Iran’s scientists push back against activist scare-mongering on safe GMO foods

iran farmer
A worker gathers wheat in Tehran, Iran

Those voicing their opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have no scientific or convincing proof, Iran’s chief of the Department of Environment said.

“Some 16 million hectares of land are planted with genetically modified crops worldwide,” Isa Kalantari said, adding, seven years ago a comprehensive research was conducted in association with 70 universities worldwide by allocating $500 million examining the possible disadvantages of GM crops on human health.

“The extensive research did not support any assumptions about the adverse effects of the genetically modified crops,” Kalantari stated.

There is no rational reasoning behind such claims, those who are against the GM crop are merely relying on political reasons, he suggested.  

In Iran, the biosafety working group (affiliated with the Department of Environment) is tasked with imposing regulations and investigating the negative impacts of GMOs both on environment and human health.

The working group is established in 2010 following Iran becoming a party to Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity (an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs)).

Further the ministries of health and agriculture are also in charge of providing consents for production of GMOs in the country.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Opponents of GMOs have no scientific proof: environment chief

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