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GM food facts
Queensland Times
19/07/05
Contrary to the claims made by Kathryn Smith ‘Toxic food can cause damage’ (19/07/05), there is no evidence of harm to human health and the environment resulting from genetically modified (GM) crops, which have been grown commercially in Australia over the past nine years.
A recent report released by the World Health Organisation has concluded that the “GM foods currently on the international market have undergone risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health in any other form than conventional counterparts”, and further no health problems from eating such foods have arisen.
CSIRO introduced insect-resistant GM cotton into Australia in 1996. The use of these varieties allowed growers to halve their use of pesticides over the following years. A second insect resistant GM variety has recently been introduced, and CSIRO researchers predict it will allow pesticide reductions of up to 75 per cent each season. This has been a positive outcome not only for the environment but also for the cotton-growing communities. Eighty per cent of the cotton grown in Australia is now comprised of GM varieties.
Australia’s gene technology regulations are amongst the most stringent in the world, not only in relation to research, but also relating to food safety and labelling. If foods contain one per cent or more GM content, they will be labelled as such, so that consumers can make purchasing decisions based on this knowledge.
It is vital that the facts are presented on this complex topic. Information sourced from known anti-GM campaigners does not present the facts. It is vital that consumers look to trusted organisations such as CSIRO before making personal choices about one of the most scrutinised technologies in the world today.
Paula Fitzgerald
Executive Director
Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited
Canberra
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