Lucas Wirl

Landmark Supreme Court of Appeal judgment in ACB vs Monsanto and the State on the precautionary principle in GMO decision making

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Landmark Supreme Court of Appeal judgment in ACB vs Monsanto and the State on the precautionary principle in GMO decision making   The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) on 22 October 2024 reported on a groundbreaking ruling against Bayer-Monsanto and five state respondents in South Africa[1]: “After nine long years of arduous litigation by the … Read more

Webinar on hot button issues at CBD SBSTTA meetings in Nairobi Synthetic biology, artifical intelligence, risk assessment of gene drives

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Invitation

Webinar on hot button issues at CBD SBSTTA meetings in Nairobi: Synthetic biology, artifical intelligence, risk assessment of gene drives

Date:               Wednesday 4th September 2024 at 15:00 CEST
Presenters:     Ricarda Steinbrecher and Angelika Hilbeck – ENSSER Board members
Registration:   https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-lSMU7n-SEKB4LTvclr0Kw

In May this year, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) met in Nairobi for their 26th meeting of the SBSTTA (Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice) from 13-18 May and following that, the 4th SBI (Subsidiary Body on Implementation of the Convention) from 21-29 May. ENSSER board members Ricarda Steinbrecher and Angelika Hilbeck participated in both meetings and will report in this webinar about the most disputed issues of the SBSTTA negotiations.

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Predicted multispecies unintended effects from outdoor genome editing

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By Aline Martins Hoepers, Jack A. Heinemann, Caroline Bedin Zanatta, Philomena Chu, Tessa C. Hiscox, Sarah Zanon Agapito-Tenfen Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Volume 282, 1 September 2024, 116707 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116707 Abstract CRISPR/Cas9, a potent genetic engineering tool widely adopted in agriculture, is capable of introducing new characteristics into plants on a large scale and without conventional … Read more

Existing and emerging mRNA vaccines and their environmental impact: a transdisciplinary assessment

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By Siguna Mueller Environmental Sciences Europe volume 36, Article number: 144 (2024) Abstract mRNA vaccines have played a massive role during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now being developed for numerous other human and animal applications. Nevertheless, their potential ramifications on the environment lack scrutiny and regulation. On 14 July 2020, the EU decided to temporarily exclude the … Read more

Conference 26th June 2024: Farming without harming: policy action for resilient agriculture

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Hosted by Pesticide Action Network Europe, Friends of the Earth Europe, The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility and Agroecology Europe Where: Multiburo EU Parliament (Square de Meeûs 38-40, 1000 Brussels) and Online When: 26th June 2024, 14:00-17:00 CET Language: English Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1rFGe8L87VzEXm0AcX7k1wFo9ry95Kym_t5JcVOIBnwk/viewform?edit_requested=true   Pesticide Action Network Europe, Friends of the Earth Europe, The European Network of Scientists for Social and … Read more

Genetic Engineering, Nature Conservation, and Animal Ethics – Why Genetically Modifying Wild Sentient Animals Is Not a Good Option

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Environmental Ethics ONLINE FIRST published on May 3, 2024 Leonie N. Bossert, Thomas Potthast https://doi.org/10.5840/enviroethics202442674 Summary: The use of genetic engineering is increasingly discussed for nature conservation. At the same time, recent animal ethics approaches debate whether humans should genetically engineer wild animals to improve their welfare. This paper examines if obligations towards wild sentient … Read more

Der Schatz im Boden. In: Gen-ethischer Informationsdienst Nr. 267. Titelthema: Wassermangel in der Landwirtschaft.

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Von Dr. agr. Andrea Beste, Diplomgeografin, Agrarwissenschaftlerin und Bodenexpertin. Ackerböden stellen ein komplexes Ökosystem aus Pilzen, Pflanzen und Mikroorganismen dar. Eine ganzheitliche Betrachtungsweise hat eine Vielzahl von Ansätzen zum Schutz von Wasserressourcen hervorgebracht. Insbesondere naturbasierte Lösungen haben sich als hilfreiche Strategien für die Klimaanpassung erwiesen. Read the full article

Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Safener and Antimicrobial Additives in Isoxaflutole-Based Herbicide Formulations

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by Eszter Takács 1,*  Diána Lázár 2,3, Augustine Siakwa 1, Szandra Klátyik 1, Mária Mörtl 1, László Kocsányi 4, Attila Barócsi 4, Sándor Lenk 4, Edina Lengyel 2,5 and András Székács 1 1 Agro-Environmental Research Centre, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly u. 1., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary 2 … Read more

Pesticides in Formulations: New Revolutionary Findings

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by Gilles-Eric Seralini Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Environment and Faculty of Sciences, University of Caen Normandy, 14032 Caen, France Toxics 2024, 12(2), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12020151 Submission received: 22 January 2024 / Accepted: 1 February 2024 / Published: 15 February 2024 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Pesticides in Formulations: Toxicological and Regulatory Assessments, … Read more

WE WERE AWARE OF THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND WE WERE WHISTLING NONCHALANTLY….

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By Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati Emeritus Professor of Environmental Pathological Anatomy, UoA Secretary of BOD, Mariolopoulos-Kananginis Foundation for Environmental Sciences Chairperson of ENSSER It is a fact that today, more than ever, our planet is experiencing dramatic changes like the ones that not only we but also other countries of the Mediterranean have experienced recently. We are … Read more

Press Release: Glyphosate: EU neglects obvious precautionary duty to ban it, scientists say

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Glyphosate: EU neglects obvious precautionary duty to ban it, scientists say   While the EU hesitates about yet another re-authorisation of glyphosate, the science is quite clear enough for this decision, according to the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER). The herbicide ingredient can give rise to toxic effects and serious … Read more

Glyphosate: EU pesticide approval system fails to identify full impact, to the detriment of people and the environment

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Glyphosate: EU pesticide approval system fails to identify full impact, to the detriment of people and the environment EU must respect Precautionary Principle and withdraw glyphosate’s authorisation   The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) has serious reservations about the position of “no critical areas of concern” adopted by the European … Read more

ENSSER-Stellungnahme: Der Vorschlag der EU-Kommission zu neuen GV-Pflanzen ist unwissenschaftlich und verschleiert deren Risiken

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ENSSER-Stellungnahme: Der Vorschlag der EU-Kommission zu neuen GV-Pflanzen ist unwissenschaftlich und verschleiert deren Risiken Read the statement in English 19. Oktober 2023 Der Vorschlag der Europäischen Kommission, die meisten “neuen” gentechnisch veränderten Pflanzen von der Regulierung auszunehmen, muss vollständig zurückgewiesen werden. Er steht im Widerspruch zu grundlegenden wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen. Er gefährdet die Bevölkerung und die … Read more

Recombination between coronaviruses and synthetic RNAs and biorisk implications motivated by a SARS-CoV-2 FCS origin controversy

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By Siguna Müller The urgent need for improved policy, regulation, and oversight of research with potential pandemic pathogens (PPPs) has been widely acknowledged. A 2022 article in Frontiers in Virology raises questions, reporting on a 100% sequence homology between the SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site (FCS) and the negative strand of a 2017 patented sequence. Even … Read more

Statement: EU Commission’s proposal on new GM plants: no science, no safety

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Read the statement in German The European Commission’s proposal to exempt most ‘new’ genetically modified (GM) plants from regulation must be rejected as a whole. It is in conflict with science. It puts the population and the environment at risk without informing citizens by labelling and allowing them to make autonomous decisions. It prevents scientists … Read more

New GM plants: EU Commission has lost science and safety from sight

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Press release 19 October 2023 The European Commission’s proposal to exempt most ‘new’ genetically modified (GM) plants from regulation lacks scientific basis, scientists of the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) point out. The proposal will expose citizens and the environment to potentially unsafe food, feed and plants without informing the … Read more

New Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs):Towards a “scientific precautionary principle”

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By Giuseppe Longo Abstract: New Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Towards a “scientific precautionary principle”Giuseppe Longoa*a Centre Cavaillès, CNRS and Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France*Corresponding author: Giuseppe Longo, Email: AbstractTo the ordinary precautionary principle, we should add a more precise “scientific precautionary principle”. In short, we cannot act on nature based on ‘dogmas’ that are … Read more

Buchvorstellung: 20 Jahre Whistleblower-Preis. Was wurde aus den Preisträger:innen und ihren Enthüllungen?

