Members of the Independent Science Panel (ISP) on GM have had the opportunity to review extensive scientific and other evidence on genetic engineering over the past decades. Many are among the more than 600 scientists from 72 countries who have signed an “Open Letter from World Scientists to All Governments” [1], initiated in 1999, which called for a moratorium on the environmental release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), a ban on patents on living processes, organisms, seeds, cell lines and genes, and a comprehensive public enquiry into the future of agriculture and food security.

Scientific and other developments since 1999 have confirmed our concerns over the safety of genetic engineering, genetically modified (GM) crops and food security. At the same time, the successes and benefits of the different forms of sustainable agriculture are undeniable. The evidence, now assembled, makes a strong case for a worldwide ban on all environmental release of GM crops to make way for a comprehensive shift to agroecology, sustainable agriculture and organic farming.

The evidence on why GM crops are not a viable option for a sustainable future is presented in Parts 1 and 2, while Part 3 presents evidence on the successes and benefits of sustainable agricultural practices.

Note: This report is a summary of a vast amount of literature. We have included as much of the primary sources as possible, but many of the papers cited in the list of references are themselves extensive reviews of scientific and other literature, submitted to various national and international bodies that have called for evidence.