GM maize

Jun 24 (IPS) - Genetically engineered maize planted in Canada and the United States, and sold in both markets, had an adverse affect on rats, according to secret Monsanto research released by a German court this week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require feeding studies for GE crops, said Doug Gurian-Sherman, senior scientist with the Centre for Food Safety (CFS), a Washington-based NGO. ”The FDA assumes all GE crops are perfectly safe,” Gurian-Sherman told IPS. In fact, the FDA doesn't require any studies at all, it only makes recommendations and suggestions, he said. ”The regulatory process for GE crops is run by the companies.” Reports about adverse affects on rats surfaced more than a year ago in Europe but no U.S. regulatory agency has looked at the full study, even after the CFS insisted they do so last fall, he said. ”U.S. regulators are willing to take some risks in order to push the technology,” he said. Meanwhile, today in Europe, EU environment ministers agreed to uphold eight national bans on GE rapeseed and maize. MON 863 appears to have escaped the ban, but if finally approved, it will only be used in animal feed. Officials at Monsanto could not be reached for comment. (END/2005)