Defensive maize. MON810 produces a toxin that protects it from the European corn borer.
Credit: Keith Weller/U.S. Department of Agriculture
Posted on 05/23/2012 1:49:50 AM PDT by neverdem
France's latest attempt to keep genetically modified (GM) crops from its fields has been rebuked by a scientific panel at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Yesterday, EFSA issued an opinion dismissing France's argument that a GM maize variety produced by Monsanto might be harmful to the environment or human health.
The opinion is the latest blow in a long-running battle over MON810, also known as YieldGard, whose cultivation has been banned in a handful of European countries despite its approval by the European Commission in 1998. The French government, faced with strong public opposition to GM crops, banned Mon810 in 2008 under a so-called "safeguard clause" that gives countries some leeway to duck European rules. EFSA rejected the measure later that year, and in 2011, France's Council of State also ruled that the prohibition was out of line.
In February, France again asked the European Commission for permission to ban MON810, armed with a new scientific dossier. In it, the French government argues, among other things, that Cry1Ab, a protein produced by MON810 to ward off maize stalk borers, could hurt non-target species such as bees and butterflies, and that it could linger in the soil. But in yesterday's report, EFSA's Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms said the file contains some of the same evidence France presented—and EFSA rejected—in 2008; in the remainder, the panel "could not identify any new science-based evidence indicating that maize MON 810 cultivation in the EU poses a significant and imminent risk to the human and animal health or the environment."
Given recent history, EFSA's decision is "not really a surprise," AFP quoted a spokesperson for European health Commissioner John Dalli as saying. The commission is considering its next move, but "technically, we could now demand that France lift its ban," the spokesperson said.
Apparently, plants containing Cry1Ab expression plasmids are approved for use in the US, as well. Link. As far as I can tell, the protein expressed in the plant would only be toxic to insects feeding on the plant. Since corn is a self-pollinator, I don't expect bees to fall into that category. Predatory insects could be at risk if they feed on the corn borers.
Study: 1 in 4 kids diabetic or pre-diabetic
Source found for missing water in sea-level rise
Bovine TB disguised by liver fluke
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
TERMINAL GENOCIDAL GLOBALIST DEMONIZED IDIOTS
I am worried about words. Liberals abuse words so badly and change their meaning to fit the need. The latest phrase that has me worried is “science-based”.
Given that so few Americans understand math and thus cannot understand science what will that phrase mean in the next few years?
Only a complete fool wouldn’t object to GM crops being presented as food. GM crops are Frankenfood.
Our bodies have no means of utilizing such twisted poisons. Including the modified nucleic acid in our own cells can only be destructive.
Science has become the most abused and twisted word in the human lexicon.
>> “As far as I can tell, the protein expressed in the plant would only be toxic to insects feeding on the plant.” <<
.
A completely unjustified presumption, picked out of the wind.
Plant material laying on the soil, consumed by bacteria, spread the abnormal nucleic acid throughout the biosphere with completely unpredictable consequences. The end of all life seems to be within possibility, if not probability.
The sorcerer’s apprentice has assumed control of agriculture.
. A completely unjustified presumption, picked out of the wind.
Plant material laying on the soil, consumed by bacteria, spread the abnormal nucleic acid throughout the biosphere with completely unpredictable consequences. The end of all life seems to be within possibility, if not probability.
The sorcerer’s apprentice has assumed control of agriculture.
That's highly unlikely. The bacteria that makes the protein spontaneously grows on plants--it is already out in the environment. The *only* thing that has been done here is to put the bacterial gene into plants. Humans and insects have already been consuming the bacterial protein and DNA for eons.
E. Coli is now making human insulin. Who's complaining? There's a reason insulin must be injected. It doesn't work by mouth.
Our bodies have no means of utilizing such twisted poisons. Including the modified nucleic acid in our own cells can only be destructive.
What modified nucleic acid and how does it get into our DNA and RNA from our gut when 5-flourouracil, a common chemotherapy agent for some cancers, is administered intravenously?
All of the nucleotides to build our cells came from our gut.
5-flourouracil is an unnatural substance that our digestion will correctly dispose of by dumping if it isn’t injected.
It’s a pity that its allowed to be used at all. Cancers are easy to cure by natural means, and impossible to cure by any other. Five years after conventional treatment, 75% of patients are headed to their coffin at light speed.
.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.