Russia has banned imports of genetically modified maize in light of a recent French study which linked consumption of Monsanto's GM maize with cancer in rats.

Although scientific opinion on the study is divided, Russian authorities announced a temporary ban on GM maize pending an investigation by the country's Institute of Nutrition. The study is also being investigated in France, where the government had introduced a ban on a variety of Monsanto's GM maize (MON810, sold as Yieldgard)  prior to its publication.

The recent study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, linked consumption of NK603 GM maize over an entire lifetime (two years) with development of tumours in rats. However, critics have said the rats used in the study are prone to developing tumours and have questioned the size of the study groups used in the research.

Nevertheless, the study's findings have caused a stir in Europe and the United States, particularly California where debate is raging over the introduction of compulsory GM labelling in foods.

Although initially silent on the subject of the study, Monsanto this week echoed criticism offered by a number of scientific commentators, who have questioned the study's methodology. Sceptics in the pro-GM lobby have also questioned the motives of the study’s lead author, Gilles-Eric Seralini, a noted critic of GM foods.  

EU watchdog the European Food Safety Authority has also said it will review the study, though lead author Seralini has protested, accusing the EFSA of being in thrall to the GM lobby.  

Tweet