Dame Jane Goodall has condemned politicians for pushing 'Frankenstein Food' Dame Jane Goodall, the renowned primate expert, has condemned ‘deluded’ politicians for pushing ‘Frankenstein Food’. The highly respected academic has endorsed a new book, which argues the companies responsible for developing genetically modified farming and food have twisted the evidence to minimise the dangers. Historically, critics of GM food have been lambasted by the GM companies, scientists who rely on their funding, and politicians, including the UK Government, as being ‘anti-science’. However, Dame Jane argues that the advocates of GM food have ignored evidence of harm with the result it is they who are guilty of being ‘anti-science’. The intervention is a powerful condemnation of the way biotech companies like Monsanto, Syngenta and Bayer, have forced GM crops and food on to dinner plates in the US without proper safety tests. And she is joining a growing campaign warning that Britain and Europe must not drop safeguards that have kept GM crops out. Dame Jane’s concerns have been raised in the foreword to a new book, ‘Altered Genes, Twisted Truth’, which is written by the American public interest lawyer, Steve Druker. Its publication comes as the US is seeing a growing backlash against GM. Just last week it emerged that the country’s favourite chocolate manufacturer, Hershey, is to drop GM from its products. Dame Jane said she has become appalled as what she calls a ‘shocking corruption of the life forms of the planet’. She said the GM process, which involves adding foreign genes to plants to create toxins to fend off insects or give them immunity to being sprayed with chemical pesticides has fundamentally changed them. However, she complains that supporters of the technology have committed a ‘fraud’ by trying to give the false impression that these new plants are essentially the same as those created by conventional plant breeding. She said: ‘This very real difference between GM plants and their conventional counterparts is one of the basic truths that biotech proponents have endeavoured to obscure. As part of the process, they portrayed the various concerns as merely the ignorant opinions of misinformed individuals – and derided them as not only unscientific, but anti-science. ‘They then set to work to convince the public and government officials, through the dissemination of false information, that there was an overwhelming expert consensus, based on solid evidence, that the new foods were safe. Yet this, as Druker points out, was clearly not true.’ Importantly, she claims, the companies have spread disinformation to try and win public support. ‘Druker describes how amazingly successful the biotech lobby has been – and the extent to which the general public and government decision makers have been hoodwinked by the clever and methodical twisting of the facts and the propagation of many myths. Moreover, it appears that a number of respected scientific institutions, as well as many eminent scientists, were complicit in this relentless spreading of disinformation.’ Dame Jane is considered to be the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees. She is best known for her 55-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. She was made a Dame in 2004 and holds many other awards for her environmental and humanitarian work, including the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science, the French Legion of Honour, the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science, Japan’ s Kyoto Prize and the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. The British government has signalled that it plans to use a new GM crop approval process to push ahead with growing the crops in this country. Separately, a new trade agreement between the EU and the USA, which is called TTIP, could make it much easier for GM foods from North America to appear on shelves here. However, Dame Jane warns it would be an enormous risk to accept the technology and describes Mr Druker as a hero worthy of a Nobel prize for lifting the lid on the truth about GM. Dame Jane endorsed a new book, which argues the companies responsible for developing genetically modified farming and food have twisted the evidence to minimise the dangers (file picture) She describes his work as one of the most important books of the last 50 years, and adds: ‘It will go a long way toward dispelling the confusion and delusion that has been created regarding the genetic engineering process and the foods it creates. ‘Although this book tells a story that’s in many ways distressing, it’s important that it has finally been told because so much confusion has been spread and so many important decision-makers have apparently been deluded.’ Mr Druker, who gave a press conference in London yesterday(wed), has challenged Britain’s Royal Society to apologies for its pro-GM stance and its part in rubbishing scientists who have safety doubts over the crops and food. His work points to research which has found tumours, liver and kidney harm in animals given GM feed in trials. And he complains, that researchers who dare to raise these problems have been pilloried. He said: ‘Contrary to the assertions of its proponents, the massive enterprise to reconfigure the genetic core of the world’s food supply is not based on sound science but on the systematic subversion of science – and it would collapse if subjected to an open airing of the facts.’ Pat Thomas, director of the campaigning group Beyond GM, warned the TTIP trade talks mean Britain and Europe could see a flood of biotech crops and food arriving here. She said: ‘Steven Druker’s investigation into the history of fraud and deceit that ushered in the era of GM deserves serious consideration before we take actions that will irreversibly alter the European food supply’. Dr Julian Little a spokesman for Bayer CropScience was not aware of Drunker's book. He said: 'We are now up to the three trillion meals and counting, that is meals containing GM ingredients, without a single substantial health issue since the beginning of the technology. 'There has been much dirt thrown but none of it has stuck.' On its website Monsanto say they place the 'highest priority' on the safety of their products and conduct 'rigorous and comprehensive testing on each.' They state: 'In fact, seeds with GM traits have been tested more than any other crops in the history of agriculture – with no evidence of harm to humans or animals. 'In addition, governmental regulatory agencies, scientific organizations and leading health associations worldwide agree on the safety of GM crops.' A spokesman for the company added: 'The denial of the safety of GM seeds and food ingredients is as baseless as the denial of clearly documented climate change. 'Countless peer-reviewed scientific studies performed with biotech crops — including more than 100 feeding studies — have confirmed their safety, as reflected in the respective safety assessments by regulatory authorities around the world.'

What are highlight points for this article?
Dr Jane Goodall argues supporters of GM food ignored evidence of harm.
Endorsed US book which says GM producers have twisted evidence.
Publication comes as backlash against GM food is growing in US.
Primate expert warns Britain and Europe not to drop GM safeguards.
Accuses supporters of 'fraud' and says they are 'anti science'
Dame Jane Goodall har fördömt politiker för att ha drivit på "Frankenstein Food" Dame Jane Goodall, den berömda primatexperten, har fördömt "förvillade" politiker för att ha drivit "Frankenstein Food". Den högt respekterade akademikern har ställt sig bakom en ny bok, som argumenterar för att de företag som ansvarar för utvecklingen av genetiskt modifierat jordbruk och livsmedel har förvrängt bevisen för att minimera farorna. Historiskt sett har kritiker av genmodifierade livsmedel lamsmakats av genmodifierade företag, forskare som är beroende av deras finansiering, och politiker, inklusive den brittiska regeringen, som ”antivetenskap”. Dame Jane hävdar dock att förespråkarna för genetiskt modifierade livsmedel har ignorerat bevis för skada med följden att det är de som är skyldiga till att vara ”antivetenskap”. Ingripandet är ett kraftfullt fördömande av det sätt på vilket bioteknikföretag som Monsanto, Syngenta och Bayer har tvingat fram genetiskt modifierade grödor och livsmedel på middagsplattor i USA utan ordentliga säkerhetstester. Och hon ansluter sig till en växande kampanj som varnar för att Storbritannien och Europa inte får släppa skyddsmekanismer som har hållit genetiskt modifierade grödor borta. Dame Janes oro har tagits upp i förordet till en ny bok, ”Altered Genes, Twisted Truth”, som är skriven av den amerikanske advokaten i allmänhetens intresse, Steve Druker. Dess publikation kommer när USA ser en växande motreaktion mot GM. Så sent som förra veckan framkom det att landets favorit chokladtillverkare, Hershey, ska släppa GM från sina produkter. Dame Jane sade att hon har blivit bestört som vad hon kallar en ”chockerande korruption av planetens livsformer”. Hon sade GM-processen, som innebär att lägga främmande gener till växter för att skapa gifter för att avvärja insekter