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Seit 1999 haben IALANA und VDW jeweils alle zwei Jahre herausragende Whistleblower:innen mit dem Whistleblower-Preis geehrt. Dadurch sollte ihnen öffentlich Anerkennung für ihr mutiges Handeln ausgesprochen und gezeigt werden, dass die Gesellschaft auf Menschen wie sie angewiesen ist, um geheim gehaltene Fehlentwicklungen und Missstände zu erkennen und um deren Behebung einzufordern oder anzugehen. Geehrt wurden … Read more

Agricultural GMOs and their associated pesticides: misinformation, science, and evidence

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By Michael N. Antoniou, Claire Robinson, Irina Castro & Angelika Hilbeck Published in: Environmental Sciences Europe volume 35, Article number: 76 (2023) Abstract Misinformation has always existed, but it became a major preoccupation during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its ability to affect public health choices, decisions, and policy. In their article, “Misinformation in the … Read more

Terrestrial ecotoxicity of glyphosate, its formulations, and co-formulants: evidence from 2010–2023

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By Szandra Klátyik, Gergely Simon, Marianna Oláh, Robin Mesnage, Michael N. Antoniou, Johann G. Zaller & András Székács Environmental Sciences Europe volume 35, Article number: 51 (2023) https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-023-00758-9   Abstract Glyphosate (GLY), the most widely used herbicide in the world, is frequently detected in various environmental matrices, including soil, the foundation of agriculture. In practice, … Read more

The human gut fungiome: Role in physiology and detoxification

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By Gilles-Eric Seralini DOI: https://doi.org/10.17352/jfsnt.000041 Abstract The intestinal microbiota is an ecosystem where bacteria, archaea, viruses, and protists, are entangled, but not alone. We take microbiota as the bacterial community because, in many historical papers, the probes to detect other organisms in the intestine were rarely used. But in addition, unicellular fungi or yeasts do … Read more

Reducing overall herbicide use may reduce risks to humans but increase toxic loads to honeybees, earthworms and birds

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Abstract Background Pesticide use has been associated with risks for human health and an overall decline in biodiversity. Although herbicides are the most commonly used pesticides worldwide, they have received less attention in this debate. We investigated the extent to which long-term trends in herbicide use in Austria influence potential toxic exposures to non-target organisms … Read more

Pesticide Use and Associated Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Sugar Beet, Apples, and Viticulture in Austria from 2000 to 2019

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Abstract The production of synthetic pesticides is energy intensive and can emit even more greenhouse gases (GHG) per kg than the production of synthetic fertilizers. However, this aspect is largely neglected when it comes to agriculture’s contribution to GHG emissions. Using official pesticide sales data from Austria from 2000 to 2019, we analyzed (i) trends … Read more

Pesticide drift mitigation measures appear to reduce contamination of non-agricultural areas, but hazards to humans and the environment remain

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Abstract Pesticide drift onto non-agricultural land is a common problem in intensively farmed regions, and national action plans have been established across Europe to prevent it. Here, we analyzed official data on pesticide residues in grass samples collected over six years to determine whether implemented measures to reduce pesticide drift were effective. We used 306 … Read more

Unexpected air pollutants with potential human health hazards: Nitrification inhibitors, biocides, and persistent organic substances

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Abstract To better understand the influence of land use and meteorological parameters on air pollutants, we deployed passive air samplers in 15 regions with different land use in eastern Austria. The samplers consisted of polyurethane PUF and polyester PEF filter matrices, which were analyzed for 566 substances by gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry. In a previous article, we highlighted … Read more

Glyphosate Effects on Earthworms: Active Ingredients vs. Commercial Herbicides at Different Temperature and Soil Organic Matter Levels

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Abstract Little is known about the non-target effects of glyphosate active ingredients (GLY) versus glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) formulations on soil organisms, and whether effects are influenced by environmental conditions. We investigated the avoidance behavior, biomass growth, and reproduction of earthworms (Eisenia fetida, E. andrei) in response to two GLYs (glyphosate ammonium and potassium salt), the … Read more

Potential to reduce pesticides in intensive apple production through management practices could be challenged by climatic extremes

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Abstract Apples are the third most produced fruit in the world, but their production is often pesticide-intensive. Our objective was to identify options for pesticide reduction using farmer records from 2549 commercial apple fields in Austria during five years between 2010 and 2016. Using generalized additive mixed modeling, we examined how pesticide use was related … Read more

Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Formulations with Greater Impact on Earthworms and Water Infiltration than Pure Glyphosate

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Abstract Glyphosate is the most widely used active ingredient (AI) in thousands of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) worldwide. Short-term impacts of AIs or GBHs on earthworms are well known, but few studies have examined long-term legacy effects >3 months after application. In a pot experiment, we studied both short-term and long-term effects on deep burrowing earthworms … Read more

Nouveaux OGM : pour un « principe de précaution scientifique »

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by Giuseppe Longo https://blogs.mediapart.fr/les-amis-de-la-generation-thunberg/blog/310723/nouveaux-ogm-pour-un-principe-de-precaution-scientifique Au principe de précaution, nous devrions ajouter un « principe de précaution scientifique ». Bref, que l’on ne peut pas agir sur la nature sur la base de principes qui sont manifestement faux. La science est l’invention de cadres théoriques nouveaux, à partir d’un recul critique quant aux principes mobilisés et … Read more

Recombination between coronaviruses and synthetic RNAs and biorisk implications motivated by a SARS-CoV-2 FCS origin controversy

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by Siguna Müller HYPOTHESIS AND THEORY article Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 04 August 2023 Sec. Biosafety and Biosecurity Volume 11 – 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1209054 Read and Download the full article here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1209054/full The urgent need for improved policy, regulation, and oversight of research with potential pandemic pathogens (PPPs) has been widely acknowledged. A 2022 article in … Read more

Analysis statement by ENSSER on the EU Commission’s new GM proposal. Here for Annex 1 on NGT “equivalence criteria”

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Analysis statement by ENSSER (European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility) on the EU Commission’s new GM proposal Here for Annex 1 on NGT “equivalence criteria” The EU Commission’s proposal is scientifically unacceptable, removes the provisions of the precautionary principle and puts the public and environment at risk. Critical scientific expertise and its … Read more

Conference Documentation “The Integrity of Science”, Edinburgh, 26-27 May 2023

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The Integrity of Science A conference about the conflict between public policy and independent science, in honour of Dr. Árpád Pusztai (1930 – 2021)   Documentation   Day 1: A memorial to Dr. Árpád Pusztai Friday, 26 May 2023 Opening (ppt / video) Prof. P. Nicolopoulou-Stamati, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, … Read more

Video of Book Presentation: Challenges and Opportunities of mRNA Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 A Multidisciplinary Perspective

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  ENSSER organized the book presentation of Siguna Mueller, Challenges and Opportunities of mRNA Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 – A Multidisciplinary Perspective published by Springer, 2023, 439 p., 61 illus.(https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-18903-6) on  Friday 9 June 2023. Speakers: Siguna Mueller, Independent transdisciplinary researcher (Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, Habilitation in Cryptography/Data Security, Ph.D. in Mathematics, M.Sc. in Mathematics/Statistics) Polyxeni … Read more

Challenges and Opportunities of mRNA Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 – A Multidisciplinary Perspective

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By Siguna Müller https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-18903-6 The book: Analyzes the the risks and benefits of mass vaccination with mRNA vaccines Covers the most recent scientific data on Covid-19 mRNA vaccines Offers a broad multidisciplinary look at mRNA vaccines The book was presented in a webinar on 9 June 2023. Speakers included: Siguna Mueller, Independent transdisciplinary researcher (Ph.D. … Read more

Book: Le cauchemar de Prométhée. Les sciences et leurs limites

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G. Longo, Le cauchemar de Prométhée. Les sciences et leurs limites. Préface de Jean Lassègue, postface d’Alain Supiot. PUF, Paris, 2023. Dans la mythologie grecque, Prométhée – le «prévoyant» –  déroba le feu aux dieux et le transmit aux hommes. Zeus, courroucé par ce transfert technologique, condamna Prométhée à un châtiment itéré à l’identique, à … Read more

BOOK PRESENTATION: Challenges and Opportunities of mRNA Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 A Multidisciplinary Perspective

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*** Video of book presentation online *** BOOK PRESENTATION   Siguna Mueller Challenges and Opportunities of mRNA Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 A Multidisciplinary Perspective   Published by Springer, 2023, 439 p., 61 illus. See https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-18903-6 and attached flyer Analyzes the risks and benefits of mass vaccination with mRNA vaccines Covers the most recent scientific data on … Read more

