ENSSER regularly addresses the public on various topics via press releases and statements and brings its scientific expertise into public debates.
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
EU Parliament disregards science by endorsing deregulation of new GM plants After the EU Commission, the EU Parliament now also displays a clear disregard of science, by endorsing the deregulation of new genetically modified (GM) plants. It thereby puts EU citizens and the environment at risk, in conflict with the Parliament’s mandate to represent … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
PR 01/16 Long list of glyphosate concerns shows EC flouts precautionary principle A group of fourteen experts, including ENSSER member Michael Antoniou and CRIIGEN[i] member Robin Mesnage, warns that current safety assessments of glyphosate based herbicides (GBHs) as well as their maximum daily intake limits are based on outdated science. Also, exposure levels have risen … Read more
PR 02/16 Co-formulants of glyphosate herbicides are endocrine disruptors In a new French-Hungarian study, the co-formulants of glyphosate herbicides are shown to be endocrine disruptors, i.e. to interfere with the human hormone system. Two ENSSER board members, Nicolas Defarge and András Székács, are involved in the study. Despite a great deal of scientific criticism pointing … Read more
PR 03/15 Public must know about risk to their health – ENSSER demands transparent glyphosate assessment – away with double standard favouring producers A new British scientific study confirms that the glyphosate herbicide Roundup, an essential integral component of the majority of GM crops, causes liver and kidney damage below levels allowed in EU drinking … Read more
PR 02/15 Lab rat diets contaminated: chemical and GMO safety tests invalid A new French study has shown that feeds commonly used as standard diets in safety tests performed on rats, are contaminated with hazardous substances and often also with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This may help to explain the common problem hindering safety tests … Read more
PR 01/15 “No scientific consensus on GMO safety” statement published in peer-reviewed journal A statement signed by over 300 scientists and legal experts to the effect that there is “No consensus” on the safety of genetically modified (GM) crops and foods has been published in a peer-reviewed open access journal, Environmental Sciences Europe.[1] It now … Read more
PR 01/14 Re-Publication of Séralini et al. Study on the “Long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize” RE-PUBLICATION of the Séralini et al. study on the “Long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize” ENSSER welcomes the re-publication of the data from the long-term rat feeding … Read more
PR 08/13 End double standards in evaluating GMO safety studies – say scientists Europe’s food safety agency only criticises studies that find risk, new analysis shows ENSSER Press release 17.12.2013 The controversy about the Séralini et al. study, which reported negative health effects of Monsanto’s NK603 GM maize and Roundup herbicide fed to rats over … Read more
PR 07/13 297 scientists and experts agree GMOs not proven safe *EU chief scientist Anne Glover’s backing for GM condemned as “irresponsible” *Independent researchers work double shift to address “red flags” on GMO safety Press release, European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility, 10 Dec 2013 The number of scientists and experts who … Read more
Number of scientists who say GMOs not proven safe climbs to 230 Developer of first commercialised GM food says debate isn’t over Press release 06/13, 30 October 2013 https://www.ensser.org/media/ Contact: Dr Angelika Hilbeck: ahilbeck@ensser.org / Tel.: +49 30 20 654 857 The number of scientists, physicians and legal experts who have signed the group statement, … Read more
PR 05/13 -PR is available in Française, Castellano, English, Deutsch, Nederlands – No scientific consensus on safety of genetically modified organisms – Scientists release statement as World Food Prize goes to Monsanto and Syngenta There is no scientific consensus on the safety of genetically modified foods and crops, according to a statement released today by … Read more
-the statement is also available in Francaise, Castellano, Nederlands, 普通話, Português, Deutsch – As scientists, physicians, academics, and experts from disciplines relevant to the scientific, legal, social and safety assessment aspects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs),[1] we strongly reject claims by GM seed developers and some scientists, commentators, and journalists that there is a “scientific … Read more
