testbiotech

October 2009

Agricultural genetic engineering is the genetic manipulation of plant (and somewhat less often animal) organisms. It involves transferring gene components in order to encourage desired effects which the genes would produce in their original environment (for example, genes which produce an insecticide from bacillus thuringiensis should control insect pests).
Gene transfer is not specifically targeted and usually there are inadvertent changes in the genetic makeup of the plants. Moreover gene activity has to be artificially “forced” because the plants themselves resist attempts to change their genetic makeup and would shut down the new gene components.

Reports & News

Gesundheitsrisiko durch gentechnisch veränderten Mais

Verdacht auf Schädigung von Leber und Nieren
Nach einer Veröffentlichung französischer Wissenschaftler zeigen Ratten, die drei Monate mit gentechnisch verändertem Mais gefüttert werden, Anzeichen einer Vergiftung von Leber und Nieren.
Es ist die erste Studie, bei der drei verschiedene gentechnisch veränderte Pflanzen (NK603, MON863, MON810) miteinander verglichen wurden. Die Wissenschaftler werteten dabei Daten aus Tierversuchen der Firma Monsanto aus. (De Vendômois J.S., Roullier, F., Cellier1 D., Séralini1 G.E., 2009, A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health , Int. J. Biol. Sci. http://www.biolsci.org/v05p0706)

risk reloaded - risk analysis of genetically engineered plants within the European Union

Then, Christoph & Potthof, Christof

October 2009

This is a report on the risk assessment procedure for genetically engineered plants in the EU. It reveals substantial flaws and loopholes in the procedure and practice of the institutions concerned. Many of the flaws have their origin in the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) own main concept of risk assessment. This is essentially based upon guidelines that were developed by the OECD as early as 1993 on the assumption that the risks posed by genetically engineered plants are basically the same as those posed by conventional plants. This approach has admittedly been revised several times since 1993 but has in essence remained unchanged.

The Return of the Triffids

In September 2009 genetically engineered plants returned to life like supposedly extinct monsters from a movie: Herbicide tolerant Flax CDC-FLØØ1-2 (FP967), more commonly named Triffid, was found in the European markets. All of its seeds were thought to have been destroyed in 2001. Nevertheless the genetically engineered crop popped up in food products in Germany and other countries in the EU, from where shipments were sent in regions also outside the EU. On October 5 2009 the news agency Reuters all in all listed 28 countries: Germany, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Croatia, Iceland, South Korea, Norway, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mauritius and Switzerland.

Resources

Cloning farm animals - a ´killing application´?

Risks and consequences of the introduction of cloned animals for food production

Then, Christoph & Tippe, Ruth - 2010

Risk Reloaded

Risk Analysis of Genetically Engineered Plant within the EU

Then, Christoph & Potthoff, Christof - 2010 -

Testbiotech-Report

New plant pest caused by genetically engineered corn

The spread of the Western Bean Cutworm causes massive damage in the US

Then, Christoph - 2010 -

A Testbiotech-Report prepared for Greenpeace Germany

Economic impacts of labelling thresholds for the adventitious presence of genetically engineered organisms in conventional and organic seed

Seed Puritiy: Costs, Advantages and Risk Management for Markets avoiding Genetically Engineered Plants

Then, Christoph & Stolze, Matthias - 2010 -

IFOAM, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements

Testbiotech opinion concerning the market application of genetically modified maize 1507

Bauer-Panskus, Andreas & Then, Christoph - 2010

Risk assessment of toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis - synergism, efficacy, and selectivity

Then, Christoph - 2009 -

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

A simple question in a complex environment

How much Bt toxin do genetically engineered MON810 maize plants actually produce?

Then, Christoph. & Lorch, Antje - 2008 -

in Breckling B, Reuter H, Verhoeven R (eds) (2008) Implications of GM-Crop Cultivation at Large Spatial Scales., Theorie in der Ökologie 14. Frankfurt, Peter Lang

Implications of GM-Crop Cultivation at Large Spatial Scales

Schadensbericht Gentechnik

Then, Christoph & Lorch, Antje - 2009 -

Bund für Ökologische Landwirtschaft

BÖLW (pdf)

Kampagne für gentechnisch veränderten Reis am Scheideweg

Fast 10 Jahre "Goldener Reis" - eine kritische Bilanz.

Then, Christoph - 2009 -

foodwatch e.V.

foodwatch (pdf)

EU-Risikomanagement

Risikobewertung und -management von Lebensmitteln - der Schlingerkurs der EU-Kommission