Under the Influence: The National Research Council and GMOs

[JohnyCanuck]

Under the Influence: The National Research Council and GMOs

The National Research Council (NRC) — the research arm of the National Academy of Sciences — enjoys a reputation as one of the elite scientific bodies in the United States, an independent institution that Congress calls on for impartial scientific advice about topics like genetically engineered crops (commonly called GMOs). However, the NRC's far-reaching ties to biotechnology companies and other agricultural corporations have created conflicts of interest at every level of the organization, which greatly diminish the independence and integrity of the NRC's scientific work.

Among other conflicts, Food & Water Watch found that the NRC (and its parent organization, the National Academy of Sciences):

takes millions of dollars in funding from biotechnology companies
invites sponsors like Monsanto to sit on high-level boards overseeing the NRC’s work
invites industry-aligned, pro-GMO scientists to author NRC reports
draws scientific conclusions based on industry science
operates at times as a private contractor for corporate research.

The National Academy of Sciences bills itself as “the nation’s premier source of independent, expert advice on scientific, engineering, and medical issues” and provides scientific opinions on important public policy issues, like the use of GMOs in farming or the use of growth-promoting drugs in animal agriculture. Chartered by Congress to provide scientific guidance to the government, the Academy and its research arm, the NRC, are required under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to limit conflicts of interest in their scientific work.

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/insight/under-influence-national-research-council-and-gmos