Title
"Prince backs GM Scientist"
Reference
MS/2141/03/22
Production date
10-06-1999 - 10-06-1999
Creator
Extent
1 newspaper article
Physical description
newspaper cutting
Language
English
Level of description
ITEM
Repository name
Science Museum, London
Associated people and organisations
- The Daily TelegraphBiographyBiography
Founded as the The Daily Telegraph and Courier by Colonel Arthur B. Sleigh in June 1855. Joseph Moses Levy, the owner of The Sunday Times, agreed to print the newspaper, and to pay for the inital cost of printing the first edition. However, the newspaper was not a succes and Colonel Sleigh was unable to pay the ongoing costs. Joseph Levy took over the newspaper and relaunched it as The Daily Telegraph.
- Prince Charles
- Pusztai, ÁrpádBiographyBiography
(08/09/1930) Biochemist and Nutritionist
Árpád János Pusztai was born in Budapest, he obtained a diploma in chemistry in 1953 from the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. He worked for three years as an associate scientist at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences before the Hungarian revolution against Soviet control in 1956. After the failed revolution Árpád Pusztai escaped to a refugee camp in Austria and from there made his way to England. He completed his doctorate in biochemistry at the Lister Institute in London and continued there with his post-doctorate. In 1963 he was invited to join the Protein Research Department at the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen, Scotland. Pusztai worked at the Rowett Institute for the next 36 years, predominately studying plant lectins.
In 1995 Árpád Pusztai began research on genetically modified potatoes containing the GNA lectin gene from the snowdrop plant. His group fed rats on raw and cooked genetically modified potatoes, using Desiree Red potatoes as controls. In 1998 Árpád Pusztai said in an interview on a World in Action programme that his group had observed damage to the intestines and immune systems of rats fed the genetically modified potatoes. He also said, "If I had the choice I would certainly not eat it," and that, "I find it's very unfair to use our fellow citizens as guinea pigs."
This resulted in a media frenzy, and Rowett Institute's director Philip James, after initially supporting Pusztai, suspended him and banned both Pusztai and Susan Bardocz from speaking publicly. He also used misconduct procedures to seize the raw data. The Rowett Institute eventually published an audit criticizing Pusztai's results.
- Cockburn, AndrewBiographyBiography
(active 1970) Toxicologist
Cockburn studied at Brunel University in Biochemistry, Toxicology and Cardiotoxicity before becoming head taxicologist at Beecham Pharmaceuticals and later AgrEvo.
Cockburn is former Director of Scientific Outreach Monsanto Europe and Africa where he was involved in developing science based guidance for the safety evaluation of proteins and crops, through International Stakeholder, Governmental and Non-Governmental Groups.
For the past 13 years, Cockburn has worked as a registered taxicologist at Toxico-Logical Consulting Ltd in Hertfordshire where he is consulted on all aspects of toxicology including; food, agrochemical, biotech and chemical substances.
Subject
Conditions governing access
Open Access
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions
Finding aids
Box 1