108 Nobel laureates support genetically modified crops

Original title: 108 Nobel Prize winners jointly support transgenic technology

Call for the cessation of activities against the improvement of crops through biotechnology

A worker takes care of corn in a Monsanto experimental field in Woodland, California, in August 2012. Monsanto is the world's leading producer of herbicide glyphosate and the largest producer of genetically modified seeds. (network photo: Sina Technology)

Comprehensive report on agriculture, rural areas and farmers express: 108 Nobel laureates signed an open letter on the 29th, asking Greenpeace to stop its activities against improving crops and food through biotechnology.

The joint letter to Greenpeace, the United Nations and governments around the world said that the campaign against modern plant breeding led by Greenpeace has repeatedly denied the facts, hindered biotechnology innovation in agriculture, distorted the risks and impacts of new technologies, and undermined approved experimental and research projects.

Scientists have asked Greenpeace to stop its campaign against improving crops and food through biotechnology, to reanalyze the experience of global producers and consumers on improving crops and food through biotechnology, and to recognize the research results of authoritative scientific institutions and regulators.

The letter also called on governments around the world to boycott Greenpeace's activities and give farmers access to modern biotechnology tools, especially seed technologies through biotechnology.

The letter stresses that scientific and regulatory bodies around the world have repeatedly studied and unanimously found that crops and food improved through biotechnology are at least as safe as crops and food produced by other means, and that there has been no confirmed case of adverse health reactions in humans or animals caused by the consumption of these products. A number of studies have repeatedly shown that these crops and foods are less damaging to the environment and beneficial to global biodiversity.

The joint open letter event was organized by Nobel Prize winners in physiology or medicine Richard Roberts and Philip Sharp. In the list of joint signatures posted on the official website of the open letter, 108 Nobel laureates have signed, the vast majority of whom are Nobel laureates in the field of natural science. (Xinhua News Agency, Los Angeles, June 29th, by reporter Shuang Guo)