EXTRACTS FROM THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Genetically modified foods and health: a second interim statement
March 2004

The following extracts from this statement demonstrate that, despite the impression given by media reports, the BMA does not support the approval given for the commercial cultivation of the GM maize.

‘…many unanswered questions remain, particularly with regard to the potential long-term impact of GM foods on human health and on the environment.’

‘…it remains possible that any new food products could elicit new allergies’, and research in this area is difficult.

‘GM foods could conceivably have different effects on those of poor nutritional status and/or belonging to “vulnerable groups” (notably the foetus, infants, children, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly and those with chronic disease) when compared with healthy individuals.’

‘While gene transfer has been observed in the gastrointestinal tract of some mammals and birds, there is still great uncertainty as to the extent and the consequences of this transfer.’

‘research is needed to assess whether transfer of DNA from GM food is more likely to occur as it contains additional material used to assist insertion of the GM DNA in the first place.’

‘Major concerns still surround the use of herbicides with GM crops and their effect on the environment.’

‘Robust population heath surveillance in relation to consumption of all foods, including GM foods, is essential …’

‘When seeking to optimise the balance between benefits and risks, it is prudent to err on the side of caution … ’

’The BMA supports the improvement of conventional and organic farming …’

‘…the evidence for real benefit [of GM crops] is not yet sufficiently persuasive to grow GM crops at the expense of conventionally derived alternatives that can be grown at least as effectively.’

‘…there should be an end to assumptions that GM crops are necessary to feed the starving …’

The BMA ‘does not feel that the argument has yet been made to allow widespread commercial planting of GM crops in this country.’

‘In the USA where a much larger proportion of the population has been exposed [to GM foods], food-borne illnesses are on the increase, although any suggestion that this could be linked to GM foods is not supported by scientific evidence.’