Mr Linke ( Letter "Merchants of doom have been silenced" ) is way off course with his pro-industry advocacy.
GM foods, describe those edible organisms where foreign genetic material has been randomly inserted into its DNA.
Through intense political lobbying by large multi-nationals, and overriding warnings given by US Food and Drug Administration experts, GM crops were exempted from being subject to independent or rigorous assessment.
We cannot know if GM crops are safe, as they have never been tested in humans, and very short term, mostly industry run studies in animals. GM companies do not make their products available for independent use.
Mr Linke claims GM increases yields. Also false. A review by Union of Concerned Scientists in USA, confirmed the opposite.
These crops perpetuate the myth that monoculture of any kind can be sustainable. They will not solve problems in the underdeveloped world where seed costs are prohibitive. And we stand to lose overseas markets that discriminate against unpopular GM products.
As with so many current issues, our corporate driven haste to reap short term financial rewards, risks far greater long term health, social and environmental costs.
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