Green Light to Genetically Modified Crops

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A science advisory board concluded that genetically modified crops were generally safe for human consumption and the environment, in a comprehensive study published on Tuesday.

According to an exhaustive report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, which took two years and was conducted by a committee of more than 50 scientists, there were "no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between currently commercialized genetically engineered (GE) crops and conventionally bred crops," and they did not find "conclusive cause-and-effect evidence of environmental problems from the GE crops."

In addition, "the committee concluded that no differences have been found that implicate a higher risk to human health safety from these GE foods than from their non-GE counterparts."

(MORE: Genetically Modified Salmon Gains FDA Approval)

The report acknowledged that there were many strong opinions about GMOs and the group intended to "provide an independent, objective examination of what has been learned since the introduction of GE crops, based on current evidence."

"We received impassioned requests to give the public a simple, general, authoritative answer about GE crops," the report observed. "Given the complexity of GE issues, we did not see that as appropriate."

According to the New York Times, none of the report's authors were affiliated with biotech companies like Monsanto, though some members had "developed genetically engineered crops and might have been consultants to the companies."

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack applauded the study, according to the Chicago Tribune, saying it "add(ed) to the long list of research that shows genetically engineered foods are safe."

On the other hand, groups critical of GMOs were more skeptical of the report.

"It's not the final word," Patty Lovera, from the consumer group Food & Water Watch told NPR.

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