As the number of GM crops increase, so do the number of scientists worldwide against it. Recently, the number of scientists proclaiming their stance against GMOs has steadily grown to 230. When the “No Scientific Consensus on GMO safety” statement was initially signed on Oct. 21, there were approximately 100 scientists, but more than a week later, that number has more than doubled and is continuing to grow. This is a huge step forward in the fight against the use of GMOs in crop production.

GMOs have been around for a while now, leading many people to explore their effects on the environment and on human health.  According to the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility, there are no epidemiological studies on the effects of GMOs on human health.  They also state that there is no proof that GM food is safe and there is no reliable evidence to prove the safety of GMOs, yet proponents of GM crop production say that it is totally safe. One of the signatories, Dr. Judy Carman, director of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research in Adelaide, Australia, stated that, “Of the thousands of GM crops approved for human consumption, many have not been thoroughly tested and that there is no real consensus that they are all safe to eat.”

Many other signatories including Elena Alvarez-Buyllla, coordinator of the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Plant Development and Evolution in UNAM, Mexico, stated that we must be extremely cautious in case of a release of GM maize in the heartland of corn production, Mexico. Many researchers have predicted the negative environmental impacts stemming from GM production, proclaiming that crop and weed resistance problems will and currently will be a problem for farmers, while benefiting the GM seed production corporations.

There are currently 26 countries that ban GMOs completely and other countries that have taken a stance against it, including the U.S. which has initiated GMO labeling on certain food products and has created laws for GMOs.

To find the full list of the signatories, click here or to view the most recent press release here.

Image Source: Kevin Van den Panhuyzen/Flickr