Final Programme: The Integrity of Science

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4th and final announcement – including programme and abstracts The integrity of science A conference about the conflict between public policy and independent science, in honour of Dr. Árpád Pusztai (1930 – 2021)   Edinburgh (UK), 26 – 27 May 2023 open to both on site and online participation Followed by the Annual General Meeting … Read more

Programme: The Integrity of Science

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Third announcement – including programme and abstracts   The integrity of science A conference about the conflict between public policy and independent science, in honour of Dr. Árpád Pusztai (1930 – 2021) Edinburgh (UK), 26 – 27 May 2023 open to both on site and online participation   Followed by the Annual General Meeting of … Read more

Abstracts: The Integrity of Science

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The integrity of science A conference about the conflict between public policy and independent science, in honour of Dr. Árpád Pusztai (1930 – 2021) Edinburgh (UK), 26 – 27 May 2023   ABSTRACTS OF LECTURES TO BE DELIVERED (Programme: see third announcement)   Friday, 26 May 2023 Difficult days in the Pathology Department: Exciting collaboration … Read more

Blue Planet Law – The Ecology of our Economic and Technological World

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By Maria da Glória Garcia, Margarida Silva https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-24888-7 This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access Promotes a future-oriented approach to Global Environmental Sustainability Delivers a sophisticated interdisciplinary approach to the law of our fragile Blue Planet Offers legal perspectives for the Anthropocene Download the book here: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-031-24888-7.pdf?pdf=button Please … Read more

Genotoxicity Assays Published since 2016 Shed New Light on the Oncogenic Potential of Glyphosate-Based Herbicides

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By Charles Benbrook, Robin Mesnage and William Sawyer Agrochemicals 2023, 2(1), 47-68 https://www.mdpi.com/2813-3145/2/1/5 Abstract: Controversy over the oncogenicity of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) persists seven years after a 2015 IARC Monograph classified glyphosate/GBHs as “probably carcinogenic” to humans. Most regulatory authorities have concluded that technical glyphosate poses little or no oncogenic risk via dietary exposure. The … Read more

Integration of omics analyses into GMO risk assessment in Europe: a case study from soybean field trials

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By Rafael Fonseca Benevenuto, Caroline Bedin Zanatta, Friedrich Waßmann, Michael F. Eckerstorfer & Sarah Zanon Agapito-Tenfen Environmental Sciences Europe volume 35, Article number: 14 (2023) https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-023-00715-6 Abstract In Europe, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are subject to an authorization process including a mandatory risk assessment. According to the respective guidance by the European Food Safety Authority … Read more

Report: The use of genetic engineering in agriculture requires a comprehensive technology assessment

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New Testbiotech report 22 March 2023 / The introduction of transgenic plants into agriculture around 30 years ago was accompanied by many promises of benefits and high expectations, most of which have either not or only partially been realised. At the same time, there have been hardly any systematic or independent studies to objectively assess … Read more

Book “Beyond Climate Fixes: From Public Controversy to System Change”

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Political elites have been evading the causes of climate change through deceptive fixes. Their market-type instruments such as carbon trading aim to incentivise technological innovation which will supposedly decarbonize or replace dominant high-carbon systems. In practice this techno-market framework has perpetuated climate change and social injustices, thus provoking public controversy. Using this opportunity, social movements have counterposed low-carbon, resource-light, … Read more

Film Premiere with discussion: The Last Seed

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A documentary feature film on the struggle for the control of seeds in Africa Film in English with German subtitles https://www.thelastseed.org/ Film premiere of The Last Seed followed by a discussion and reception The film premiere will be followed by a discussion and reception with the following guests– “- Daniela Trochowski, Executive Director of the … Read more

2nd announcement: The Integrity of Science

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Second announcement – registration now open The integrity of science A conference about the conflict between public policy and independent science, in honour of Dr. Árpád Pusztai (1930 – 2021) Edinburgh (UK), 26 – 27 May 2023 open to both on site and online participation   Followed by the Annual General Meeting of ENSSER, 28 … Read more

Registration: Integrity of Science, 26/28 May, Edinburgh

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The Integrity of Science A conference about the conflict between public policy and independent science, in honour of Dr. Árpád Pusztai (1930 – 2021) Edinburgh (UK), 26 – 27 May 2023   The conference will be in two parts: Day one (26 May 2023) will honour Dr Árpád Pusztai (who passed away in 2021) and … Read more

Toxicological Comparison of Pesticide Active Substances Approved for Conventional vs. Organic Agriculture in Europe

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By Helmut Burtscher-Schaden, Thomas Durstberger, Johann G. Zaller Published in Toxics 2022, 10(12), 753; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120753 Published: 2 December 2022 (This article belongs to the Section Agrochemicals and Food Toxicology) Abstract There is much debate about whether the (mostly synthetic) pesticide active substances (AS) in conventional agriculture have different non-target effects than the natural AS in … Read more

Are null segregants new combinations of heritable material and should they be regulated?

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By Jack A. Heinemann, Katrin Clark, Tessa C. Hiscox, Andrew W. McCabe, Sarah Z. Agapito-Tenfen Published in Front. Genome Ed., 10 January 2023 Sec. Genome Editing in Plants Volume 4 – 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fgeed.2022.1064103 Through genome editing and other techniques of gene technology, it is possible to create a class of organism called null segregants. … Read more

A Roundup herbicide causes high mortality and impairs development of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

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By Nicolas Defarge, Mathias Otto, Angelika Hilbeck Published in Science of The Total Environment Volume 865, 20 March 2023, 161158 Available online 23 December 2022 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161158 Abstract Glyphosate has and is being used extensively in herbicide formulations worldwide. Thus, glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) substantially add to the environmental load of pesticides and warrant a strict risk … Read more

Reasons for Reinforcing the Regulation of Chemicals in Europe

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By Erik Millstone and Peter Clausing European Journal of Risk Regulation (2023), 1–15 doi:10.1017/err.2022.41 Abstract The European Commission’s 2020 draft Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability set the ambitious goal of achieving a “Toxic-Free Environment”. Those ambitions were harshly criticised by a team based in Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (or BfR); they claimed that toxicological … Read more

ENSSER position statement on CRISPR/Cas gene editing

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7 February 2023 Since the hype around gene editing, and in particular CRISPR/Cas, continues to produce misunderstandings and distorted ideas about its power and utility, ENSSER has written a position statement on CRISPR/Cas. This technology is no more and no less than a method of targeting a genetic modification to a predetermined location in the … Read more

Rethinking the drivers of biotechnologies: a paradigm for holistic climate change solutions

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By Jack A. Heinemann and Tessa C. Hiscox Published in Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, Volume 59, December 2022, 101222 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2022.101222   Abstract Humanity is under pressure to identify sustainable climate change mitigation strategies that also progress developmental and environmental goals. Urgency creates greater risk of superficial actions that could accelerate climate change. We use … Read more

Petroleum in Pesticides: A Need to Change Regulatory Toxicology

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By Gérald Jungers, Florence Portet-Koltalo, Julie Cosme and Gilles-Eric Seralini Toxics 2022, 10(11), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10110670 Received: 16 September 2022 / Revised: 28 October 2022 / Accepted: 30 October 2022 / Published: 6 November 2022   Abstract Toxicological investigations of pesticides largely focus on the declared active ingredient, which constitutes only between a few percent to … Read more

1st Announcement: The Integrity of Science

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Second announcement available here   The Integrity of Science A conference about the conflict between public policy and independent science, in honour of Dr. Árpád Pusztai (1930 – 2021) Edinburgh (UK), 26 – 27 May 2023 open to both on site and online participation   Organised by European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental … Read more

The Land Gap Report: In Response to Climate Change, Governments are Relying on Land for Carbon Dioxide Removal

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On November 3, “The Land Gap Report” was released in the context of COP27 climate change negotiations. Around 20 scholars from various countries and backgrounds contributed to the different chapters, and the foreword was written by Michael Fakhri, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food. The report’s key findings are: * The total … Read more

Invitation: Intersecting paths across mathematics, biology, and epistemology

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Intersecting paths across mathematics, biology, and epistemology A colloquium in honor of Giuseppe Longo and Ana Soto ENS Paris and online, 21-22 October 2022 Organizers: Maël Montévil, Barbara Bravi and José Antonio Pérez Escobar   In this colloquium, we celebrate the 75th birthdays of Giuseppe Longo and Ana Soto. We have chosen to show their … Read more

