WIRES:

CTU Concerns Unfounded

Friday, 26 January 2001, 2:11 pm
Press Release: Unknown

CTU concerns about health risks to New Zealand workers arising from the use of gene technology are unfounded the Chairman of the New Zealand Life Sciences Network, Dr William Rolleston said today.

“The CTU has either been misinformed or has failed to research its submission properly when it raises health and safety concerns about GMOs.

“The fact of the matter is that there has not been even one verifiable reported incident, anywhere in the world, where a consumer, research worker or agricultural worker has suffered any ill effect from a genetically modified organism or from the product of a GMO.

“In fact, GMOs cannot enter the food chain unless they have been extensively tested for toxicity and allergenicity prior to release.

“What GMOs do is to offer agricultural workers a production method which is much less reliant on chemicals and therefore exposes those workers to much less risk from pesticides.

“American agricultural workers, as well as farmers, have welcomed the use of GM crops and the reduction in toxic chemical use they have brought about. Over the last 4 years farmers growing genetically modified crops in the US have used literally millions of litres less chemicals than in the past. This has brought economic, environmental and health benefits.for farmers, workers and consumers,” concluded Dr Rolleston

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