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Scientist warns over GM potato trials


By Louise Hosie, Scottish Press Association

Published: 02 December 2006

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A scientist whose controversial study first ignited fears over
genetically

modified food warned today the decision to approve trials of

blight-resistant potatoes in the UK meant preventing
cross-contamination

was "almost impossible".


Dr Arpad Pusztai caused an academic uproar when he claimed in 1998
that

rats fed on GM potatoes suffered organ damage.


Today the Hungarian-born nutritionist said he was opposed to the
approved

GM trials in Derbyshire and Cambridgeshire, which he described as an

"extremely stupid move".


"If these potatoes are going to be grown on a large scale then it is

almost impossible to avoid genetic contamination," he said.


"Sooner or later the same gene will get into our common potato.


"There is no demand for genetic modification in this country and it
could

be the death nail for the potato because it is not going to be
bought
by

the general public."


He added that he felt the Government had approved the trials in
order
to

change the public's negative attitude about genetic modification.


"We are dealing with a very unstable genome which will almost
certainly be

producing some toxic effects and if they get into our human food
chain it

will cause a huge calamity," he said.


"I think the general public will have a great deal to say about this
and I

don't think the local farmers will be overjoyed."


Dr Pusztai, who eats only organic potatoes, said he felt the company

planning to grow the potatoes saw Britain as a "soft touch" as the
trials

would not be allowed in many other EU countries.


"If people agree that they don't want this, then it can be stopped,"
he said.


"There are very good natural varieties of potatoes and I think doing
this

is just playing with fire."


Dr Pusztai said his research found GM food could weaken the immune
system

of rats, stunt their growth and damage their internal organs.


His study was discredited by the Royal Society and he later retired
from

his job at Aberdeen's Rowett Institute.


A scientist whose controversial study first ignited fears over
genetically

modified food warned today the decision to approve trials of

blight-resistant potatoes in the UK meant preventing
cross-contamination

was "almost impossible".


Dr Arpad Pusztai caused an academic uproar when he claimed in 1998
that

rats fed on GM potatoes suffered organ damage.


Today the Hungarian-born nutritionist said he was opposed to the
approved

GM trials in Derbyshire and Cambridgeshire, which he described as an

"extremely stupid move".


"If these potatoes are going to be grown on a large scale then it is

almost impossible to avoid genetic contamination," he said.


"Sooner or later the same gene will get into our common potato.


"There is no demand for genetic modification in this country and it
could

be the death nail for the potato because it is not going to be
bought
by

the general public."


He added that he felt the Government had approved the trials in
order
to

change the public's negative attitude about genetic modification.


"We are dealing with a very unstable genome which will almost
certainly be

producing some toxic effects and if they get into our human food
chain it

will cause a huge calamity," he said.


"I think the general public will have a great deal to say about this
and I

don't think the local farmers will be overjoyed."


Dr Pusztai, who eats only organic potatoes, said he felt the company

planning to grow the potatoes saw Britain as a "soft touch" as the
trials

would not be allowed in many other EU countries.


"If people agree that they don't want this, then it can be stopped,"
he said.


"There are very good natural varieties of potatoes and I think doing
this

is just playing with fire."


Dr Pusztai said his research found GM food could weaken the immune
system

of rats, stunt their growth and damage their internal organs.


His study was discredited by the Royal Society and he later retired
from

his job at Aberdeen's Rowett Institute.</x-tad-
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