Author : Quijano, Romeo E.

Summary : There are probably many other potential adverse effects from GMOs that are as yet unidentified. It must be noted that numerous examples exist where a chemical drug, food product or additive had been initally claimed to be safe but later banned because of being deemed dangerous to health. It must be noted further that safeties testing of GMOs have been grossly indadequate. Routine toxicologic screening tests usually employed on new chemicals or food additives have not been performed on the basis of a dubious and grossly unscientific conclusion of "substantial equivalence". Approval from the US regulatory bodies such as the EPA and the FDA is often cited, as proof of the safety of GMOs but even a cursory examination of historical evidence would show that regulatory approval is no proo of safety. It is no secret also that several officials of the US regulatory agencies become officials of Monsanto (and vice versa), the chemical company who pushed for the approval of GMO's. It is disturbing that the transnational companies who have long history of numerous wrong doings in the conduct of their business, including manipulation and falsification of scientific data, manipulation of and buying off scientists, influence peddling among public and regulatory officials, and unethical even illegal trade practices, are apparently in forcing the widespread acceptance of GMO's. It is even more disturbing that the regulatory agencies, especially the National Biosafety Committee, supposedly mandated to safeguard public health and safety, continue to ignore the dangers that GMOs bring and choose to believe the empty promises of the transnational companies who are obviously profit-motivated and who aim to strenghen their monopoly control of our agricultural economy