§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research(a) he and (b) the Food Safety Agency has commissioned on possible effects on human health of (i) living close to GM crops and (ii) eating GM food. [161129]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonBefore a genetically modified (GM) crop is approved for growing or for food consumption in the European Union it is required to undergo a rigorous safety assessment. This takes into account both the potential impact on human health in growing the crop and an assessment of the safety of the crop for human consumption. The Food Standards Agency funds a large body of research to support the safety assessment of GM foods, and has not commissioned specific research in the areas mentioned.