GM foods still controversial

I WAS surprised by the "matter of fact" statement by Hans Lombard that "Modified foods are safe to eat" (October 6). The jury is still out on the matter and the fact is that sufficient evidence is forthcoming to doubt Lombard.

Unfortunately Lombard quotes a selected study done where animals were fed GM feed and where the same animals "performed" as well as non-GM-fed animals (so why do we then need GMOs?). Unfortunately this is not true for all studies done and a simple search online will show many opposing scientific views.

The fact that the study was done at the University of California and that the WHO endorses the use of GMO foods does not make it safe. Unfortunately Monsanto, the largest biotechnology company in the world, has been found guilty in courts around the world of nefarious practices and a quick search online will reveal on YouTube these top hits: "Seeds of death: unveiling the lies of GMOs", "Horrific new studies in GMOs, you're eating this stuff!" and "They are killing us – GMO foods".

The fact that we are only now being informed by people like Lombard and the WHO that we have been consuming genetically modified corn for some 18 years does not prove the long term safety of GMO foods for mankind. Furthermore there is an increased resistance mounting around the world against the use of GMOs and everyone, including Rose Layard ("Genetically modified food a huge threat to public", September 29), has a right to know the truth about what they are consuming.

I have been in practise for 40 years, and in that time I have seen an ever increasing number of people with allergies, leaky gut, IBS, autism, diabetes, obesity, Parkinsonism, Alzheimer's and cancer. Prof Tim Noakes has blamed vested business interests for some of these diseases and I would suggest that GMOs are also not above suspicion.

Dr Bernhard Nagel, chiropractor, homoeopath and naturopath, Port Elizabeth