PRESS RELEASE: New GMOs: European Commission is blind to its own bias

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The European Commission has held a severely biased public consultation about deregulating new genomic techniques (NGTs). This is the essence of a letter (1) sent by ENSSER and 39 non-governmental organisations to Commissioner Kyriakides today. In the consultation, European citizens were asked for their opinions about the question if the new techniques should be exempted … Read more

OpEd: “Human Rights Hold the Key to Protecting Biodiversity”

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As governments seek an agreement on a global plan to halt the rapid loss of the world’s biodiversity, indigenous peoples’, smallholder farmers’, and other agroecological communities’ rights are being sidelined. Yet it is precisely these groups who know how to preserve our precious natural systems. Read the OpEd by Sofia Monsalve and Georgina Catacora-Vargas here: … Read more

Greenwashing & high tech! FAKING IT: (UN-)SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR AGRICULTURE

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By Andrea Beste Commissioned by Martin Häusling, MEP (The Greens/ EFA)   Introduction Even though it has been clear for many years that conventional agricultural systems in Europe are unsustainable and need to be fundamentally changed1, time and again attempts are made to promote techniques or products addressing only parts of the system as the … Read more

Technical Report on EU “Cybersecurity Research and Innovation Needs and Priorities”

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The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, ENISA, has published a report on “Cybersecurity Research and Innovation Needs and Priorities”. It discusses the challenges and perspectives for research and innovation in four cybersecurity fields: hyperconnected world, intelligent systems, cybersecurity in life sciences (biotechnology), and computational security. The chapter on cybersecurity in the life sciences (chapter 5) … Read more

Cytotoxic effects of Roundup Classic and its components on NE-4C and MC3T3-E1 cell lines determined by biochemical and flow cytometric assays

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By Marianna Oláh, Eniko Farkas, Inna Székács, Robert Horvath, András Székács   Abstract: Cytotoxic effects of the market leading broad-spectrum, synthetic herbicide product Roundup Classic, its active ingredient glyphosate (in a form of its isopropylamine (IPA) salt) and its formulating surfactant polyethoxylated tallowamine (POE-15) were determined on two murine cell lines, a neuroectodermal stem cell-like … Read more

Invitation Conférences : « Pandémie, science et démocratie »

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Conférences « Pandémie, science et démocratie » 18 juin 2022 15h-19h https://republique-des-savoirs.fr/events/event/conferences-pandemie-science-et-democratie/   Organisée par : Giuseppe Longo (Centre Cavaillès/République des savoirs/CNRS) Séance introduite et animée par Caroline Petit (Centre Cavaillès/République des savoirs/CNRS) Programme : Barbara Stiegler, Professeur de philosophie politique, Université Bordeaux Montaigne « Sida / Covid et les 20 ans de la démocratie … Read more

Down to earth – why soils play a key role in ecosystem-based adaptation

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Authors: Dr. Andrea Beste (Büro für Bodenschutz & Ökologische Agrarkultur), Neomi Lorentz There is an unprecedented interest in nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation. But something very important is often missing from discussions of such solutions: the role of healthy soils. As habitats for plants and animals, as regulators of climate and water, … Read more

Veranstaltungseinladung: Sind wir noch zu retten? – Was können Wissenschaft und Zivilgesellschaft gemeinsam zum Gesellschaftswandel beitragen? oder Über die Kunst, auf Umwegen schneller ans Ziel zu gelangen als auf direktem Wege

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“Sind wir noch zu retten? – Was können Wissenschaft und Zivilgesellschaft gemeinsam zum Gesellschaftswandel beitragen? oder Über die Kunst, auf Umwegen schneller ans Ziel zu gelangen als auf direktem Wege“   kubus – Wissenschaftsladen der TU Berlin und ENSSER – The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility laden ein zum Dialog: WO: … Read more

Tensions between Natural and Utility Purpose of Farm Animals and Crop Plants

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Struik, P.C.; Bos, A.; van Mansvelt, J.D.; Sprangers, D.; Zoeteman, K. Handling Tensions between Natural and Utility Purpose of Farm Animals and Crop Plants. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041019 Abstract We analyze the extent to which humans respect farm animals and crop plants and whether humans provide them adequate care. Concerns are justified, since many … Read more

Changing Ground: Handling Tensions between Production Ethics and Environmental Ethics of Agricultural Soils

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van Mansvelt, J.D.; Struik, P.C.; Bos, A.; Daub, W.; Sprangers, D.; van den Berg, M.; Vingerhoets, M.; Zoeteman, K. Changing Ground: Handling Tensions between Production Ethics and Environmental Ethics of Agricultural Soils. Sustainability 2021, 13, 13291. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313291 Abstract Soils are an essential element in sustainable food systems and vital for ecosystem services. Soils are degrading, … Read more

Matematica e senso – Per non divenire macchine

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By Giuseppe Longo In un mondo imbevuto di tecnologia e di scienza come quello in cui ci troviamo, la matematica è considerata la conoscenza per eccellenza di ciò che è astratto, oggettivo e vero: perno su cui basare ogni sapere e tribunale per distinguere l’utile dall’inutile, il reale dall’illusorio. Tuttavia, la matematica non è la … Read more

France – portrait of an agriculture in transition

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The French Council Presidency has made so-called “carbon farming” a priority. In the podcast, Dr. Andrea Beste talks about what to make of this and whether it has any effect on the climate in arable farming. From minute 8 in English https://soundcloud.com/foodforeurope/12-france-portrait-of-an-agriculture-in-transition Die französische Ratspräsidentschaft hat das sogenannte “carbon farming” zu einem Schwerpunkt gemacht. Was … Read more

The pandemic and the « techno-fix »

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Abstract: The current pandemic was an announced possibility. Its possible causes were known: destroyed ecosystem niches, declining biological diversity, intensive farming, abuse of genetic and biologic manipulations. This paper deals with some aspects of the biological (and social) history of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic but also with the history of previous epidemics, including the AIDS … Read more

ENSSER’s Response to the Inception Impact Assessment (IAA) on new Genomic Techniques

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ENSSER regards this current Commission initiative as ill-advised and scientifically ill-founded. The IAA provides no clarity as to what is planned or how to achieve it. It however states what the Commission does not want, namely to regulate GM plants (and foods) derived by genome editing or cisgenesis as GMOs. It does so on grounds … Read more

Invitation: WHAT CAUSES WHAT IN LIFE? Explaining today’s major challenges – A public conference about the riddles of cause and effect”

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WHAT CAUSES WHAT IN LIFE? Explaining today’s major challenges A public conference about the riddles of cause and effect Friday 26 and Saturday 27 November 2021 Bern, Switzerland Both on site and online Organized by   Please accept YouTube cookies to play this video. By accepting you will be accessing content from YouTube, a service … Read more

INVITATION to conference: Context, Causality and Consequences: from robust evidence to timely action in biology, ecology, law and public policy

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“Context, Causality and Consequences: from robust evidence to timely action in biology, ecology, law and public policy”   A public conference Friday 26 and Saturday 27 November 2021 Registration online: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X9hhCNv9QLCFACw8-QiGGA Registration onsite: Please contact us at to see if onsite participation is still available   Organized by European Network of Scientists for Social … Read more

Book Review: Programming Evolution: A Crack in Science

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Giuseppe Longo reviews the book “A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution” by Nobel Prize winner, Jennifer Doudna, and Samuel Sternberg Abstract: Nobel Prize winner, Jennifer Doudna, and Samuel Sternberg survey recent advances in a pioneering area of molecular biology. In an accessible and elegant style, the authors present … Read more

Webinars on Report: Genetically Engineered Gene Drives: IUCN report on Synthetic Biology lacks balance

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Webinars to introduce and discuss: A critique of the IUCN report ‘Genetic Frontiers for Conservation: An assessment of synthetic biology and biodiversity conservation’ – with regards to its assessment of gene drives May 2021 Authors: Mark Wells, PhD & Ricarda Steinbrecher, PhD Editor: Holly Dressel Published by: Critical Scientists Switzerland (CSS) European Network of Scientists … Read more

Rarely Recognized Antibody Diversification in Covid-19 Evolution to Counteract Advanced SARS-CoV-2 Evasion Strategies, and Implications for Prophylactic Treatment

