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Nanoparticles found in common food products
Independent testing has found potentially harmful nanoparticles in a range of food products.
EU’s top court rules new GM techniques must be regulated – in sharp contrast to Australian regulators
The European Union’s top court has ruled that new genetic modification (GM) techniques such as CRISPR pose similar risks to older GM techniques and need to be assessed for safety in the same way. The ruling directly contradicts the recommendations of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) that a number of these techniques should be deregulated. The OGTR and FSANZ have relied almost completely on advice from biotechnology scientists with clear commercial conflicts of interest in...
read moreCSIRO plans DARPA funded genetic extinction experiments in WA
A raft of emails obtained through a Freedom of Information request (The Gene Drive Files) reveal that CSIRO and University of Adelaide scientists are part of a US military funded global network researching a risky new genetic modification (GM) technique referred to as gene drives. The group have already identified six potential islands in Western Australia where they intend to use the technique to drive local mice populations to extinction. Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA – the US military’s research arm) is contributing...
read moreWhile scientists call for precaution and transparency, Government proposes deregulating new GM techniques
Scientists Professor Jennifer Doudna and Assistant Professor Kevin Esvelt will speak at a forum in Melbourne tonight on the need for precaution and transparency in the application of the new genetic modification (GM) technique CRISPR[i]. Meanwhile our Federal Government is proposing changes to our Gene Technology Regulations that would make Australia the first country in the world to deregulate the use of this technique in animals, plants and microbes. Take action: stop the government from shredding the rules on GMOs The Office of the Gene...
read moreFSANZ misled minister regarding nanoparticles in baby formula
In July 2017, independent testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth found nanoparticles in popular Australian infant formula products that are both illegal in Australia and potentially dangerous. Now, documents released under Freedom of Information laws show that our food regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) unilaterally ‘legalised’ the use of nano-hydroxyapatite in baby formula after previously declaring it wasn’t permitted. FSANZ also misled its minister – Dr David Gillespie – and the public by stating that members of...
read moreScientists question the safety of nano-titanium dioxide in food
Last week scientists at a Nanosafety Forum hosted by the University of Sydney raised concerns about the continued use of nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in food and called for the better regulation of nanomaterials. A number of recent studies have raised serious concerns about the potential toxicity of nano TiO2 in food. However, our food regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) continues to assert that it is safe and to ignore or dismiss new peer reviewed evidence. Dr Laurence Macia, immunologist and senior research...
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And that could destroy life on Earth.