Will Allen responds to James’ Greiff in the Valley News

There is no scientific consensus on the safety of GMO’s as was confirmed in this 2013 report: No scientific consensus on GMO safety, published by the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) in October, 2013.

Cedar Circle Farm’s Co-Manager Will Allen wrote this corrective response to James Greiff’s editorial piece published in the paper on Monday, Dec. 16: ‘Science Still Indicates that GM Food is Safe’. Will’s response was published as a letter to the editor on December 21.

Letter to the Editor. December 21, 2013:

Response to: “Science Still Indicates that GM Food is Safe”

James Greiff, argues that science has shown GMO foods to be safe. He does not cite any independent or government science that shows that, because he can’t!

The only “scientific” analysis done on GMOs in this country has been done by Monsanto, DuPont, Syngenta, Bayer, BASF, and DOW. None of these chemical/seed/GMO corporations will allow independent testing of their patented GMO products in the U.S. All of the health and safety data submitted to the FDA to obtain approval of their products was done by GMO corporations.

We would, of course, expect the genetic engineers to claim their products were safe. Remember that for years the tobacco corporations claimed their products were safe and belittled any tests that claimed they were not.

The FDA, the USDA, and the EPA have done no health and safety testing, in spite of growing evidence of harm. Dr. Seralini, the scientist attacked by James Greiff, is not the only critic of GMO food. Dozens of European and Asian studies have shown serious problems with GMO foods and feed. Several studies have shown liver and kidney abnormalities and a thickening of the intestinal wall. Other studies concluded that animals fed GMO feed became obese. Hog feeding studies have shown intestinal abnormalities. One study illustrated that GMO corn stalks were so tough that they punctured tractor tires. As a result of such mounting evidence, scientists world-wide are skeptical about the safety of GMOs, including the Consumers Union.

Currently, GMO products are not labeled in the U.S. Without labeling, how are we to decide which products are responsible for kidney and liver abnormalities, intestinal distress, weight gain, and a host of other health problems that researchers have uncovered in European and Asian studies of GMO products?

Sixty-four other countries require the labeling of GMO foods. But it’s not because Dr. Seralini did bad science, as Mr. Greiff implies. These countries require labeling because they are concerned about health risks, and they want to protect their constituents who overwhelmingly fear genetically engineered foods.

Don’t we deserve the same protections as China, Russia, South Africa, and 61 other countries?

Dr. Will Allen

Co-Manager, Cedar Circle Farm, East Thetford, Vermont