Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Task Force on the Safety of Novel Foods and Feed (1998-present),
FAO/WHO Expert Consultations (1991-2003), and the CODEX Task
Force on Foods derived from Biotechnology (1999-2005).
Among others, it depends on whether the reader can actually follow
the steps that a risk assessor, scientific committee, or panel makes. Obvi-
ously, this solves the paradox between substantive and procedural trans-
parency: objectification of lay perspectives and objectification of decision
making.
40
For the assessment the reader (layman) should be able to think
along with the rationalists (scientific expert).
Presumed Health Risks
Although there is no conclusive scientific evidence linking GM foods
to adverse health effects, risks to health remain a top public concern.
Anti-GMO NGOs and pressure groups always emphasize health risks
in their campaigns, and repeatedly call for more research to uncover
alleged health risks.
41,42,43
In essence, they argue that risk research leaves
open many gaps and they see protocols as for ninety-day testing and
the substantial equivalence strategy as misleading arguments to avoid
further testing. Thus, even though EFSA publishes its centralized risk
assessments, reasoning, and opinions online, the NGOs stimulate pub-
lic anxiety by continuing to claim that health risks (such as antibiotic
resistance and allergies) are currently unacceptable and require more
assessment.
44,45
Indeed, the latest results of the 2006 Eurobarometer
40
Bal, R., Bijker, W. E., Hendriks, R. (2004) Democratisation of scientific advice.
BMJ
,
329, 1339-1341.
41
Seraline, G.-E., Cellier, D., Spiroux de Vendomois, J. (2007) New analysis of a rat
feeding study with a genetically modified maize reveals signs of hepatorenal toxicity,
Arch. Environ. Toxicol.
DOI: 10.1007/s00244-006-0149-5.
42
www.goedewaar.nl http://www.goedewaar.nl/aansprakelijkheidsrapport.doc
(in Dutch).
43
Ibid.
44
http://www.civilcoalition.nl/index.php/article/articleview/68/1/4/ WTO Conflict: slecht
voor milieu, gezondheid en ontwikkelingslanden.
45
Milieudefensie.nl: http://www.milieudefensie.nl/landbouw/publicaties/infobladen/
infoblad9.htm/ Genetic Manipulation Information file agriculture and food
(in Dutch).
