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September 11, 2008
Source: European Commission Joint
Research Center
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre has released
a new study entitled "Scientific and technical contribution to
the development of an overall health strategy in the area of
GMOs". The study assesses the current state of knowledge in this
field and defines areas for possible improvement. It was carried
out on the request of the European Parliament with
Directorate-General SANCO (Health & Consumer Protection) as the
lead European Commission Service. The European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) and a panel of twenty international experts
also inputted.
Addressing the potential health impacts of food is an important
element of a coherent consumer protection policy. Dealing with
the possible (positive and/or negative) impact of GM food on
human and animal health is the subject of intensive research and
is closely surveyed by the scientific community and regulatory
bodies.
The study contains an expert opinion in the format of a report
stemming from an international workshop, held in Italy in late
2007, on assessment and monitoring of health effects of GMOs.
The preparation of the study involved research leading to the
development by JRC of a new, ready-to-use analytical system for
the simultaneous detection of all EU approved and nonapproved
GMOs known to the Joint Research Centre.
The mission of the Joint Research Centre is to provide
customer-driven scientific and technical support for the
conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU
policies. Hosting six Community Reference Laboratories (CRLs),
the JRC plays a leading role in ensuring a harmonised approach
to GM food and feed analysis inside the EU. Reports produced by
the JRC do not necessarily represent the agreed views of the
collaborating experts nor do they represent the official
position of the European Commission. |
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