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By Siguna Müller Front. Physiol., 03 August 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.624675 The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic underscores the importance of finding effective and safe ways to combat the virus, and to optimally understand the immune response elicited upon natural infection. This likely involves all components of the immune system, both innate and adaptive. The impetus for the … Read more

Report: Genetically Engineered Gene Drives: IUCN report on Synthetic Biology lacks balance

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A critique of the IUCN report ‘Genetic Frontiers for Conservation: An assessment of synthetic biology and biodiversity conservation’ – with regards to its assessment of gene drives May 2021 Authors: Mark Wells, PhD & Ricarda Steinbrecher, PhD Editor: Holly Dressel Published by: Critical Scientists Switzerland (CSS) European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility … Read more

Herbicides: Chemistry, Efficacy, Toxicology, and Environmental Impacts

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The book Herbicides: Chemistry, Efficacy, Toxicology, and Environmental Impacts addresses contemporary debates on herbicide toxicology. Edited by Robin Mesnage and Johann Zaller and including contributions from Michael Antoniou, Nicolas de Sadeleer and András Székács, a strength of this book is its multidisciplinarity. Internationally recognized experts in different domains (toxicology, ecosystem health, agriculture, chemistry, regulation and … Read more

Open letter in support of Prof. Dr. Larissa Bombardi

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The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER), the undersigned, would like to publicly express its support to Professor Dr. Larissa Bombardi who is experiencing a series of threats and attacks as a result of her research, to such an extent that she had to leave her home and working country, Brazil. … Read more

The post-market environmental monitoring of GM maize in the EU has a limited capacity to identify adverse effects

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Abstract The EU legislation requests post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) of a genetically modified (GM) organism even if its pre-market risk assessment indicated negligible risks. It has been claimed that the monitoring of the only currently commercially cultivated GM plant in the EU, Bt MON810 maize, has not revealed any adverse effects. However, the implementation of … Read more

In-depth comparative toxicogenomics of glyphosate and Roundup herbicides: histopathology, transcriptome and epigenome signatures, and DNA damage

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By Robin Mesnage, Mariam Ibragim, Daniele Mandrioli, Laura Falcioni, Fiorella Belpoggi, Inger Brandsma, Emma Bourne, Emanuel Savage, Charles A Mein, Michael N Antoniou doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.12.439463 Conclusions Taken together, the results of our study show that Roundup herbicides are more toxic than glyphosate, activating mechanisms involved in cellular carcinogenesis and causing gene expression changes reflecting DNA … Read more

Press Release: A distortion of science and a danger to public and environmental safety

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Press Release A distortion of science and a danger to public and environmental safety 26 April 2021   The EASAC-endorsed Leopoldina Statement, demanding that the EU stops regulating ‘genome-edited’ plants, represents the narrow interests of ‘genome editors’ but it does not demonstrate the scientific objectivity or balance required, nor does it represent any consensus in … Read more

A Soil Scientist’s Perspective – Carbon Farming, CO2 Certification & Carbon Sequestration in Soil

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By Andrea Beste In 2018, the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation (LULUCF) [1] was adopted. Its commitments are to be included in the new EU energy and climate policy framework for the period of 2021 – 2030. The expectation is that this will contribute to the EU target of reducing greenhouse gas … Read more

Precision Farming – or “The Emperor’s New Clothes”?

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By Andrea Beste For some years now, it has been loudly and frequently advertised. In fact, it iseven recommended by the EU Commission as an eco-scheme measure – alongside practices like agroforestry and agroecology – to be funded from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) pot. So what is it? Why its  precision farming. Read the … Read more

19 April: Science in the storm: GMOs, agnotology, theory

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An open conversation led by Maël Montévil (theoretical biologist, IRI et IHPST, Université Paris I) and Victor Chaix (AAGT-AI). with Prof. Ignacio Chapela (microbial ecologist and mycologist, University of California, Berkeley) Dr. Angelika Hilbeck (agricultural ecologist, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH, Zuerich) Prof. Giuseppe Longo (mathematician and epistemologist, CNRS-Ecole normale supérieure, Paris) Introduction Private … Read more

Trans-disciplinary diagnosis for an in-depth reform of regulatory expertise in the field of environmental toxicology and security

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By: Joël Spiroux de Vendômois, Jean-Paul Bourdineaud, Arnaud Apoteker, Nicolas Defarge, Emilie Gaillard, Corinne Lepage, Jacques Testart & Christian Vélot Published in: Toxicological Research (2021) Abstract: Repeated health and environmental scandals, the loss of biodiversity and the recent burst of chronic diseases constantly remind us the inability of public authorities and risk assessment agencies to … Read more

Improved strategies to counter the COVID-19 pandemic: Lockdowns vs. primary and community healthcare

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COVID-19 pandemic mitigation strategies are mainly based on social distancing measures and healthcare system reinforcement. However, many countries in Europe and elsewhere implemented strict, horizontal lockdowns because of extensive viral spread in the community which challenges the capacity of the healthcare systems. However, strict lockdowns have various untintended adverse social, economic and health effects, which … Read more

Groundbreaking Glyphosate-Microbiome Study

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Glyphosate and the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup disrupt the gut microbiome by the same mechanism by which the chemical acts as a weedkiller, and these effects happen even at low doses that regulators claim to be safe, a newly published study has found. The new study was conducted by an international team of scientists based in … Read more

Book publication: Herbicides: Chemistry, Efficacy, Toxicology, and Environmental Impacts

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ENSSER members Robin Mesnage, András Székács, Michael Antoniou and Nicolas de Sadeleer have contributed to this book: Herbicides: Chemistry, Efficacy, Toxicology, and Environmental Impacts addresses contemporary debates on herbicide toxicology. The reader is offered a comprehensive overview of this complex topic, presented by internationally recognized experts. Information presented will inform discussions on the use of … Read more

Facing the 2020 pandemic: What does cyberbiosecurity want us to know to safeguard the future?

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by Siguna Müller published in Elsevier’s Biosecurity and Health: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bsheal.2020.09.007   Abstract As the entire world is under the grip of the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19), and as many are eagerly trying to explain the origins of the virus and cause of the pandemic, it is imperative to place more attention on related potential biosafety … Read more

Why did EFSA not reduce its ADI for aspartame or recommend its use should no longer be permitted?

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by Erik Paul Millstone and Elisabeth Dawson published in Archives of Public Health: https://archpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13690-020-00489-w Abstract On behalf of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Kass and Lodi recently published a letter purporting to ‘refute’ our July 2019 analysis of EFSA’s December 2013 assessment of the risks of aspartame. We had previously claimed inter alia that … Read more

IAASTD+10: ten years on from the largest agricultural assessment ever

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In 2009, ca. 400 authors contributed to the unique “International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development” (IAASTD). Now, a group of former authors and review editors of the IAASTD, including two ENSSER members, Jack Heinemann and Angelika Hilbeck, decided to commemorate this by discussing key issues in the area of global agricultural … Read more

Geocentrism vs genocentrism: theories without metaphors, metaphors without theories

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by Giuseppe Longo and Matteo Mossio Published in Interdisciplinary Science Reviews ABSTRACT Through the comparison between two major, long-lasting theoretical frameworks – geocentrism and genocentrism – we discuss the different epistemological role played by metaphors in physics and biology. Throughout its history, physics developed theories and mathematical formalisms, which either do not seem to rely … Read more

Much ado about nothing: Angelika Hilbeck interviewed on the promises of genome editing

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The German magazine Spektrum interviews ENSSER board member Angelika Hilbeck (in German) about the promises of genome editing for agriculture, under the title (translated) “This branch lives on making much ado about nothing”. The interview has also been translated into French and published by Les Amis de la Terre des Landes (Friends of the Earth).

