Who would have thunk it? Seven European governments used false scientific data in their 'justifications' sent to the European Commission. Nooooh!

In a study published in the June issue of the scientific journal Nature Biotechnology, GMO experts from 3 major French public research institutions strongly criticize their former government, and those of 6 other European governments, for grossly falsifying scientific data to 'justify' their politically-motivated ban on GMO cultivation.

Background
In 2001, Europe imposed mandatory labeling of GM derived food, which resulted in an almost complete loss of freedom of choice for farmers and consumers. In many countries, consumers are also denied unbiased information since public research scientists have been intimidated by political activists.

Context
More than 10 years later, with the officially admitted aim to prevent farmers to adopt GMOs, 7 European governments used false scientific data in their 'justifications' sent to the European Commission (EC).

Summary of new publication
The document released by French authorities contained no new scientific evidence (in contrast to what was claimed). Poor studies were cherry-picked to suit their political aim, and authentic scientific reports, including those of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), were distorted, misquoted and falsely interpreted. Other scientific articles relevant to the subject and providing a different picture were ignored. Rebuttals from several authors cited in the French document are also made public in this new publication.
The Italian government recently used a simple translation of the French document in its justifications sent to the EC for its ban.

Selection of previous publications on GMOs by the same authors:
Evaluation of genetically engineered crops using transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic profiling techniques. Agnès E. Ricroch, Jean B. Bergé & Marcel Kuntz. Plant Physiology, Vol. 155(4) 1752-1761 (2011).
Destruction of public and governmental experiments of GMO in Europe. M. Kuntz. GM Crops & Food, Vol. 3(4), pages 1-7 (October/November/December 2012).
Assessment of the Health Impact of GE Plant Diets in Long Term and Multigenerational Animal Feeding Trials: a Literature Review. Snell C., A. Berheim, J. B. Bergé, M. Kuntz, G. Pascal, A. Paris & A.Ricroch (2012). Food and Chemical Toxicology, Vol. 50 (3­4), 1134-­1148 (March 2012).
Assessment of GE food safety using omics techniques and long-term animal feeding studies. Ricroch A. (2013). New biotechnology, Vol.30(4), 349-354 (May 2013).
GM plants: Science, politics and EC regulations. John Davison. Plant Science, Vol. 178(2), 94-98, (February 2010).