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Beyond ‘substantial equivalence’

Nature volume 401, pages 525–526 (1999)Cite this article

Showing that a genetically modified food is chemically similar to its natural counterpart is not adequate evidence that it is safe for human consumption.

The concept of substantial equivalence has never been properly defined; the degree of difference between a natural food and its GM alternative before its ‘substance’ ceases to be acceptably ‘equivalent’ is not defined anywhere, nor has an exact definition been agreed by legislators. It is exactly this vagueness that makes the concept useful to industry but unacceptable to the consumer. Moreover, the reliance by policymakers on the concept of substantial equivalence acts as a barrier to further research into the possible risks of eating GM foods.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, WC1E 6BT, London, UK

    Eric Brunner

  2. GeneWatch UK, The Courtyard, Whitecross Road, Tideswell, Derbyshire, SK17 8NY, Buxton, UK

    Sue Mayer

  3. SPRU–Science and Technology Policy Research, Mantell Building, University of Sussex, BN1 9RF, Brighton, UK

    Erik Millstone

Authors
  1. Erik Millstone
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  2. Eric Brunner
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  3. Sue Mayer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erik Millstone.

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Millstone, E., Brunner, E. & Mayer, S. Beyond ‘substantial equivalence’. Nature 401, 525–526 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/44006

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/44006

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