Zoom Corona Round Table: SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: science in the spotlight

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SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: science in the spotlight An online public Round Table Tuesday 6 Oct. 2020, 13:30 – 17:30 CEST   The current pandemic and the socioeconomic measures to control it have created a lot of controversy. Governments claim that their control measures are based on science. Scientists are indeed making progress in understanding the … Read more

Forever a dream? Michael Dittmar interviewed on nuclear fusion

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The German newspaper die tageszeitung interviews ENSSER board member Michael Dittmar (in German) about nuclear fusion. The article, “Nuclear fusion energy: A dream forever?”, discusses Dittmar’s report on the subject for the German Green party. In his report, Dittmar concludes that it is very unlikely that nuclear fusion will become a useful energy source.   … Read more

Stacked genetically modified soybean harboring herbicide resistance and insecticide rCry1Ac shows strong defense and redox homeostasis disturbance after glyphosate-based herbicide application

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by Caroline Bedin Zanatta, Rafael Fonseca Benevenuto, Rubens Onofre Nodari & Sarah Zanon Agapito-Tenfen published in Environmental Sciences Europe volume 32, Article number: 104 (2020) View the full article and download the pdf   Abstract Background World agricultural production of genetically modified (GM) products, in particular, the combination of different traits/genes in the same plant has been a … Read more

Timing is everything: Survival of Atlantic salmon Salmo salarpostsmolts during events of high salmon lice densities

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by Thomas Bøhn| Karl Øystein Gjelland| Rosa M. Serra-Llinares| Bengt Finstad|Raul Primicerio| Rune Nilsen| Ørjan Karlsen| Anne D. Sandvik| Ove T. Skilbrei|Kristine Marit S. Elvik| Øystein Skaala| Pål A. Bjørn DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13612 Abstract 1. Atlantic salmon in aquaculture act as reservoir hosts and vectors of parasites like salmon lice and this parasite is shown to … Read more

Getting EU risk assessment for protecting environment and health to achieve its legal objectives. Escaping reductionist fallacies

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A series of three webinars organised by the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) Thursdays 17 and 24 September and 1 October 2020 16:00 – 17:30 Central European Summer Time   European regulatory systems are often portrayed as some of the best in the world in terms of stringency and precaution … Read more

Broadening the GMO risk assessment in the EU for genome editing technologies in agriculture

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By Katharina Kawall, Janet Cotter & Christoph Then Environmental Sciences Europe volume 32, Article number: 106 (2020)   Abstract Genome editing techniques, especially the CRISPR/Cas technology, increase the possibilities and the speed of altering genetic material in organisms. So-called genome editing is increasingly being used to achieve agriculturally relevant novel traits and/or genetic combinations in … Read more

Italian Documentary on the origins of SARS-CoV-2 with interview of molecular geneticist Dr Michael Antoniou

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Documentary by the Italian journalist Paolo Barnard with an interview with the molecular geneticist Dr Michael Antoniou about the possibility that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is a genetically engineered creation that escaped from a lab. The interview was published on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WQp2Aqr1ps The Q&A parts with Michael are in English and I’ve noted … Read more

Gene Drive Web-inar Series

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Videos are available online on https://genedrives.ch/webinar-genedrives/ Please accept YouTube cookies to play this video. By accepting you will be accessing content from YouTube, a service provided by an external third party. YouTube privacy policy If you accept this notice, your choice will be saved and the page will refresh. Accept YouTube Content The authors of … Read more

Confusing biological rhythms and physical clocks – Today’s ecological relevance of Bergson-Einstein debate on time

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Abstract The reflections on the nature of time in Relativity Theory will be hinted in reference to the new bridges recently proposed by Connes and by Rovelli’s “perspectival” approach, two major steps towards a unification of quantum, thermodynamical and relativistic times. The so called “time of philosophers”, a time of the cognizing ego, from Saint … Read more

Genetic engineering endangers the protection of species

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Genetic engineering endangers the protection of species Subtitle: Why the spread of genetically engineered organisms into natural populations has to be prevented Autor(s): Christoph Then This report is primarily concerned with the consequences of genetic engineering interventions into evolutionary processes. Leading scientists working in the field of ‘new’ genetic engineering are already talking about the … Read more

The Myth of Climate Smart Agriculture – Why Less Bad Isn’t Good

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At a time when rains fail and yields crash, not just climate compatible agriculture, but the climate adaptation of agricultural systems are more relevant than ever. The study “The myth of climate smart agriculture – why less bad isn’t good” discusses these topics. Has the impact of agriculture on climate change been accurately depicted so … Read more

New scientific study highlights non-monotonic dose-response curves and low-dose effects of bisphenol A

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Maël Montévil, Nicole Acevedo, Cheryl M. Schaeberle, Manushree Bharadwaj, Suzanne E. Fenton, and Ana M. Soto published a paper in the context of the Clarity BPA study that is significant for current debates on the regulation of endocrine disruptor, and that you might find of interrest. Study https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP6301 Press release https://www.env-health.org/new-scientific-study-highlights-non-monotonic-dose-response-curves-and-low-dose-effects-of-bisphenol-a/ Accompanying Q&A https://www.env-health.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/QA-A-combined-morphometric-and-statistical-approach-to-assess-non-monotonicity-in-the-developing-mammary-gland-of-rats-in-the-CLARITY-BPA-study.pdf

The Story behind COVID-19: Animal Diseases at the Crossroads of Wildlife, Livestock and Human Health

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Article on the impacts of viruses on wildlife, livestock and human health   Prof J Godfroid and Prof N de Sadeleer published an article (special issue on Covid in the European Journal of Risk Regulation) on the zoonotic origin of COVID-19 and, generally speaking, the impacts of viruses on wildlife, livestock and human health. This … Read more

GMO regulations and their interpretation: how EFSA’s guidance on risk assessments of GMOs is bound to fail

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The article “GMO regulations and their interpretation: how EFSA’s guidance on risk assessments of GMOs is bound to fail” by Angelika Hilbeck, Hartmut Meyer, Brian Wynne & Erik Millstone, published in Environmental Sciences Europe volume 32, Article number: 54 (2020) may be viewed here https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12302-020-00325-6 and downloaded here https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-020-00325-6.pdf

Spatio‐temporal controllability and environmental risk assessment of genetically engineered gene drive organisms from the perspective of EU GMO Regulation

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The article by Dr Christoph Then, Dr Katharina Kawall, and Dr Nina Valenzuelawas published on 6 April 2020 in the  journal Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management of the Society of Environmental Assessment and Management. Please find the abstract here: https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ieam.4278 Please find the article here: https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ieam.4278    

COVID-19 is an Environmental Crisis Too

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The environment has all but disappeared from political discourse as the world grapples with a pandemic. COVID-19 is seems to be our “payback” for the excesses of globalisation. Where international institutions, the United Nations, and the EU have failed, the COVID-19 Coronavirus has succeeded. Not so long ago and despite Greta Thunberg’s hopes, President Trump’s … Read more

Overview of genome editing applications using SDN-1 and SDN-2 in regard to EU regulatory issues

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Brochure by TestBiotech Authors: Katharina Kawall, Juliana Miyazaki, Andreas Bauer-Panskus, Christoph Then Overview of genome editing applications using SDN-1 and SDN-2 in regard to EU regulatory issues – New methods of genetic engineering (genome editing) and their potential impact on nature protection and the environment

Risk assessment of genetically engineered plants that can persist and propagate in the environment

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Risk assessment of genetically engineered plants that can persist and propagate in the environment. By Andreas Bauer-Panskus, Katharina Kawall, Juliana Miyazaki, Christoph Then AND: Rendering of the sustainable pulse. 

Documentary – Experts and Scientists about gene drive

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Gene drives are used to bypass the rules of inheritance in order to accelerate the spread of modified genes across wild populations. While normal genes have a 50% chance of being passed on to the next generation, gene drive elements change the odds dramatically in their favour. Gene drives can be used to manipulate or … Read more

Just published: GMOs and ROUNDUP: Similar long term toxicities due to glyphosate formulations

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JUST PUBLISHED – February 2020 ​VIENT DE PARAÎTRE – Février 2020 (in french below) GMOs AND ROUNDUP: SIMILAR LONG TERM TOXICITIES DUE TO GLYPHOSATE FORMULATIONS Glyphosate is associated with carcinogenic petroleum additives and heavy metals in pesticides (formulations, which are always mixtures). This penetrates and bioaccumulates in most edible agricultural GMOs, causing liver, kidney and hormonal damages, … Read more

Shotgun metagenomics and metabolomics reveal glyphosate alters the gut microbiome of Sprague-Dawley rats by inhibiting the shikimate pathway

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Robin Mesnage, Maxime Teixeira, Daniele Mandrioli, Laura Falcioni, Quinten Raymond Ducarmon, Romy Daniëlle Zwittink , Caroline Amiel, Jean-Michel Panoff, Fiorella Belpoggi , Michael N Antoniou https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/870105v1.full.pdf Abstract: There is intense debate as to whether glyphosate can interfere with aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in microorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract, which could potentially lead to negative health … Read more

