Step three - "fast track"

The text below is almost the same as in Step one, but links are added.



NOTE: Before you read the text below, it is good to start with "Introduction to genetic engineering." It may be of interest also for you who know some about genetic engineering.

Our main conclusions at a glance

We find that commercial application today of genetical engineering for production of foods as well as for other purposes cannot be scientifically justified and carries with it unpredictable and potentially serious consequences. This includes plants, trees, bacteria, insects and animals.

The reasons are as follows:

  • The knowledge about genes is too incomplete to make it possible to predict the consequences of genetic engineering.

    (NOTE: If you get lost in following the links from this page and want to return here, you will find a link to "Fast track" under "Starting points". You will get there from the link list at the bottom of every page.)

    1. Is our knowledge sufficient for safe use of biotechnology? [EL]. A brief introduction.
    2. Incomplete knowledge about DNA  [EL]. This article for the layman explains in greater detail, how little we know about genes. It is a simplified condensate of the following scientific article:
    3. Does science have enough knowledge about DNA to be able to predict and master the effects of genetic engineering? [ML].  

  • The knowledge about the health safety of GE foods is seriously incomplete.
    1. Inadequate safety assessment of GE foods.  [EL]. This article is a "must" for everyone who believes GE foods are well tested and safe.
    2. Why unpredictable substances may appear[ELi] [ML].
    3. No safety assessment methods are fully reliable [EL].
    4. The reasons why hazardous substances may be created [ML].
    5. The Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods. Reasons to expect hazards and the risk for their appearance. [ML]
  • The knowledge about the environmental safety of GE organsims is seriously incomplete.
    1. "Is there sufficient knowledge about environmental effects to justify release of GE organisms?" [ML] ( almost  [EL] ).
    2. Environmental hazards. A list with many links.
  • There is no need for GE organisms for feeding the world or solving nutritional deficiency problems.
    1. It is a myth that world hunger is due to scarcity of food [EL].  
    2. "FAO report reveals GM crops not needed to feed the world" [EL].
    3. No need for GM rice. A much simpler, safer and cheaper solution than using "GE golden rice" for Vitamin A deficiency.

    Furthermore, food biotechnology perpetuates environmentally unsustainable industrial agriculture. It is based on chemicals of various kinds that are demonstratedly harmful to the health of the consumer and to the environment. There are effective, sustainable alternatives. See "Alternatives to genetic engineering of food".

    Why were GE-foods yet approved?
    Here are some answers:

    1. Why were genetically engineered foods approved in spite of insuffient safety data?  [EL].
    2. How It Happened That We Don't Regulate Biotech  [EL].

    • To step four