The New Dark Age

UK, US and European regulatory institutions have for many years been repeatedly subjecting evidence of possible harm from constituents of our food supply to severe critical scrutiny, while accepting seemingly reassuring studies and data uncritically, a new peer-reviewed article shows. Drawing on the details of regulatory debates over four key issues, including the sole GM maize variety that’s approved to grow in the EU (MON810) and glyphosate, the authors document regulators’ consistently asymmetric treatment of evidence (more commonly known as “double standards”), which has served to benefit commercial interests to the detriment of consumer protection. GMWatch

Keep our foods safe and our choices ours! GMOs must be labelled. Let’s show EU decision-makers we won’t allow corporate giants to push unlabelled genetically modified foods. Tell EU leaders: Protect GMO labelling! You can sign this petition whichever country you are in, including outside the EU. Eko

A much-anticipated draft action plan from the Make America Healthy Again Commission eliminated any plans for action on pesticides, the Center for Biological Diversity notes. This report is the followup to the commission’s May MAHA report, which included pesticides and specifically named both glyphosate and atrazine. The threat of any new restrictions being placed on the use of dangerous pesticides spurred a massive and successful lobbying effort by the chemical industry and commodity growers’ groups, alongside their friends in Congress and the EPA, to force the commission to back off. Instead of action, the recommendations direct the EPA and Big Ag to work together to convince the public to have confidence in pesticide review processes, which are broadly criticised for scientific inadequacy and excessive industry influence. It also encourages research into new pesticide application technologies. Center for Biological Diversity via GMWatch

A coalition of Nigerian non-governmental or­ganisations (NGOs) has launched a scathing cri­tique of government agencies re­garding their stance on GMOs, accus­ing them of inconsistency and a lack of rigorous, independent research. The coalition, comprised of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Environmental Rights Action, and the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, a coalition of over 80 civil society organisations, researchers, farmers, women and youth groups representing the interest of millions of Nigerians, is calling for a total ban on GMOs, citing concerns about hu­man health, environmental degrada­tion, and threats to the nation’s food sovereignty. The controversy stems from seemingly contradictory statements made by the Director-General (DG) of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye. In an interview on August 8, 2025, Adeyeye asserted that “genetically modified or­ganisms known as GMOs, particular­ly in food, are not harmful to human health, provided that safety protocols are followed,” but this declaration stands in stark contrast to her earlier pro­nouncements. Independent (Nigeria)

On 11 August, the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) objected to a proposed field trial of genetically modified (GM) canola, engineered to tolerate glyphosate-based herbicides. The trial was proposed by Corteva Agriscience. In the objection, the ACB noted that South Africa had 154 wild relatives of canola that could cross-fertilise, risking widespread genetic contamination. “Canola can form persistent weedy populations, spread by pollen travelling up to 3km, and seeds can remain dormant in soil for years. Herbicide-tolerant GM crops drive a vicious cycle of increased chemical use, superweeds, soil degradation and environmental harm. Glyphosate is a probable human carcinogen, linked to over 100,000 lawsuits in the US, with Bayer/Monsanto paying $11-billion in damages,” said the centre. Daily Maverick (sign in to get access)

Like many people from Serpent River First Nation, along the north shore of Lake Huron, Jenifer Brousseau often picks berries and traditional medicines in the bush around her community in northeastern Ontario. But in recent years, Brousseau and many others from Serpent River have been concerned about the forestry industry’s use of herbicides that contain the chemical glyphosate. “It’s kind of scary because I don’t know where I can gather anymore,” she said. In late summer, forestry companies spray herbicides on thousands of hectares of Crown land across northern Ontario. The goal is to promote growth of the tree they harvest, such as jack pine, by inhibiting the development of other plants that would compete with those trees. Grace Manitowabi, from Sagamok First Nation, said glyphosate spraying kills traditional medicines — including sage, sweetgrace and cedar — that are important to people in her community. “And not to mention the blueberries are all dead now,” she said. CBC

Our latest Review, on De-Extinction, Designer Babies, Gene Drives and More, is out and is archived here. Don’t miss out on future Reviews – sign up for free here.

__________________________________________________________

Website: http://www.gmwatch.org
X: https://x.com/GMWatch
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gmwatch.bsky.social
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@GMWatch
Lobbywatch – GM Myth Makers: https://gmwatch.org/en/articles/gm-myth-makers