"Until thorough testing is done, particularly on long-term health effects and on possible environmental harm, Ottawa should not allow introduction of GM wheat. That same caution should apply to other plants and crops in a world that is rightly cautious about these altered organisms."
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DON'T RUSH INTO GM WHEAT
The Edmonton Journal (via Agweb)
05 Aug 2001
According to this editorial, we expect to hear groups such as Greenpeace issue dire warnings about genetically modified foods, but when a government agency warns its own government about the possible dangers, it's time for politicians and bureaucrats to listen.
That was the case last week when the Canadian Wheat Board joined 210 industry associations, agricultural groups and researchers who asked Ottawa to delay introduction of genetically modified wheat until scientific research establishes its safety.
The editorial says that the Wheat Board's reasons were hard-nosed business ones -- that Canada risks losing international markets for one of its best known exports. That's because many consumers have doubts about the health and environmental impacts of GM products.
As a result, the federal government must carefully consider its permits to test GM wheat and the possible economic implications. The loss of markets in any of the 70 countries that Canada ships the grain to would only add another blow to already financially strapped farmers.
The editorial goes on to say that the very secrecy of the field trials, with the federal government refusing to divulge their locations, illustrates how sensitive this issue is.
Monsanto itself knows this, having recently pulled its GM potatoes from the market. While the company has said that the potatoes did not fit into its line of key crops, critics said the firm was simply bowing to public pressure.
It may well be that there are no adverse health effects from eating GM foods such as wheat, just as there have been no problems with the cross-pollinated strains that have produced such abundant, cold-resistance varieties such as durum.
But that science isn't in yet, either. The editorial says that there has been no long-term consumption of GM wheats, and gene modification is more complex than simple cross germination of similar plants.
Until thorough testing is done, particularly on long-term health effects and on possible environmental harm, Ottawa should not allow introduction of GM wheat. That same caution should apply to other plants and crops in a world that is rightly cautious about these altered organisms.