Abstract

Reference: Vatican 2001
Title: Science and the Future of Mankind: Science for Man and Man for Science - The Proceedings of the Preparatory Session 12-14 November 1999 and the Jubilee Plenary Session 10-13 November 2000 
Authors: The Pontifical Academy of Sciences
Publisher: The Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Casina Pio IV, 00120 Vatican City
Publication details: Pontificia Academia Scientiarvm, Vatican City. 2001. 526p.

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences initiated a study on genetically modified plants, in 1999, in response to the concerns expressed by many Academicians at the way in which recent scientific results, and in particular those relating to genetically improved plant varieties, have been presented to the public. The Academy commissioned a study document on The Use of Genetically Modified Food Plants to Combat Hunger in the World. These Proceedings include the study document and its subsequent discussion and recommendations at the meetings and by the Academy Council in 2001.

The Pontifical Academy makes several recommendations in relation to the challenge of world hunger, the potential contributions of genetically modified food plants, and the conditions for the beneficial use of this new technology. The study expresses the concerns of the scientific community about the sustainability of present agricultural practices and the certainty that new techniques will be effective. It also stresses the need for the utmost care in the assessment and evaluation of the consequences of each possible modification.  The document also expresses concern about excesses with regard to the establishment of intellectual property rights in relation to widely used crops, which could be detrimental to the interests of developing nations. It also recommends that the examination of the safety of newly developed cultivars should be based on well-documented methods and that the methods and results should be openly discussed and scrutinised by the scientific community.  

The Academy also recommends the greater involvement of the international scientific community, through its worldwide umbrella organizations, in facilitating the beneficial use of GM food crops to combat hunger and to facilitate the development of common standards and approaches in both developing and industrial countries. The Academy recommends that a suitably composed international scientific advisory committee could be entrusted with this all-important task.  

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