Press Release 04/13 – available in English, Deutsch, Française, Castellano, Português – Genetically engineered soybeans in EU Court of Justice: David and Goliath Monsanto, the EFSA, the UK Government and the EU Commission all joining forces against civil society Gentechnik Soja vor EU-Gericht: David gegen Goliath Monsanto, britische Regierung, EFSA und EU-Kommission gemeinsam gegen die … Read more
Press Release 03/13 New kinds of genetically modified plants and pesticides not being assessed for safety Christchurch, 22.03.2013 – In a new peer-reviewed paper published by an international team from New Zealand, Brazil and Australia in the prestigious journal Environment International, the researchers Jack A. Heinemann, Sarah Z. Agapito-Tenfen and Judy A. Carman have found … Read more
PR 02/13 Lawsuit filed against EU authorisation of genetically engineered soybeans Klage gegen EU-Zulassung von gentechnisch veränderter Soja Umweltorganisationen Procès intenté contre l’Union européenne sur l’autorisation de sojas génétiquement modifiés Interpuesta una demanda contra la autorización europea de soja modificada genéticamente Interposta ação judicial contra a autorização da UE de soja geneticamente modificada Environmental … Read more
PR 01/13 The world-wide dominant herbicide contains compounds more toxic than expected as new research shows Zusatzstoffe des weltweit bedeutendsten Herbizids sind deutlich toxischer als erwartet – Jüngste Forschungsergebnisse aus Frankreich publiziert Le principal herbicide du monde contient des substances plus toxiques que prevu – une nouvelle recherche le demontre Una nueva investigatión demuestra que … Read more
PR 03/12 ENSSER calls for scientific debate of potential health risks of GM wheat instead of ad hominem attacks on researchers 19 Sep 2012 – On 11 September 2012, the Science Media Centre (SMC) published response comments (by Prof. Rick Roush, Assoc. Prof. Peter Dearden, Prof. Peter Langridge and Dr. Ian Edwards) in reply to expert … Read more
PR 02/12 Complaint against EU authorisation of genetically engineered soybeans with stacked genes PR 02/12 Beschwerde gegen EU Zulassung von gentechnisch veränderter Soja mit Kombinationswirkung Joint action of environmental organisations and scientists against decision of the EU Commission Munich/ Brussels, 9 August 2012. Several organisations such as the European Network of Scientists for Social … Read more
PR 01/12 Swiss researchers confirm lethal effects of genetically modified Bt toxin on young ladybird larvae – Counter-research based on flawed methodology Schweizer Forscher bestätigen negative Effekte von gentechnisch verändertem Bt-Toxin auf junge Marienkäferlarven – Gegenstudie ohne negative Effekte wendet zweifelhafte Methodik an Des chercheurs suisses confirment les effets létaux de la toxine Bt génétiquement … Read more
PR 02/11 How much insecticide do Bt plants actually produce? New publication shows inadequacies in risk assessment Munich 21 November 2011. A new publication by an international research consortium has revealed several inadequacies in current approaches to risk assessment of genetically engineered plants. The publication deals with methods used for measurement in socalled Btplants. These … Read more
PR 01/11 ENSSER and FSC welcome verdict in whistleblower case Gilles-Eric Séralini won libal case against the French Association for Plant Biotechnology read more about the case 18 Jan 2011 – The Citizen Science Foundation (Fondation Sciences Citoyennes, FSC) and the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) welcome the verdict of the … Read more
– press release available in English, Deutsch, 中文, 日本語 – “Advancing the Understanding of Biosafety” Scientific Conference and Citizen Forum Press Release 02/10 28 Sep 2010 – The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER), the Third World Network (TWN) and the Federation of German Scientists (Vereinigung Deutscher Wissenschaftler, VDW) are announcing … Read more
PR 01/10 “Don’t shoot scientific messengers” Early warning French Professor under severe attack by agro-biotechnology lobby May 10, 2010 – Today the French Fondation Sciences Citoyennes (FSC) (1) and the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) (2) launch a public support letter for Prof. Dr. Gilles-Eric Séralini of the University of … Read more
PR 01/09 Foundation of the European network of concerned scientists “European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility” Berlin (18 Sep 2009) – On September 18-19, 2009, the “European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility” (ENSSER) meets in Berlin/Germany for its first members’ meeting and a strategy workshop. ENSSER was founded by … Read more