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Honorable President
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Brasil
29 September 2003
Dear Sir,
Please allow me to address you again on behalf of the Independent Science Panel
(ISP) on Genetic Modification (GM). The ISP consists of two dozen prominent
scientists from seven countries, spanning diverse disciplines, and who are concerned
to provide critical scientific information to the global debate over genetic
engineered crops, in view of its importance for the future of our food and agriculture.
If you recall, we wrote to you on 5 June 2003, informing you of our report entitled,
The Case for a GM-Free Sustainable World, which is an extensive review
of the scientific and other evidence on the problems and hazards of GM crops
and the manifold benefits of all forms of sustainable agriculture. Based on
this, we are calling for a global ban on environmental release of GM crops,
to make way for agroecology, organic farming and other forms of sustainable
agriculture.
News has just reached us that a provisional measure allowing farmers to plant
GM seeds for the 2003-2004 season in Brasil has been signed on 25 September
2003. While we recognise that there are difficulties with incidences of illegal
soya planting, we very respectfully request that you suspend this measure and
further prevent the release of transgenic seeds in Brasil.
Brasil, the second largest producer of soya in the world, has become the principal
source of non-GM soya for consumers who reject GM foods. Just recently, the
UK government’s national debate on GM issues found that the UK public
overwhelmingly reject GM crops. Based on the responses of about 37,000 people,
86 per cent were unhappy with the idea of eating GM food and 91 per cent thought
GM had potential negative effects on the environment. Only 8 per cent said they
would be happy to eat GM foods. Allowing the release of GM seeds in Brasil would
jeopardise this market, as currently, Brasil is the only large agricultural
exporter in the world that does not use GM seeds.
It is also clear, from the evidence presented in the ISP Report, that there
are many unanswered questions on the safety of GM crops. Very few studies have
been conducted, particularly as to the effects of GM foods on human health,
and the few independent studies that have been carried out raise serious concerns,
as pointed out by two recent review papers [1, 2].
Given the scientific uncertainties and the likelihood that once transgenic crops
are released into the environment, transgenic contamination of non-GM crops
is inevitable, we respectfully urge you to abide by the Precautionary Principle
and not legalise GM crops or seeds in Brasil.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Mae-Wan Ho
For the Independent Science Panel
1. A Pusztai, S Bardocz and SWB Ewen (2003) Genetically Modified
Foods: Potential Human Health Effects, Chapter 16 in Food Safety: Contaminants
and Toxicants, JPF D'Mello (ed), CABI Publishing.
2. Ian R. Pryme & Rolf Lembcke (2003) In vivo studies on
possible health consequences of genetically modified food and food - With particular
regard to ingredients consisting of
genetically modified plant materials, Nutrition and Health, 2003, Vol.
17, pp. 1-8.
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