Written question asked by Alan Simpson (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 November 2009. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 November 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Genetically Modified Organisms: Food

Question: (2) what recent international research he has evaluated on the effect on the consumption of genetically modified food on human health, with particular reference to the effects on (a) fertility, (b) immune dysregulation, (c) accelerated ageing, (d) gene disruption relating to cholesterol synthesis, (e) cell signalling, (f) protein formation (g) insulin regulation and (h) changes in the liver, kidney, spleen and gastrointestinal system.

Answer: The Food Standards Agency has sought advice from the Advisory Committee on Novel Food and Processes (ACNFP) regarding what conclusions may be drawn from the following publications:"Malatesta et al., (2008), Histochem Cell Biol, 130, pp967-977""Kilic and Akay, (2008), Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46, pp1164-1170""Finamore et al., (2008), J Agric Food Chem. DOI: 10.1021/jf802059w""Lelimirov et al., (2008), Forschungsberichte der Sektion IV, Band 3/2008, published by the Austrian Ministry of Health."The ACNFP considered these publications at its meetings in November 2008 and February 2009, and advised that it was not possible to draw any conclusions about cause and effect in these publications or to assess the significance of these reports for human health. The minutes of these meetings are available on the ACNFP website at:"www.acnfp.gov.uk/meetings/acnfpmeet08/acnfpmeet20nov08/acnfpmin20nov08"and"www.acnfp.gov.uk/meetings/acnfpmeet09/acnfpfeb09/acnfpminl90209"

Secondary information