Government urged to study GM risks

03 May 1999

Government urged to study GM risks

by FWi staff

THE governments scientific advisers have urged ministers to create a special unit to monitor the potential health risks of eating genetically modified (GM) food.

Chief medical officer Professor Liam Donaldson, and chief scientific adviser Sir Robert May, have told ministers that the unit is needed to keep pace with research.

According to todays Independent, the recommendation was made in a confidential report commissioned by Cabinet Minister Jack Cunningham.

The report says a unit is needed because “our understanding [of the potential health risks from GM foods] is still developing”, claims the newspaper.

The unit would be similar to the CJD monitoring unit set up during the BSE crisis and would check everything from new cancers to birth defects.