Greenpeace hits DA’s ‘turnaround’ on toxic GMO

International environmental group Greenpeace scored on Saturday the alleged inaction of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on the entry to the country of genetically modified corn found to be toxic to the liver and kidney. In a statement, Greenpeace said DA’s “do-nothing policy" on genetically modified organisms (GMO) is “dangerous". The group said the DA “backtracked" on Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap’s earlier statement revoking the authorization of GMO corn MON863. Greenpeace said MON863 is a genetically-manipulated corn that produces its own insecticide. The group said the insecticide contains gene coding for antibiotic resistance and kills root worm insects in the soil. The group said that a study titled “New Analysis of a Rat Feeding Study with a Genetically Modified Maize Reveals Signs of Hepatorenal Toxicity," showed that MON863 is associated with significant health risks. The study was published in the scientific journal "Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology", early this month, Greenpeace said. "In an unexplained turnaround from their earlier statement, the DA is now upholding their permit to Monsanto for the GMO corn MON863 despite existing concerns on the GMO’s health risks which Secretary Yap earlier acknowledged," said Greenpeace Southeast Asia Genetic Engineering campaigner Daniel Ocampo. -GMANews.TV