GM Science Review - Comments on First Report

From: J.Bond, Yate, BRISTOL

5.2.3 Compositional equivalence. p70.
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Two molecules may be compositionally and structurally identical, the one being the mirror-image of the other, but have widely differing properties.

5.2.6 Lack of successful litigation. p73.
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Impoverished farmers dependent upon bio-tech companies for seed, pesticide and herbicides cannot fund litigation. It is also often very difficult to link cause and effect for low-level poor human health.

5.5.1 Nutritionally enhanced fodder reduces soil and water pollution. p101.
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It is over-dense stocking that causes pollution. Soil microbes naturally recycle faeces, particularly when composted.

6.2.1 Alien (introduced exotic) species model. p111.
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Says, only approximately 15 plants out of an estimated 15,000 are a problem. It is the amount of devastation produced by the 15 species that is relevant.

6.3.3 Anecdotal evidence. p132.
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U.S. farmers' testimonies (as per the Soil Association's Report "Seeds of Doubt") are anecdotal. Whereas "facts" come from Scientific Institutes and Bio-Tech Company Reports. The latter are possibly over-optimistic, due to the need to recoup expenses and show a profit.

6.4.3 Resistance to several herbicides - "gene-stacking". p143.
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Said not to be a problem because of the multiplicity of available herbicides. Fails to mention that this may imply use of older, more toxic, herbicides. . The report admits lack of knowledge or lack of research on, eg, pages :-
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 73,74,79,98,103,104,107,113,116,118,119,124,127,135,147,148,152,153,174, 178,188-189,190,191,193,198,202,212,221,223,232,233.

Executive Summary.
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This minimises the volume of uncertainty and lack of research, as outlined in the body of the report (see above). The similarity of GM to traditional breeding transformations is over-emphasised. p50. The latter occurs only within the same family or with viruses.

p8. It is not explained that "peer review" may put knowledge into the Public Domain. Cutting edge "knowledge" of likely future commercial value, may lack "peer review" and may lack a full safety audit.