The American Medical Association adopted a formal statement this week explicitly opposing the mandatory labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods.

The AMA also adopted a report reaffirming that there is no evidence to suggest that the genetic modification process presents any unique safety issues.

In the words of the AMA statement: “Our AMA believes that as of June 2012, there is no scientific justification for special labeling of bioengineered foods, as a class, and that voluntary labeling is without value unless it is accompanied by focused consumer education.”

The AMA report is consistent with the findings of a majority of respected scientists, medical professionals and health experts, including a 1987 National Academy of Sciences white paper that concluded there is no evidence that genetically modified foods pose any health risks. The AMA’s report also reaffirms the council’s policy recommendation in a December 2000 report stating “there is no scientific justification for special labeling of genetically modified foods.”

Richard Cornett of the Western Plant Health Association notes that if California passes legislation this November mandating labeling of all GM foods, food producers throughout the country will suffer from steep costs.

If the labeling initiative becomes law, nearly 80 percent of the food in California’s grocery stores will need to be labeled. Food companies will be required either to develop California-only packaging or simply change their packaging altogether, a process that would be extremely expensive and time-consuming. Read more.

Labeling foods containing genetically modified (GM) ingredients could mislead consumers, since there is no evidence indicating the technology is unsafe, biotechnology expert Peggy Lemaux said in an interview with NPR.

Peggy Lemaux, a cooperative extension specialist at the University of California in Berkley who manages an informational website on biotechnology, points out that if mandates on labeling are implemented, it may actually make it more difficult for consumers to make sense of products’ labels and determine what’s really in their food. Furthermore, mandates could extend so far as to forbid even some whole foods from being labeled as “natural.” READ MORE »

Restrictions on genetically modified (GM) foods could negatively impact Europe’s competiveness in developing solutions to the global challenges of food security and climate change, the European Union’s first-ever chief scientific adviser, Anne Glover, said in an interview with PublicServiceEurope.com.  

Citing her research experience in molecular biology, Dr. Glover noted biotechnology’s contributions to innovation. “There has been an unparalleled acceleration of our knowledge generation through the use of GM,” she said.

Dr. Glover, who plans to focus on promoting the agricultural industry and sustainability, called on the European Union to consider biotechnology “based on evidence and not emotion.”

“By turning our backs on the evidence, there is a question over whether we are still going to be as competitive. We need to seriously look at GM crops when we tackle [to] the global problem of climate change and being able to feed the population of the world.” Read more.

Scientist calls for global collaboration in using biotech to feed the world

In an interview with Earthsky, Nina Fedoroff, president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest scientific society, discussed the important role of biotechnology in helping to feed the world and called for global collaboration in determining science-based regulations.

Dr. Fedoroff said, “there’s virtually no food that isn’t genetically modified. Let’s look at it carefully. Let’s put experts together to help regulate it, and go forward.” Read more

Drought-resistant crops help farmers withstand environmental challenges

According to Triple Pundit, an Israeli agro-biotechnology company is developing plant varieties genetically modified to withstand prolonged periods of severe drought, while also maintaining increased crop yields.

The company’s CEO, Amir Anviel said, “This experiment is another step in the company’s progress towards production of improved plants that will provide farmers with excellent yield even in drought conditions, and allow the growth of crops in wide areas that are currently unsuitable due to soil salinity and weather conditions.” Read more

Farmers say relocation of innovative German biotech company will hurt EU ag industry

Reuters reports a German company known for innovative biotech research decided to transfer its headquarters to the United States due to bans on cultivating GM crops, despite EU safety approval and protests from farming cooperatives.

Germany’s largest association of farming cooperatives said the announcement was “disastrous for Europe as a location for agricultural industries.” Read more