eller ge dem immunitet mot att bli besprutade med kemiska bekämpningsmedel har förändrat dem i grunden. Hon klagar dock över att teknikanhängare har begått ett ”bedrägeri” genom att försöka ge det falska intrycket att dessa nya växter i huvudsak är desamma som de som skapas genom konventionell växtförädling. Hon sade: “Denna mycket verkliga skillnad mellan GM-växter och deras konventionella motsvarigheter är en av de grundläggande sanningar som bioteknikförespråkarna har strävat efter att dölja. Som en del av processen framställde de de olika angelägenheterna som enbart okunniga åsikter hos felinformerade individer – och hånade dem inte bara som ovetenskapliga, utan också som antivetenskap. – De började sedan arbeta för att övertyga allmänheten och regeringstjänstemännen, genom att sprida falsk information, om att det fanns ett överväldigande expertsamförstånd, baserat på säkra bevis, om att de nya livsmedlen var säkra. Ändå var detta, som Druker påpekar, helt klart inte sant.’ Viktigt, hävdar hon, har företagen spridit desinformation för att försöka vinna allmänhetens stöd. – Druker beskriver hur otroligt framgångsrik den biotekniska lobbyn har varit – och i vilken utsträckning allmänheten och de offentliga beslutsfattarna har lurats av den smarta och metodiska förvrängningen av fakta och många myters spridning. Dessutom verkar det som om ett antal respekterade vetenskapliga institutioner, liksom många framstående vetenskapsmän, var delaktiga i denna obevekliga spridning av desinformation.’ Dame Jane anses vara världens främsta expert på schimpanser. Hon är mest känd för sin 55-åriga studie av sociala och familjeinteraktioner av vilda schimpanser i Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. Hon blev Dame 2004 och innehar många andra utmärkelser för sitt miljö- och humanitära arbete, bland annat Benjamin Franklin-medaljen i Life Science, Franska Hederslegionen, Benjamin Franklin-medaljen i Life Science, Japans Kyotopris och Tyler-priset för miljöarbete. Den brittiska regeringen har signalerat att den planerar att använda en ny process för godkännande av genetiskt modifierade grödor för att driva på odlingen av grödorna i detta land. Separat skulle ett nytt handelsavtal mellan EU och USA, som kallas TTIP, kunna göra det mycket lättare för genetiskt modifierade livsmedel från Nordamerika att dyka upp på hyllorna här. Dame Jane varnar dock för att det skulle innebära en enorm risk att acceptera tekniken och beskriver Mr Druker som en hjälte värdig ett nobelpris för att ha lyft locket på sanningen om GM. Dame Jane stödde en ny bok, som argumenterar för att de företag som ansvarar för att utveckla genetiskt modifierat jordbruk och mat har förvrängt bevisen för att minimera farorna (filbild) Hon beskriver sitt arbete som en av de viktigaste böckerna under de senaste 50 åren, och tillägger: ”Det kommer att gå långt mot att skingra den förvirring och vanföreställningar som har skapats när det gäller den gentekniska processen och de livsmedel som den skapar. – Även om den här boken berättar en historia som på många sätt är beklämmande, är det viktigt att den äntligen har berättats eftersom så mycket förvirring har spridits och så många viktiga beslutsfattare uppenbarligen har blivit vilseledda. Herr Druker, som höll en presskonferens i London igår(wed), har utmanat Storbritanniens Royal Society att be om ursäkt för sin positiva inställning till genmodifierade frågor och sin del i att sopa bort forskare som tvivlar på säkerheten när det gäller grödor och livsmedel. Hans arbete pekar på forskning som har funnit tumörer, lever- och njurskador hos djur som fått genetiskt modifierat foder i försök. Och han klagar, att forskare som vågar ta upp dessa problem har blivit pilloriserade. Han sade: ”I motsats till vad dess förespråkare hävdar, är det massiva företaget att omforma den genetiska kärnan i världens livsmedelsförsörjning inte baserat på sund vetenskap utan på den systematiska omvälvningen av vetenskapen – och det skulle kollapsa om det utsattes för en öppen vädring av fakta.” Pat Thomas, chef för kampanjgruppen Beyond GM, varnade för TTIP-handelssamtalen innebär att Storbritannien och Europa skulle kunna se en flod av biotekniska grödor och livsmedel som anländer hit. Hon sade: ”Steven Drukers undersökning av historien om bedrägeri och svek som inleddes under GM:s tid förtjänar att allvarligt övervägas innan vi vidtar åtgärder som oåterkalleligen kommer att förändra EU:s livsmedelsförsörjning.” Dr Julian Little, talesman för Bayer CropScience, kände inte till Drunkers bok. Han sade: ”Vi har nu nått upp till de tre biljonerna måltider och räkningar, det