Biotech Updates

Glover: GE Food Poses No Risk

August 3, 2012

Genetically engineered crops pose no harm than the conventional crops, says European Commission's Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Anne Glover.

"If we look at evidence from [more than] 15 years of growing and consuming GMO foods globally, then there is no substantiated case of any adverse impact on human health, animal health or environmental health, so that's pretty robust evidence, and I would be confident in saying that there is no more risk in eating GMO food than eating conventionally farmed food," explained Glover. She also stressed that most plants are toxic, and they only become edible after cooking. Thus, Glover believes that a less precautionary approach is needed for the technology so it can be used to address the challenges of food security with less land, energy, and water.

Glover was Scotland's chief scientific advisor before joining the Commission.

Read the original article at http://www.euractiv.com/node/514084.