The Introduction of Thousands of Tonnes of Glyphosate in the food Chain—An Evaluation of Glyphosate Tolerant Soybeans

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by Thomas Bøhn and Erik Millstone Foods 2019, 8(12), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods8120669 Abstract: Glyphosate-tolerant (GT) soybeans dominate the world soybean market. These plants have triggered increased use of, as well as increased residues of, glyphosate in soybean products. We present data that show farmers have doubled their glyphosate applications per season (from two to four) and … Read more

Insufficient risk assessment of herbicide-tolerant genetically engineered soybeans intended for import into the EU

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By: Juliana Miyazaki, Andreas Bauer-Panskus, Thomas Bøhn, Wolfram Reichenbecher & Christoph Then Published: Environmental Sciences Europe volume 31, Article number: 92 (2019) DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-019-0274-1   Abstract The introduction of herbicide-tolerant (HT) genetically engineered (GE) soybeans has raised new challenges for the European risk assessment of imported food and feed. Food and feed products derived from … Read more

Review: Limitations in the evidential basis supporting health benefits from a decreased exposure to pesticides through organic food consumption

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By Robin Mesnage, Ioannis N. Tsakiris, Michael N. Antoniou, Aristides Tsatsakis https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cotox.2019.11.003 Abstract Consumer demand for organic food is mostly based on the belief that organic products are healthier because they are less contaminated with pesticides. We explain why health benefits from a decreased exposure to pesticides through organic food consumption remain unsubstantiated. There is … Read more

ENSSER Statement: New genetic modification techniques and their products pose risks that need to be assessed

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Australia should reverse deregulation of new GM techniques As a network of scientists concerned about the health of citizens worldwide as well as our environment and biodiversity, the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) is deeply concerned about Australia’s recent decision (October 8) to deregulate a number of the new genetic … Read more

Report – Genome-edited animals will intensify factory farming

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Many genetically engineered farm animals are under development, funded by private companies or governments and enabled by new genome editing technologies such as CRISPR. A new report from Friends of the Earth USA, co-written by ENSSER member Janet Cotter of Logos Environmental sheds light on the unintended consequences of genome editing in animals, which may … Read more

Media Release: European Court of Justice does not request a more detailed investigation of risks of genetically engineered soybeans

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Decision on a legal challenge of three non-governmental organisations against approval of a soybeans from Monsanto (Bayer) [Media Release in German] 12 September 2019 / Today, the European Court of Justice published the decision on a legal case filed by Testbiotech together with the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) and … Read more

Report – Genome-edited animals will intensify factory farming

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September 17, 2019   Many genetically engineered farm animals are under development, funded by private companies or governments and enabled by new genome editing technologies such as CRISPR. A new report from Friends of the Earth USA, co-written by ENSSER member Janet Cotter of Logos Environmental sheds light on the unintended consequences of genome editing … Read more

Are Market GM Plants an Unrecognized Platform for Bioterrorism and Biocrime?

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By Siguna Müller Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 29 May 2019 Sec. Biosafety and Biosecurity Volume 7 – 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00121 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00121/full This article discusses a previously unrecognized avenue for bioterrorism and biocrime. It is suggested that new gene editing technologies may have the potential to create plants that are genetically modified in harmful ways, either in … Read more

Paper: EFSA’s toxicological assessment of aspartame: was it even-handedly trying to identify possible unreliable positives and unreliable negatives?

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A new paper of Erik Millstone et al. has been published in Archives of Public Health. A copy of the paper is attached below, along with copies of two appendices.   A dossier of supporting documentation is available. The paper and appendices are available on the Archives of Public Health’s website. The paper dismantles the most recent … Read more

Science, Precaution, Innovation: towards the integrated governance of new technologies

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Conference Presentations We invite you to browse through the final program and to open the presentations of the conference via the attachments below or via the links in the program. We are still working on collecting all presentations of the conference. If you would like to get informed on updates and receive invitations to future … Read more

Laboratory tests with Lepidoptera to assess non-target effects of Bt maize pollen: analysis of current studies and recommendations for a standardised design

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By Andreas Lang, Marina Lee, Matthias Dolek, Julitta Berchtold and Mathias Otto   Abstract: Background and approach: Common standards for laboratory studies of non-target organisms are recognised as prerequisite to assist the risk assessments regarding the evaluation of environmental effects of transgenic crops. Here, we provide specific recommendations significant for experimental procedures of laboratory studies … Read more

Press Release Interdisciplinary symposium on gene drives: International scientists call for a critical public discourse

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Press Release Interdisciplinary symposium on gene drives: International scientists call for a critical public discourse Bern, 24 May 2019 Today, 120 international representatives from science, politics, national authorities and civil society organisations will discuss the gene drive technology at an interdisciplinary symposium in Bern. At the same time, a new report on gene drives will … Read more

Press Release Stage set for new wave of genetically engineered plants to be approved and imported after EU elections

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Stage set for new wave of genetically engineered plants to be approved and imported after EU elections   Outgoing EU-Commission might approve several controversial applications before handing over   23 May 2019 / More than 40 organisations from science, environmental protection, lobby control, food production and agriculture have today published a joint letter. They warn … Read more

Pesticides, poisoning and the politics of agrichemicals between Europe and Brazil

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The Work, Labour and Globalisation Research network at University of Strathclyde, the European Network of European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility, and the Pesticide Action Network Europe invite you to: “Pesticides, poisoning and the politics of agrichemicals between Europe and Brazil” When: 7 May 2019 from 17-20h Where: ENSSER, Marienstraße 19/20, Hinterhaus … Read more

Gene Drive Symposium, 24 May 2019, Eventforum Bern

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Which path do we want to take as a society? Gene Drives have the potential to circumvent the rules of inheritance in order to quickly and fundamentally alter wild populations of species or to exterminate them altogether. An idea that has long existed, gene drives may soon become reality with the help of new genetic … Read more

Report on ENSSER side events at 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and 9th Conference of the Parties serving as Meeting of the Parties (COPMOP9) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB)

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Side events at 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and 9th Conference of the Parties serving as Meeting of the Parties (COPMOP9) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) 18 – 21 November 2018, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt Sponsored by Software AG, gen-ethische Stiftung, and GLS Treuhand Zukunftsstiftung Landwirtschaft … Read more

Videos of Public Event: Bound to fail – The flawed scientific foundations of genetic engineering – The Central Dogma is 60 years old – but has it always been the new clothes of the emperor?

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Press Release: New study: Herbicides (glyphosate, dicamba) & antibiotic resistance

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A new study finds that bacteria develop antibiotic resistance up to 100,000-times faster when exposed to the world’s most widely used herbicides, Roundup (glyphosate) and Kamba (dicamba) and antibiotics compared to without the herbicide. This study adds to a growing body of evidence that herbicides used on a mass industrial scale, but not intended to … Read more

Comment by Ricarda Steinbrecher on Kyrou et al 2018 in Nature Biotechnology: Gene drives breakthrough needs urgent restraint

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A research development that crashed a population of caged mosquitoes could enable elimination of non-target species, says Dr Ricarda Steinbrecher Gene drive researchers associated with Target Malaria and funded by US DARPA, the GATES Foundation and the UK BBSRC have just managed to crash a population of caged mosquitoes after 7-11 generations. This is a … Read more

Report – Gene-edited organisms in agriculture: risks and unexpected consequences

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In recent years, there has been much discussion of how gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR, can broaden the scope of genetic engineering in agriculture. However, it’s becoming clear that gene editing techniques are error prone. This new report from Friends of the Earth U.S., cowritten by ENSSER member Janet Cotter, compiles the growing evidence … Read more

Einseitige Angriffe und eine voreingenommene Berichterstattung zum EuGH Urteil über neue Gentechnikmethoden entlarven ein anmassendes und unaufgeklärtes Wissenschafts- Demokratie- und Rechtsverständnis

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Verfasst von: Dr. Eva Gelinsky und Dr. Angelika Hilbeck – ENSSER Einleitung “Nothing has been “banned”. Interpreting laws that simply recognise the novelty and distinctiveness of different kinds of GM breeding processes, the ECJ is merely offering a consistent framework of interpretation within which continuing healthy reasoned argumentation can be more rigorously played out.”1 Mit … Read more

Public Event: Bound to fail – The flawed scientific foundations of genetic engineering

