August 3, 2006

CAST says meat from livestock eating GM crops are safe

Food products from livestock that eat biotech crops are safe for humans to eat, according to a report from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology.

The organisation based its conclusion from information gained in the late 1990s through last year.

It used regulatory assessments on GM crops, results of feeding studies in farm animals and reports on animals' consumption of various proteins and DNA.

Meat, milk and eggs produced from animals fed biotechnology-derived crops are as wholesome, safe and nutritious as similar products produced by animals fed conventional crops, said John M. Bonner, CAST's executive vice president.

CAST was established in 1972 in the US as a result of a 1970 meeting sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council. It includes 38 scientific and professional societies as well as companies and nonprofit organizations among its members.