vill säga måltider som innehåller genetiskt modifierade ingredienser, utan en enda väsentlig hälsofråga sedan teknikens början. "Det har kastats mycket jord, men inget av det har fastnat." På sin webbplats säger Monsanto att de lägger högsta prioritet på säkerheten hos sina produkter och utför ”rigorösa och omfattande tester på var och en”. De säger: ”I själva verket har frön med genetiskt modifierade egenskaper testats mer än någon annan gröda i jordbrukets historia – utan några tecken på skada för människor eller djur. "Dessutom är statliga tillsynsmyndigheter, vetenskapliga organisationer och ledande hälsoorganisationer över hela världen överens om säkerheten för genetiskt modifierade grödor." En talesman för företaget tillade: ”Förnekandet av säkerheten för genetiskt modifierade frön och livsmedelsingredienser är lika grundlöst som förnekandet av tydligt dokumenterade klimatförändringar. "De vetenskapligt granskade studier som genomförts med biotekniska grödor, inklusive mer än 100 utfodringsstudier, har bekräftat deras säkerhet, vilket återspeglas i de respektive säkerhetsbedömningarna av tillsynsmyndigheter runt om i världen." Vad är höjdpunkterna för den här artikeln?
Dame Jane Goodall has condemned politicians for pushing the "Frankenstein Food" Dame Jane Goodall, the famous primate expert, has condemned "confused" politicians for running "Frankenstein Food". The highly respected academic has endorsed a new book, arguing that the companies responsible for the development of genetically modified agriculture and food have distorted the evidence to minimize the dangers. Historically, critics of genetically modified foods have been crippled by genetically modified companies, scientists who depend on their funding, and politicians, including the British government, as ‘antiscience’. However, Dame Jane claims that the advocates of genetically modified foods have ignored evidence of harm with the result that it is those who are guilty of being ‘antiscience’. The intervention is a strong condemnation of the way biotechnology companies such as Monsanto, Syngenta and Bayer have forced genetically modified crops and food on dinner plates in the United States without proper safety tests. And she is joining a growing campaign warning that Britain and Europe must not release protective mechanisms that have kept genetically modified crops away. Dame Jane's concerns have been addressed in the preface to a new book, ‘Altered Genes, Twisted Truth', which is written by the American lawyer in the public interest, Steve Druker. Its publication comes when the United States sees a growing reaction to GM. As recently as last week, it emerged that the country's favorite chocolate manufacturer, Hershey, will release GM from its products. Dame Jane said that she has been appalled as what she calls a ‘shocking corruption of the planet's life forms'. She said the GM process, which involves adding foreign genes to plants to create toxins to ward off insects or give them immunity from being sprayed with chemical pesticides has fundamentally changed them. However, she complains that tech supporters have committed a “fraud” by trying to give the false impression that these new plants are essentially the same as those created by conventional plant breeding. She said: “This very real difference between GM plants and their conventional counterparts is one of the basic truths that biotechnology advocates have striven to hide. As part of the process, they presented the various affairs as merely ignorant views of misinformed individuals—and mocked them not only as unscientific, but also as antiscience. “They then started working to convince the public and government officials, by spreading false information, that there was an overwhelming expert consensus, based on solid evidence, that the new foods were safe. Yet, as Druker points out, this was clearly not true.’ Importantly, she claims, the companies have spread disinformation to try to win public support. “Druker describes how incredibly successful the biotechnological lobby has been – and to what extent the public and public decision-makers have been fooled by the smart and methodical distortion of facts and the spread of many myths. In addition, it seems that a number of respected scientific institutions, like many prominent scientists, were involved in this relentless disinformation spread.” Dame Jane is considered the world’s foremost expert in chimpanzees. She is best known for her 55-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. She became Dame in 2004 and holds many other awards for her environmental and