Scientist casts doubt on GM safety
18 October 2000
Scientist casts doubt on GM safety
By FWi staff
A SCIENTIST has stated that he would not drink milk from cows fed on genetically modified maize being scrutinised at a public hearing.
Professor Bob Orskov, director of the International Feed Institute in Aberdeen, appeared on Wednesday (18 October) as a witness for Friends of the Earth.
The hearing is to decide if the Aventis GM fodder maize Chardon LL can be added to the National Seed List, the final hurdle before commercial cultivation.
Prof Orskov told FoE that the scientific case put forward for this GM maize is not adequate, and warned that if it was grown dairy farmers could suffer.
“If the GM maize was approved for commercial growing in the UK, then people would be justified in turning their back on consuming milk derived from it.
“As a scientist I wouldnt drink milk from cows fed GM maize with the present state of knowledge.”
Prof Orskov, an expert on ruminant nutrition, is adamant that the GM maize should be thoroughly tested on cattle.
At present, a significant proportion of concentrated feed given to cattle, pigs and poultry is likely to contain some GM material, particularly soya.
- Aventis sticking up two fingers, FWi, 18 October, 2000
- Aventis faces defeat over Chardon, FWi, 06 October, 2000
- Aventis refuses to give GM evidence, FWi, 03 October, 2000