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New Study Reveals Thousands of Field Tests of
Genetically Engineered Crops Across U.S. 375 Tests Conducted in Maine Experiments a Threat to Public Health, the
Environment, and Farmers PORTLAND- More
than 47,000 field tests of genetically engineered crops were authorized by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture between 1987 and 2004 despite serious
environmental threats and inadequate regulations in place to monitor their
impacts, according to a new report released today by Environment Maine
Research & Policy Center and Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners
Association (MOFGA). Three hundred seventy-five of these tests were conducted
in Maine, mostly for genetically engineered potatoes. Both the
National Academy of Sciences and the General Accounting Office have
criticized the USDA for inadequate oversight and expertise in authorizing the
release of genetically engineered crops. Nevertheless,
this new study reveals substantial increases in 2003 and 2004 of testing of
crops engineered to produce pharmaceutical and industrial chemicals, as well
as of many new crops never before released. The report, Raising Risk:
Field Testing of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S., highlights potential risks associated with the
release of genetically engineered plants. The results of large scale field
trials conducted over many years were just published in the March 2005
Proceedings of the Royal Society demonstrating adverse effects on wildlife,
but experiments conducted in the United States continue to be piecemeal and
short term. Scientists have criticized research in this country as
deliberately designed to hide any harm. Coincidentally,
this report is released on the heels of three Maine towns, Kennebunk, Brooklin and Kennebunkport considering opposition to
genetically engineered organisms. Kennebunk selectmen rejected a petition
from citizens to place a ban on genetically engineered organisms, Brooklin citizens voted in favor of a non-enforceable
measure to declare their town a GE Free Zone, and Kennebunkport is
considering a measure identical to Brooklin. “Our environment
is being used as a laboratory for widespread experimentation on genetically
engineered organisms with profound risks that, once released, can never be
recalled,” said Environment Maine Advocate Matthew Davis. “Bt corn plants
have been found to be toxic to monarch butterflies and other non-target
species. Until proper safeguards are in place, this unchecked experiment
should stop.” Findings of the
new Environment Maine Research & Policy Center report include:
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Nearly
70% of all field tests conducted in the last year now contain secret genes
classified as “Confidential Business Information,” which means that the
public has no access to information about experiments being conducted in
their communities.
These experimental genetically engineered
crops are grown in the open environment to test the outcome and environmental
impact of certain gene combinations. The groups charged that field testing
genetically engineered crops in such a widespread way poses serious threats
to the environment and neighboring farmers. “For over a
decade, MOFGA has called for the preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act prior to any field
testing or field release of GE plants or other organisms. We're still waiting,” said Sharon Tisher, Chair of the MOFGA Public Policy Committee. “Not
only the distinguished National Academy of Sciences, but
also the staff of the U.S. Department of the Interior, have raised
serious questions about the risk of GE crops and animals becoming harmful
invasive species. Also, GE crops that present a risk of genetic contamination
of organic crops are a direct economic threat to certified organic farms.” A major goal of the field
tests is to obtain information about potential ecological risks associated
with genetically engineered organisms. However, independent reviews of the
data collected by the USDA demonstrate that very little information has been
gathered. As a result, despite the large number of field experiments that
have occurred, fundamental questions about their impact remain unanswered,
including long-term impacts on the soil and non-target species. “The evidence continues to
mount that the U.S. regulatory system is based on the principle of ‘don’t
look, don’t find,’” said Davis. “Conducting field tests that are poorly
designed is taking large risks without any benefits.” Environment Maine Research
& Policy Center and MOFGA called for a federal moratorium on genetically
engineered foods unless: * Independent testing
demonstrates safety, * Labeling for any products
commercialized honors consumers’ right to know, and * The biotechnology
corporations are held accountable for any harm resulting from the products. |