Nature - autonomous learning

strange natures 15Box 1.3 THE ‘PUSZTAI AFFAIR’In 1998, the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods became anational preoccupation in the UK because of the research of ArpadPusztai. Pusztai’s research team, based at the Rowett Institute inScotland, fed GM potatoes to rats in an attempt to determine whatphysiological effects the potatoes have when compared to non-GMvarieties. When the results of the trial were eventually published –in the respected medical journal the Lancet in 1999 – they showedthat there were differences in the gut linings and organ sizes of thetwo sets of rats used. For some, these differences implied that GMfoods might cause health problems. But these health concerns hadalready been expressed in a more informal way in 1998 by Pusztaihimself, first in an interview for the news programme Newsnight(shown on BBC Two) and later for the current affairs show Worldin Action. In these TV appearances Pusztai expressed his concernthat GM foods might not be safe for human consumption and hespeculated that biotechnology firms were using people as guineapigsfor untested foodstuffs. This led to his employer firing him, toan outcry from biotechnology firms, and to members of the UKscientific establishment (like the government’s chief scientist SirRobert May) questioning Pusztai’s integrity. The controversy centredon the quality of Pusztai’s research and the wider conclusionsthat could be drawn from this one investigation into GM foods.Those with a vested interest in GM foods sought to downplaythe veracity of Pusztai’s findings, while those suspicious of theirbenefits championed Pusztai’s research. Because of the extensivemedia attention that the Pusztai affair received, the British publicbecame very concerned about the safety of GM foods. The UKgovernment was ultimately forced to acknowledge the need forproper scientific studies of the health and environmental impactsof GM foods. Meanwhile, Pusztai’s reputation as a scientist hasbeen damaged by the events of 1998/9. He will be remembered lessfor the quality of his research and more for his courage as a whistlebloweror else for his malign influence on the British public’sperceptions of GM foods.