Posted by Phil Chandler on 1/22/2002, 2:10 pm Commoner summarizes a series of scientific reports that contradict that dogma. For example, last year the $3 billion Human Genome Project found there are too few human genes to account for the vast The central dogma claims a one to one correspondence between a gene's chemical composition and the structure of the As a result, the gene's effect on inheritance cannot be predicted from its chemical composition alone, which defeats Commoner's research sounds an alarm concerning the processes by which agricultural biotechnology companies modify food crops. Scientists assume the genes they insert into these plants always produce only the desired effect, with no other impact on the plant's genetics. But recent studies show that the plant's own genes can be disrupted in modified plants. Such outcomes are undetected "Experimental data, shorn of dogmatic theories, point to the irreducible complexity of the living cell," Commoner warns, "which suggests that any artificially altered genetic system "Genetically engineered crops represent a huge uncontrolled experiment whose outcome is inherently unpredictable," "Dr. Commoner's work challenges the legitimacy of the agricultural biotechnology industry," said Andrew Kimbrell, director of the Center on Food Safety. "For years, multibillion dollar biotech companies have been selling the The study, reported in the February issue of "Harper's Magazine," is the first publication of a new initiative * * *
BIOLOGIST CALLS SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING FLAWED
NEW YORK, New York, January 17, 2002 (ENS) - A new report charges that a long overlooked flaw in the science behind
genetic engineering raises serious questions about the safety of genetically engineered foods.
In a review of scientific literature, biologist Dr. Barry Commoner argues that the bioengineering industry, which now
accounts for 25 to 50 percent of the U.S. corn and soybean crop, relies on a 40 year old theory that DNA genes are in
total control of inheritance in all forms of life.
According to this theory, which Commoner calls the "central dogma," the outcome of transferring a gene from one organism
to another is always "specific, precise and predictable" - and therefore safe.
inherited differences between people and lower animals or plants, indicating that agents other than DNA must contribute to genetic complexity, Commoner says.
protein that it produces, Commoner explains. But under the influence of specialized proteins that carry out alternative splicing, a single gene can give rise to a variety of different proteins, resulting in more than a single
inherited trait per gene.
one of the main purposes of both the Human Genome Project and biotechnology, Commoner says.
because there is little or no overnmental regulation of the industry, Commoner charges.
must sooner or later give rise to unintended, potentially disastrous consequences."
Commoner concludes. "The results could be catastrophic."
American people and our government on the safety of their products. We now see their claims of safety are based on
faulty assumptions that don't hold up to rigorous scientific review."
called The Critical Genetics Project, directed by Dr. Commoner in collaboration with molecular geneticist Dr.
Andreas Athanasiou, at the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems, Queens College, City University of New York.
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