An edited version of this letter was published in the October 23 1998 edition of the leading British agricultural journal
Farming News
Sir,
Nature fights back as technology tries to outsmart it
Professor Michael Wilson (Farming News 9 October) offers a vigorous defence of the safety and agronomic performance of genetically modified crops. He expresses complete confidence in the regulatory system and presents the use of the technology as a necessary tool in what he refers to as a genetic ‘cat-and-mouse’ game between new crop varieties and rapidly evolving plant pathogens and pests.
However, his confidence in the ability of transgenic technology to overcome such problems and to do so without risk to human health is fast looking out of date as a result of developments which have only come to light in the last few weeks.
In September Novartis started offering financial incentives to farmers who agree not to plant its GM maize varieties with a built-in insecticide for the whole of their crop, because of the rapid development of resistance by target pests. Farmers are now advised to plant up to 40% of their crop with non modified varieties in order to "preserve this technology for years to come."
Only a year ago the recommendation was 20% and even then entomologists were astonished by the rapid mutation of pests in reaction to the crop at speeds never seen before in agriculture. Within the space of just 2 to 3 years the application of this technology is proving clearly unsustainable. The harder you try to outsmart nature, the harder she fights back.
Also in September an investigation carried out by a Canadian Senator revealed that the US authorities had concealed data submitted by Monsanto which confirmed damaging health effects on rats treated with its genetically engineered BST, and which was approved for milk production in America in 1993. This data is reviewed in a report carried out by Canadian Government scientists which the Canadian authorities have also tried to suppress, but which has been released under Access to Information regulations within the last few weeks.
In these circumstances it is difficult to share Professor Wilson’s confidence in the regulatory systems for ensuring the safety of genetically modified products or in their long term usefulness to farmers.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Griffiths BSc FRICS FAAV
Environment Spokesman
Will GM crops deliver benefits to farmers? - some
realities behind biotechnology myths
Why consumers are concerned about GM foods
Why GM technology in agriculture is flawed
Earlier letter in Farming News on lack of markets for GM crops
GM crops a threat to future viability of farming in Hampshire
Dorset farmers react in support of NLP GM warnings
Natural Law Party campaign to ban genetically modified foods in
Wessex
