientific American magazine. The editors question the control exerted by biotech companies over research into GM. The most startling statement is that is impossible to verify the claims of the agrotechs:
Unfortunately, it is impossible to verify that genetically modified crops perform as advertised. That is because agritech companies have given themselves veto power over the work of independent researchers.
The article goes on to say that independent research on GM seeds is prohibited by the biotech companies with threats of litigation:
Under the threat of litigation, scientists cannot test a seed to explore the different conditions under which it thrives or fails. They cannot compare seeds from one company against those from another company. And perhaps most important, they cannot examine whether the genetically modified crops lead to unintended environmental side effects.
The only research findings that are ever published come from the people selling the seeds! And governments take this in and shape policy based on what amounts to over dressed advertising hype. How did we ever get into such a situation?
At least we now have the truth. Until there is real independent research, GM products should be banned and no planting of GM crops allowed. That will be the safest and right thing to do.
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