Sir, – Irish agriculture is poised at a crosswords of momentous importance, faced as it is, with the option of going down the genetically engineered route. However, the significance of this is unfortunately not being acknowledged.
Stella Coffey’s valuable contribution to the much-needed debate (Opinion March 26th) raised important points, including the startlingly simple fact that genetic engineering is in effect by-passing evolution. There were good reasons why evolution took a long time; ecosystems are unimaginably complex and it will take a long time before the impact of a new organism on its environment and fellow creatures becomes obvious.
Prof Matthew A Harmey’s letter (April 3rd) contains many points which could be challenged. One of which is the comparison between the growing of genetically engineered potatoes and the use of insulin obtained through genetic engineering. This is not accurate; drugs obtained through the process of genetic engineering are, like all medicinal products, subject to ongoing medical surveillance. The absence of even the most cursory assessment of the impacts of genetically engineered foods on human health, and the absence of any systematic surveillance system to detect changes does not mean that the “over 100 million” people consuming such food are without risk. Many independently funded studies of the impacts of genetically engineered food on animals have given rise for serious concern. There have been no published studies of the impact of genetically engineered foods on human health.
Genetic engineering of food is not the solution to any problem. A report from the United Nations Environment Programme stated, in relation to the impact of genetically engineered food: “Any major mistakes could lead to tragic and perhaps permanent changes in the natural world. For these reasons, future generations are likely to look back to our time and either thank us or curse us for what we do – or don’t do – about GMOs and biosafety”.
Irish agriculture has a long and proud record of producing clean food, and our natural environment is a precious resource; what we hold for our children is so easily lost. – Yours, etc,