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Genetically modified foods and health: a second interim statement

British Medical Association
Board of Science and Education
March 2004

The BMA produced an interim report in 1999 on the health implications of GM food crops. In accordance with our intention to keep the public informed, we held a round table meeting of experts in June 2003 and have recently reviewed the emerging evidence.
 
In producing an update of our 1999 report, the BMA seeks to support balanced debate. As an organisation of doctors, we are not experts in agricultural techniques and crop science, but we are concerned with all issues of public health.

The environment in which we live, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat, all have an impact on our health as individuals. It is this context that the statement has been prepared.

The BMA shares the view of the Royal Society that that there is no robust evidence to prove that GM foods are unsafe. However, we endorse the call for further research and surveillance to provide convincing evidence of safety and benefit.

Editorial Board
A publication from the BMA science and education department and the Board of Science and Education

Chairman, Board of Science and Education	Professor Sir David Carter
Director of professional activities	Dr Vivienne Nathanson
Head of science and education	Dr Caroline Seddon
Project manager	Nicky Jayesinghe
Research and writing	Angela Sharpe
Editorial secretariat	Sherri Cooper

Board of Science and Education
This resource was prepared under the auspices of the Board of Science and Education of the British Medical Association, whose membership for 2003/2004 was as follows:

Professor Sir Brian Jarman	President, BMA
Dr George Rae	Chairman, BMA representative body
Mr James Johnson	Chairman, BMA council
Dr David Pickersgill	Treasurer, BMA
Professor Sir David Carter	Chairman, Board of Science and Education
Dr P Maguire	Deputy chairman, Board of Science and Education
Dr P H Dangerfield
Dr G D Lewis
Professor S Lingam
Dr J Long
Dr S Minkoff
Dr S J Nelson
Dr S J Richards
Dr D M B Ward	Co-optee
Dr C Smith	Co-optee
Dr S J L Smith	Deputy member
Professor B R Hopkinson
Dr G Buckley
Dr N D L Olsen

Acknowledgements
The Association is very grateful for the help provided by the BMA committees and many outside experts and organisations. We would particularly like to thank those who attended the round table meeting in June 2003.