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ASM Statement on Genetically Modified Organisms

Statement of the American Society for Microbiology on Genetically Modified Organisms 

I am surprised at some of the opinions expressed in the ASM statement on genetically modified organisms published in the October issue of the ASM News. I would like to point out that scientists who really believe that with GMO we are going to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among the poor of the world, are living in cloud-cuckoo-land. Just have to look at the marketing policies of Monsanto and Aventis of their GMO agricultural products. What about the tons of fruits, vegetables (not GMO) and meat dumped annually due to overproduction, while millions go hungry in some parts of the world? The last sentence in the statement which ends by " reliable and responsible knowledge will result in informed choice." Labeling of GMO products is also part of the consumers' informed choice.

S. Dharan
University Hospitals of Geneva
Switzerland

With respect to the ASM statement on genetically modified organisms, I'm not sure if the majority of ASM members would subscribe to that view. I guess at least European ASM members have a quite different opinion about labeling of genetically modified products. Genetic engineering of plants will certainly have a great and probably positive influence on the production of food, but the customer should have the choice what to buy. This is not "punitive" as said in the statement, the producer is free to explain why the genetic engineered product is better then the normal one. Of course this may be difficult. I don't know if I need products from plants resistant against herbicides or tomatoes which can last for weeks on a shelf.

Rainer Russ
University of Kaiserslautern
D-67663 Kaiserslautern
Germany