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Transgenic products safe, say RI scientists
After a French researcher published an alarming study on genetically modified crops, Indonesian scientists say they will scrutinize research from around the globe before commenting on the use of transgenic products in the country
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fter a French researcher published an alarming study on genetically modified crops, Indonesian scientists say they will scrutinize research from around the globe before commenting on the use of transgenic products in the country.
“We will check empirical data from independent research bodies to determine whether the genetically-modified products are safe for consumption, Bambang Purwantara, a member of the National Genetically-Modified Product Biosafety Commission, said at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.
All genetically engineered crops in Indonesia had been “thoroughly” evaluated, Purwantara said. “There’s no need to worry about anything.”
The press conference was convened after Reuters reported that French researcher Gilles-Eric Seralini published a study on Sept. 19 that said that rats suffered tumors and multiple organ damage after they were fed with NK603 genetically modified corn seed produced by a Mosanto or exposed to its Roundup glyphosate weed killer.
The commission’s chief, Agus Pakpahan, said that NK603 and Roundup were safe and that he would not revoke the commission’s approval of the products without proof. “We can guarantee all of our issued recommendations,” he said.
Another commission member, Bambang Prasetya, said he would investigate the French scientist’s findings by conducting a study with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).
“As a scientist, I see this as an interesting issue. I and colleagues at LIPI will voluntarily perform the research and publish it. Hopefully, the commission can use it as a reference regarding the matter,” Prasetya, LIPI’s deputy director for biological research, said.
Prasetya said that his team would start work in January after they received funding.
Meanwhile, Russia has temporarily banned imports of NK603, which is widely used as an animal feed, while the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said that Seralini’s research had “unclear study objectives” and “inadequate design, analysis and reporting,” claiming that the Frenchman’s report was of “insufficient scientific quality for safety assessments”.
The Indonesian commission has issued recommendations on 11 food products, an animal feed and on the cultivation of genetically modified sugarcane since it was established in 2010.
Its recommendations are used by the Agriculture Ministry, the Environment Ministry and the National Drug and Food Monitoring Agency (BPOM) to create regulations.
While transgenic foods are widely used in Indonesia, their cultivation has been hindered by local scientists and activists who say the crops are unsafe. (yps)
