How are anti-GMO groups influencing German school science curriculum?

Since 2010, the genetic engineering information service Genetic Engineering has been offering teaching materials and teaching suggestions to teachers and secondary school pupils [in Germany]. These include articles, graphics, simulation games and films in which ostensibly scientifically sound information is provided about the use and risks of genetic engineering in agriculture.

The portal receives money from four foundations, which in turn are decidedly critical of GMO technology and obviously want to see their views incorporated in school lessons. Authors of the portal say  genetically modified plants are considered to be an intolerable risk.

This includes the Munich [anti-GMO group] Testbiotech. For teachers and students, it is not immediately obvious that the authors of the materials and information are vehement opponents of so-called “agro-genetic engineering.”

…

[T]he portal reported on the so-called Séralini affair as a hunt for an “independent” scientist. Gilles-Eric Séralini published a study in 2012 claiming that [GMO] corn and the glyphosate-containing herbicide Roundup are carcinogenic. Due to considerable deficiencies, however, the study was….criticized by numerous scientists and [retracted].

This article was published in German. This summary was prepared with Google Translate and edited for clarity.

Read full, original article: Eco-lobby penetrates into school lessons