ASK-FORCE
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ASK-FORCE discusses publications about biosafety and biotechnology that have gained much public attention but which are not supported by a clear majority of peer reviewed scientific publications. The ASK-FORCE initiative, chaired by em. Prof. Klaus Ammann, is a collaborative activity between PRRI the EFB Forum and AgBioWorld. The texts are peer reviewed by a range of well known experts in their field of green biotechnology from the following three organisations: PRRI, EFB and AgBioView. The new ASK-FORCE contributions are sent after reviewing to the members of PRRI, EFB and subscribers of AgBioWorld, they are also mentioned in GMObelus , CheckBiotech and other networks.  
 

Ask Force news: 

12 July 2009
22 July 2009
 

Following Ask Force contributions are available:

1. Agriculture 
Do GM crops fail to produce more yield? Do GM crops fail to produce more yield? (updated 20 July 2010)
No difference between GM and non GM at the molecular level No difference between GM and non GM at the molecular level (updated 19 June 2010)

2. Human and animal health
Rebuttal to a review of Dona and Arvanitoyannis 2009 Rebuttal to a review of Dona and Arvanitoyannis 2009
Are rat organs damaged after feeding on GM soybeans as Ermakova claims? Are rat organs damaged after feeding on GM soybeans as Ermakova claims?
Did Monsanto transgenic hybrid maize lower the fertility of mice (Background) Did Monsanto transgenic hybrid maize lower the fertility of mice (Background)
Did Monsanto's transgenic hybrid maize lower the fertility of mice? Did Monsanto's transgenic hybrid maize lower the fertility of mice? (updated 20 July 2010)

3. Environmental safety
Is the impact of Bt maize on non-target insects really significantly negative? Is the impact of Bt maize on non-target insects really significantly negative?
Are GM crops killing honey bees? Are GM crops killing honey bees?
Do aquatic organisms suffer from residues and protein of BR maize? Do aquatic organisms suffer from residues and protein of Bt maize? (updated 20 July 2010)
Biodiversity and GM crops Biodiversity and GM crops (updated 9 August 2010)

4. Regulatory impact
Overregulation Overregulation

5. Communication
Rethinking communication strategy in the debate on GM crops Rethinking communication strategy in the debate on GM crops (updated on 19 July 2010)

Some time ago, a list of possible ASK-FORCE contributions have been compiled, it is now updated, it is open for comments http://www.botanischergarten.ch/ASK-FORCE-Strategy/ASK-FORCE-General-List-20090911.pdf 
  

Members

Em. Prof. Dr. Klaus Ammann, Switzerland
Prof. Dr. Selim Cetiner Sabanci University, Turkey
Dr. Dennis Eriksson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
Prof. Dr. Hans Holmen, Linköpping University, Sweden

The ASK-FORCE working group is calling for members, who are willing to actively acquire and suggest new topics.