Press release: 16 February 1999

 

 

The intense publicity induced by the press conference in Westminster last Friday suggested that the Rowett Research Institute had limited Dr Pusztai's ability to express his concern about GMOs. The Institute has therefore decided the following:

1. We hereby release Dr Pusztai's October 22nd alternative report in its entirety. This report was requested by the Rowett in response to an audit committee's analysis of the validity of Dr Pusztai's statement on the World in Action programme on August 10th 1998.

2. This report was produced by Dr Pusztai himself. At no time were the participant collaborators in SCRI and Durham University involved in the production of this report.

3. The audit committee's response to the alternative report is also attached.

4. Dr Pusztai is no longer required to observe the usual conventions of many scientific research institutes in relation to public disclosure of unpublished work. The Institute can therefore no longer be responsible for his analyses or views.

  1. The Institute does, however, require that Dr Pusztai's research findings be discussed with other participants in this project if papers are submitted for peer review.

  2. The Institute has identified the studies (contained within the original audit report) which were used to produce a variety of tissues for histological analyses. The background to these studies will be sent to the Government's Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes so that any results which they obtain from Dr Stan Ewen at Aberdeen Medical School can be seen in context.

  3. Dr Pusztai has been repeatedly requested to provide papers for publication on all this work. As yet he had not done so.

  4. We are seeking independent external review of the specific areas covered by this research. We would expect the review to seek the co-operation of Drs Pusztai and Ewen in the assessment of their work.

  5. The Rowett remains of the view that independent publicly funded research to improve the analytical approach to evaluating genetically modified foods is important. The Institute's function is to undertake research in the public interest. The Institute's strategy is not conditioned by political, industrial or vested interests. The Institute receives about 90% of its income from public sources with a subsidiary commercial company undertaking about 10% additional contract work. A current contract with Monsanto represents less than 1% of Rowett income. The research is looking at ways to improve the digestion of feed in cattle and is not related to the issue of genetically modified food.

  6. The Institute considers Dr Pusztai as having undertaken valuable work over many years. His ideas on the use of lectins are important contributions. The basis research to develop better understanding of GM foods is continuing with Scottish Office and other funding at the Rowett and elsewhere.

 

Media enquiries:

Hilary Robertson

01224 716668 or 01224 712751

This statement and the documents mentioned above will be available at

http://www.rri.sari.ac.uk/press/