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The Central Dogma is 60 years old – but has it always been the new clothes of the emperor? Public and press event Wednesday, September 5th 7 – 9.30 pm GLS Bank, Schumannstraße 10, 10117 Berlin   With: Ignacio Chapela, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA Jack Heinemann, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand Ricarda Steinbrecher, … Read more

Scientific Participation at the GMO Free Regions Conference

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ENSSER gives scientific input at the GMO Free Regions Conference in Berlin on 6-7 September 2018. On 5 September ENSSER organizes the public event Bound to fail – The flawed scientific foundations of genetic engineering with Ignacio Chapela, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA Jack Heinemann, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand Ricarda Steinbrecher, EcoNexus, Oxford, … Read more

Paper: Re-registration Challenges of Glyphosate in the European Union

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by András Székács and Béla Darvas published in Frontiers of Environmental Science on 31 July 2018   One of the most controversial societal issues today, regarding pesticide registration in the European Union (EU) may be the case surrounding re-registration of the active herbicide ingredient glyphosate. Shortly before the announcement of the conflicting views regarding the … Read more

Paper: Histopathological Investigation of the Stomach of Rats Fed a 60% Genetically Modified Corn Diet

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By Irena M. Zdziarski, Judy A. Carman, John W. Edwards The paper provides evidence from a feeding experiment on rats that the authors did, that GM crops producing Cry proteins (sometimes known as Bt proteins), may not be as safe as asserted. The authors saw damage to the stomach when it was looked at under … Read more

Support

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The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) is a non-profit association registered under German law. The purpose of ENSSER is:

“the advancement of science and research for the protection of the environment, biological diversity and human health against negative impacts of new technologies and their products. This especially includes the support and protection of independent and critical research to advance the scientific assessment of the potentially negative impacts. The purpose of the by-laws is the realization of research projects, the award of research assignments to third parties, the realization of scientific events, presentation and discussion of scientific work to the relevant audience, and the advancement of the European and international discourse on the risks and benefits of new technologies and on their regulation.”

ENSSER was founded on August 27, 2009.

The foundation activities were kindly funded by:

 

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Hatzfeld Stiftung

 

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Estimating acute mortality of Lepidoptera caused by the cultivation of insect-resistant Bt maize – The LepiX model

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Article by LorenzFahse, Phillip Papastefanou, and Mathias Otto   Abstract The cultivation of Bt maize, genetically modified to be resistant to insect pests, has led to intense scientific and political debate about its possible adverse impacts on biodiversity. To better address this question we developed an individual-based simulation model (LepiX). LepiX considers the temporal dynamics … Read more

International Conference “The Dramatic Changes on the Planet and the Hellenic Roots of Ecological Ethics”

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This is the Second International Conference on “The Dramatic Changes on the Planet and the Hellenic Roots of Ecological Ethics”. The Conference is jointly organized by the University of Patras and the Centre for Sciences and Hellenic Values, a non-profit organization with substantial support in the research efforts on ancient Greek philosophy, science and technology … Read more

Newspaper Article: Australia, New Zealand approval of GM rice questioned

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Summary of the article: Genetically-modified golden rice gains approval of Australia and New Zealand TestBiotech, a Munich-based institute has questioned the basis for the approval as inadequate The institute recommends more rigorous tests to ensure public safety READ the full article READ an ENSSER press release on Golden Rice from August 2016

Study: Impacts of glyphosate-based herbicides on disease resistance and health of crops: a review

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By Daisy A. Martinez, Ulrich E. Loening, and Margaret C. Graham.   Abstract: Based on experimental data from laboratory and field, numerous authors have raised concern that exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) may pre-dispose crops to damage by microbial pathogens. In this review, we distinguish and evaluate two principal pathways by which GBHs may affect … Read more

Energy Workshop – A World We Want

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On 13 December ENSSER conducted the workshop “A World We Want” within the boundaries of planet earth: Finding a common and scientific fact-based language  for the energy transition.   Purpose During the past decades and especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union, several powerful civil society movements started to expose the uncontrolled and now … Read more

Press Release from the Annual Assembly

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Press Release The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility, at its 7th annual assembly in Athens this year, has expressed its sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the recent disastrous floods in Mandras, Attika. Participating scientists at the meeting, from many European nations, discussed this event and the factors increasing its … Read more

New research finds common herbicides cause antibiotic resistance

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New research finds common herbicides cause antibiotic resistance   New University of Canterbury research confirms that the active ingredients of the commonly used herbicides, RoundUp, Kamba and 2,4-D (glyphosate, dicamba and 2,4-D, respectively), each alone cause antibiotic resistance at concentrations well below label application rates. UC Molecular Biology and Genetics academic, Professor Jack Heinemann, of … Read more

Press Release: Products of new GM techniques should be strictly regulated as GMOs

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The products of new genetic modification techniques (NGMTs), misleadingly termed by proponents New Plant Breeding Techniques (NPBTs), are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and should be strictly regulated as such, according to a statement1 released today by the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER). The scientific evidence shows that these techniques do … Read more

ENSSER Statement on New Genetic Modification Techniques:

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Products of new genetic modification techniques should be strictly regulated as GMOs [1] 27 September 2017 New genetic modification techniques (NGMTs) are increasingly being developed and applied to generate new varieties of food crops and livestock animals. They are also being used for other purposes, such as to develop gene drives[2]. They include – but … Read more

First Signatories to the ENSSER Statement on New Genetic Modification Techniques

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Michael Antoniou, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London, London, UK Ricarda Steinbrecher, EcoNexus, UK Angelika Hilbeck, Institute of Integrative Biology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland András Székács, Professor, Agro-Environmental Research Institute, National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre, Budapest Nicolas Defarge, Institute of Integrative Biology, Department of … Read more

Letter to the Rector of the University of Rosario to express ENSSER’s support to Prof. Damián Verzeñassi and his team from the Institute of Socio-Environmental Health, University of Rosario, Argentina

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In response to the threats to Prof. Damián Verzeñassi and his team from the Institute of Socio-Environmental Health (Medicine School of the National University of Rosario, Argentina), ENSSER wrote and endorsed a letter of support {link}. Since 2010, Prof. Damián Verzeñassi together with his medical students conducted perhaps the largest epidemiological study to date by … Read more

Who is to blame for the failure of GM golden rice?

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PR 04/16 Who is to blame for the failure of GM golden rice? The recent Nobel laureates’ open letter to the United Nations and governments around the world, accusing Greenpeace of a “crime against humanity” for opposing genetically modified (GMO) golden rice, elicited a reaction from scientists Angelika Hilbeck and Hans Herren (Federal Institute of … Read more

Chemical Pesticides and Human Health: The Urgent Need for a New Concept in Agriculture

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By Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati1*, Sotirios Maipas1, Chrysanthi Kotampasi1, Panagiotis Stamatis1 and Luc Hens2 1 Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 2 Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO), Mol, Belgium doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00148 Published in 2016 in frontiers in public health The industrialization of the agricultural sector has increased the … Read more

Endocrine disruptor criteria toothless?

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PR 03/16 Endocrine disruptor criteria toothless? The criteria to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) recently proposed by EU Health Commissioner Andriukaitis will fail to protect our health and that of animals and the environment. Since Member States have been asked to give their feedback on the criteria by 7 July, Pesticide Action Network Europe and … Read more

Statement “No scientific consensus on GMO safety” published in Environmental Sciences Europe

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The statement “No scientific consensus on GMO safety” has been published in Environmental Sciences Europe. Please view the press release here. The statement was signed by almost 300 scientists, physicians, social scientists, academics, and specialists in legal aspects and risk assessment of GM crops and foods. The full list of signatories is available here.   … Read more

Conference Documentation Published: Advancing the Understanding of Biosafety GMO Risk Assessment, Independent Biosafety Research and Holistic Analysis

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Advancing the Understanding of Biosafety GMO Risk Assessment, Independent Biosafety Research and Holistic Analysis   This conference took place in the wake of the 6th meeting of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (MOP-6)  2012.  View the full documenation of the conference View the program including the ppt-presentations  

Reassessing Monsanto’s Data

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Support Letter / Lettre Soutien for Gilles-Eric Séralini & Co-Authors May 10, 2010 – ENSSER and FSC invite you to sign the support letter for Professor Séralini and his colleagues Joël Spiroux de Vendômois and Dominique Cellier who have become the targets of a discreditation campaign from certain sectors of the scientific community. This campaign … Read more