Scientists Back Community Groups On Test For Illegal Corn
GE Free NZ in food and environment are calling for FSANZ to identify and label products that contain GE and remove all
those contaminated by Bt10 corn from supermarket shelves after scienists have given backing to our concerns.
Failure by FSANZ to take action is raising international concern and could prompt boycotts of all US corn products.
"Scientists from New Zealand Institute of Gene Ecology have reviewed and analysed data on Bt10 & 11 provided to FSANZ by Syngenta. These data clearly point to considerable differences between the Bt11 and Bt10 corn",
says Claire Bleakley from GE Free NZ in food and environment
"If action to test and withdraw the illegal corn is not taken it may be best to avoid buying any corn products that do
not have a guarantee of safety by being labeled GE Free."
The clear differences raise concerns over the environmental and health safety of both these GE corn constructs,
including use of a marker for resistance to Ampicillin: an important antibiotic used to treat Meningococcal disease.
Dr Mae-Wan Ho and Professor Joe Cummins have raised concerns over instability in the ampicillin resistance marker gene
given only partial information was provided to the FSANZ and because the antibiotic resistance marker gene could have
ended up in another part of the cell's genetic material.
"The Food Standards Australia/ New Zealand (FSANZ) and New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) should take very
seriously the inaccuracy and flawed interpretation of the Bt10 &11 data they have been presented with by Syngenta" said Claire Bleakley.
"It appears that FSANZ have accepted sloppy science on the GE reference material they have been presented and have not
been diligent in seeking independent advice."
Independent scientific reports outline concerns over the health effects on people eating such food because of such
changes. Further if this hybrid Bt10/11 corn entered the seed line in New Zealand it could cause silencing of vital
genes, higher levels of protein expression or production of new toxins.
Without the necessary action by FSANZ people may be driven to completely avoid all US-derived corn which could
negatively impact many grocery manufacturers. The EU has already banned gluten imports from the US until testing was
developed to identify Bt 10 contamination.
The testing is now available and used in Europe. The responsible action is for FSANZ to also now use the test, but they
refuse to.
ENDS
Reference
Bt10 Detection Method Unacceptable Dr. Mae-Wan Ho and Prof. Joe Cummins
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http://www.cfscan.fda.gov/
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Payne J. USDA/APHIS Petition 95-195-01 for Determination of Nonregulated Status for Bt11 Corn 1996.
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Hanten J and Meeusen R. Petition for Determination of Nonreguloated Status for: Insect protection corn expressing the
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"DEFRA accused of key role in GM contamination cover-up", Press Notice from GM Free Cymru 30 March 2005