A scientist who was sacked after making claims about risks associated with genetically modified foods believes his research was suppressed because of political pressure. He is preparing legal action to win the right to submit his work for review and publication which, he says, could help to prove modified foods pose a risk and may be dangerous to humans and the environment.
Dr Arpad Pusztai was dismissed from the Rowett Research Institute in Edinburgh after his appearance on an ITN World in Action report last August. During the programme he said people who ate modified foods were like "unwitting guinea pigs in a mass experiment".
Dr Pusztai, who last night delivered the inaugural lecture of UCD's Biochemical Society, said he remained convinced of the quality of his original research. which suggested that rats fed with genetically modified potatoes had stunted growth, damaged organs and a weakened immune system.
"I very much hope that I am wrong because if I am not, we are facing some real problems," he told The Irish Times.
Before these experiments, he had no particular worries about GM foods or crops, he said. He had worked as a scientist at the Rowett for 36 years, published 276 scientific papers and written three books. "I am not an alarmist," he said. It would have been logical to continue with his line of research to determine what was causing the changes seen in the laboratory animals.
"I believe there was tremendous political pressure to stop it, just in case there were more nasties to crawl out of the woodwork."
Since his formal dismissal last January, Dr Pusztai has been precluded from publishing his findings without authorisation from the Rowett, although he is permitted to speak about his work. He believes this prevents his work from being properly analysed. The "lack of transparency" served those who did not want questions raised about GM foods, he said. "I think the British have a culture of secrecy - if in doubt, you deny."
He was completely happy about the quality of his data. "I stand by them, there is not the slightest suspicion in my mind that they are incorrect." No concerns had been expressed about the research when the initial application was made for funding. "We won it in a fair competition. They can't turn around and say it was a flawed proposal." The Scottish Office agreed to back the work with £1.6 million. Within three days of the documentary, however, Dr Pusztai had been suspended.
The feeding studies conducted for GM foods so far have been inadequate, he said. "I am not sure on the basis of the data I have seen that GM soya is safe at all. It is unacceptable. Why is it that when it comes to pig rations you have intensive tests and then when it comes to GM potatoes you are being accused of stopping progress?"
In his UCD lecture, Dr Pusztai spoke against GM foods and described his work. A counter-argument in defence of GM technology was given by Prof David McConnell, head of the Department of Genetics at Trinity College.
