The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) launched, on 21 January, a public consultation on a scientific opinion concerning biotechnology applied to animals.
“Without providing any evidence, EFSA claims that genetic engineering applications in animals are not associated with any new risks”, denounces the Testbiotech organisation on Monday 3 February.
In particular, it criticises EFSA for failing to provide a precise definition of ‘new risks’.
EFSA should have first investigated the differences between previously used breeding methods and new genetic engineering, according to Testbiotech. EFSA’s approach, according to this organisation, “does not accurately reflect the current state of knowledge: it is shown in many publications that NGT (new genomic technique) applications in animals are likely to involve both specific risks and additional animal suffering in comparison to conventional animal breeding”. And Testbiotech is calling for the introduction of comprehensive regulations governing NGT-derived animals.
No food or feed derived from genetically modified animals is authorised for sale in the EU.
To see the consultation: https://aeur.eu/f/fch (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)