Prince Charles is Right - The Truth about Antibiotics and GM Goods

Friends of the Earth has revealed new evidence showing why Prince Charles is right to worry about antibiotics and genetcally modified (GM) food.

New analysis published today shows that 13 out of 23 applications to the European Union for approval of GM foods contain antibiotic resistance marker genes. So do 12 applications for inclusion on the UK National Seed List. Scientists have warned that these genes could make antibiotic medicines needed to fight diseases such as meningitis, TB and gonorrhoea less effective.

Health experts recommend a ban on the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes. The British Medical Association believes that "the risk to human health from antibiotic resistance developing in micro-organisms is one of the major public health threats that will be faced in the 21st Century."

Full details of the test sites are available on this website.