humanitarian work, including the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science, the French Legion of Honour, the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science, Japan's Kyoto Prize and the Tyler Prize for Environmental Work. The UK government has signalled that it is planning to use a new process of authorisation of genetically modified crops to drive the cultivation of crops in this country. Separately, a new EU-US trade agreement, known as TTIP, could make it much easier for genetically modified food from North America to appear on the shelves here. However, Dame Jane warns that accepting the technique would pose a huge risk and describes Mr. Druker as a hero worthy of a Nobel Prize for lifting the lid on the truth about GM. Dame Jane supported a new book, arguing that the companies responsible for developing genetically modified agriculture and food have distorted the evidence to minimize the dangers (file image) She describes her work as one of the most important books in the past 50 years, adding: "It will go a long way towards dispelling the confusion and delusions created in terms of the genetic engineering process and the food it creates. “Although this book tells a story that in many ways is distressing, it is important that it has finally been told because so much confusion has spread and so many important decision-makers have obviously been misled. Mr Druker, who held a press conference in London yesterday (wed), has challenged the Royal Society of the United Kingdom to apologize for his positive attitude to genetically modified issues and his part in sweeping away scientists who doubt the safety of crops and food. His work points to research that has found tumors, liver and kidney damage in animals receiving genetically modified feed in trials. And he complains that scientists who dare to address these problems have been pillorated. He said: "Contrary to what its advocates claim, the massive company is to reshape the genetic core of the world's food supply not based on sound science but on the systematic upheaval of science – and it would collapse if it were exposed to an open airing of facts." Pat Thomas, head of the Beyond GM campaign group, warned of the TTIP trade talks mean that Britain and Europe could see a flood of biotechnological crops and food arriving here. She said: 'Steven Druker's study of the history of fraud and deceit that began in GM's time deserves serious consideration before taking action that will irrevocably change the EU's food supply'. Dr Julian Little, spokesman for Bayer CropScience, did not know Drunker's book. He said: "We have now reached the three trillion meals and bills, that is, meals containing genetically modified ingredients, without a single essential health issue since the beginning of technology. "There's been a lot of soil thrown, but none of it is stuck." On their website, Monsanto says that they place top priority on the safety of their products and perform “rigorous and extensive tests on each one”. They say: "In fact, seeds with genetically modified properties have been tested more than any other crop in agricultural history – without any sign of harm to humans or animals. "In addition, government regulators, scientific organisations and leading health organisations worldwide agree on the safety of genetically modified crops." A spokesman for the company added: "The denial of the safety of genetically modified seeds and food ingredients is as groundless as the denial of clearly documented climate change. "The scientifically reviewed studies conducted with biotechnological crops, including more than 100 feeding studies, have confirmed their safety, as reflected in the respective safety assessments by regulators around the world." What are the highlights of this article?
Dr Jane Goodall argumenterar för att anhängare av genetiskt modifierade livsmedel ignorerat bevis för skada. Den amerikanska boken säger att genmodifierade producenter har förvrängt bevisen. Publicering kommer då bakslag mot genmodifierade livsmedel växer i USA. Primate-experten varnar Storbritannien och Europa för att släppa GM-skydden. Anklagar anhängare av "bedrägeri" och säger att de är "antivetenskap"
Dr. Jane Goodall argues that supporters of genetically modified foods ignored evidence of harm. The American book says genetically modified producers have distorted the evidence. Publication comes as setbacks to genetically modified foods grow in the United States. The Primate expert warns the UK and Europe against releasing GM protection. Accusing supporters of "fraud" and saying they are "antiscience"