I write in response to Donna Worden’s letter of July 12. I was surprised by the citing of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine statement that, “There is more than casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation.” As a medical professional interested in the GMO debate I was unaware of any studies that establish cause of adverse GMO health effects in humans. Since I had not heard of the AAEM I did some brief research and noted that the academy does not publish any journal or sponsor research. I also note the following from Wikipedia:
Quackwatch lists the American Academy of Environmental Medicine as a questionable organization, and its certifying board, the American Board of Environmental Medicine as a dubious certifying board. They are not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Genetic engineering is simply a tool. Like any tool, it can make good things and it can make bad things. So the scientific conclusion is genetic engineering as a tool is perfectly benign, but the products of that tool might be or might not be. I would suggest cautious and science-based evaluation of claims for both benefit and harm. Sloganeering and presentation of anecdotes as science does not advance informed public discussion and policy.
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