Abstract

Reference: IUNS/IUTOX 2002
Title: Genetically Modified Foods for Human Health and Nutrition: The Scientific Basis for Benefit/Risk Assessment.
Authors: International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and the International Union for Toxicology (IUTOX)
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication details: Executive Summary and Special Issues published in Trends in Food Science and Technology Vol. 14  pp169-338, May-August 2003.

The purpose of this report is to provide an independent analysis of the scientific basis for assessing the benefits and risks of genetically modified (GM) crops and food, specifically in relation to their current and future impacts on human health and nutrition worldwide.  In 2000, two of ICSU’s member unions, the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and the International Union for Toxicology (IUTOX) initiated this project on GM food (GMF) and GM crops for human health and nutrition. Four other ICSU member unions and two ISCU scientific committees, representing a breadth of scientific interests, joined in the project.

A monograph with ten specialized chapters was prepared to provide the basis for the Summary report and conclusions.  The monograph’s principal focus is the scientific basis for assessing the risks and benefits to human health of GM foods and GM crops. It also seeks to identify ways in which knowledge gained from the health and nutrition sciences can contribute to the broad public debate, help clarify choices for individuals, communities and countries and inform policy development, while recognising that the context in which choices are made varies significantly with differences in societies, environments and economies across the world. In support of these aims the monograph also identifies gaps in knowledge where additional scientific research may help resolve uncertainties about safety, benefits, utility, acceptability and other aspects pertinent to the development and use of genetically modified foods.  

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