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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Health ![]() Genetics scientist suspended ![]() Dr Arpad Pusztai will now retire ![]()
Dr Arpad Pusztai claimed research on rats fed with genetically modified potatoes had suffered immune damage. He had gone on the ITV World In Action programme to raise questions about the safety of GM food in the human diet on the basis of the study. But his employers, the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen, said the scientist had got into a "muddle" and had provided misleading information.
Professor Phillip James, Director of the Aberdeen-based Rowett Research Institute, said Dr Arpad Pusztai had been interpreting the wrong data.
Professor James described the mistake as tragic. "He went too fast, too early." Dr Arpad Pusztai will now retire. In a statement, the Rowett said he would not in future have responsibility for institute, UK or European studies into GM food. Widespread debate The comments of the scientist on TV provoked widespread debate. Several MPs called on the government to implement a moratorium on GM foods.
"We are very pleased that the Rowett Research Institute has publicly regretted the tremendous harm caused by publicising this type of very misleading information in the name of science," he said. However, Friends of the Earth - a fierce opponent of GM foods - said the mistake made by Dr Arpad Pusztai made no difference to the central arguments. "There can be no justification for allowing the commercial development of these crops until that research has been conducted, properly published and subjected to full peer-group review," a spokesman said. Expert scrutiny The Rowett said the research on the health effects of genetically modified potatoes will now be subjected to thorough analysis by a panel of experts.
Both protect the potato from insects but the vegetable gene is known to have toxic qualities that could be harmful to human health. The modified potatoes have been fed to rats. The final data from the experiments will be available by Friday of this week but the Rowett will not release the findings until they have been properly scrutinised by "collaborating groups of scientists and official expert committees." ![]() |
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