Will The U.S. National Academy Of Sciences Fumble Its Reassessment Of GMOs?

I write skeptically about science, public policy, media and NGOs.

Jon Entine

The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences held two days of discussions on the controversial issue of crop biotechnology as it collects information for a spring 2016 report. The ad-hoc committee of 18 scientists is pledged to take “a science-based look at genetically-engineered crops.” Will it do that? The first two days were not encouraging.
 

The National Academy of Sciences has itself previously concluded that genetically modified foods are as safe or safer than conventional or organics, as have dozens of other prominent independent science organizations. Yet of the 17 speakers over two days, 12 were critical of crop biotechnology, mostly representing dedicated anti-GMO advocacy organizations, such as the Center for Food Safety, Consumers Union, ETC Group, Greenpeace and the Union of Concerned Scientists, among others; two others expressed no opinion one way or the other, but endorsed a “big tent” approach to the assessment.......this panel, has an opportunity to end this charade, this faux debate over GMO safety: There are simply no credible studies in top flight journals—and none that has been repeated—that suggest serious likely safety issues that would not also apply to conventional or organic foods...To Read More......