No health threat from genetically modified crops

Genetically modified crops do not pose a threat to human health and do not harm the environment

Genetically modified crops do not pose a threat to human health and do not harm the environment, a study has found

The findings were the result of a comprehensive analysis from the influential National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

An advisory group of 20 scientists examined around 900 publications on the impact of biotech crops on human health and the environment since their commercial introduction in the 1990s.

The near 400-page report said there was no evidence to suggest modified crops caused any increase in cancer, obesity, gastrointestinal illnesses, kidney disease, autism or allergies.

It also said there was no justification for calls for mandatory labelling of foods containing genetically modified food content in the interest of protecting public health.

On the downside, the analysis also reported that, despite industry claims, genetic technology had done little to increase crop yields.

Despite the findings, the report authors said strident opposition to genetically engineered foods was likely to continue, fuelled by concerns over possible adverse effects and ethical considerations.

“At the same time, others are concerned that the technology is not reaching its potential to improve human health and the environment because of stringent regulations and reduced public funding to develop products offering more benefits to society,” the report, Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects, said.

“While the debate about these and other questions related to the genetic engineering techniques of the first 20 years goes on, emerging genetic-engineering technologies are adding new complexities to the conversation.”