Why are famine-plagued countries rejecting genetically modified foods?
One reason the African countries give is that they fear that the genetically-modified grains might be planted rather than eaten. That could contaminate the entire region’s food supply, since once these crops are planted it’s almost impossible to stop their spread. This is critical, because the region’s economy relies on grain exports to overseas markets, including Europe, which refuses to import GE food. Is there any scientific consensus that genetically modified foods are safe? There is no scientific consensus that genetically engineered foods are safe. More than 450 scientists from 56 countries — including researchers from Harvard, MIT, Oxford and Cambridge universities — signed an open letter sent in the past few years to the U.S. Congress, the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. The letter cited studies that demonstrate the risks of GE foods. Among those risks are: • Acute toxic shock • Delayed immunological reactions • Auto-immune reactions • Cancer • Antibiotic-res
