WikiLeaks Unveil Vatican’s Secret Approval Of GMOs

As the debate over whether or not GMOs are fit for public consumption waxes hotter all over the world, the Catholic Church has been conspicuously silent on whether or not it endorses this biotechnology.

Despite this attempt to remain publicly neutral, WikiLeaks recently uncovered a transmission from Christopher Sandrolini, a U.S. diplomat to the Holy See, that demonstrates the Vatican’s clandestine approval of genetically modified crops.

“Recent conversations between Holy See officials and USAID and EB representatives visiting the Vatican confirmed the cautious acceptance of biotech food by the Holy See. Vatican officials asserted that the safety and science of genetically modified foods would eventually be non-issues at the Holy See” reads the memo.

GMO Journal’s Deniza Gertsberg writes that while in 2000, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences gave its preliminary approval, and more recently, some of its vocal members have openly endorsed GMOs, the Holy See, in its public communiqués, always went the way of Switzerland.

Despite the transmission’s startling dismissal of scientific research that points to GMO’s dangerous health and environmental impacts, it does acknowledge that their widespread adoption would be disastrous for farmers, especially those in developing nations.

“…the main issue for the Church will continue to be the economic angle of biotech food. Many in the Church fear that these technologies are going to make developing-world farmers more dependent on others, and simply serve to enrich multi-national corporations,” the memo continues.

Gertsberg writes that rather than shocking anti-GMO advocates, the cables merely “reaffirmed what many already believed, namely that the Vatican supported GMOs and that a more hearty endorsement from the Holy See is likely in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, WikiLeaks cemented for many the understanding that US diplomats around the world are pushing GM crops as a strategic government and commercial imperative.”

Image: Vatican Gardens, circa 2009. Credit: Flickr - NH53

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DENNY G.

7:30AM PDT on Apr 11, 2012

Damn Vatican & the Catholic Church for going against the interests & welfare of the people :((

April 11
send a green star

dean m.

2:34AM PDT on May 28, 2011

It is scary to me that the Pope is on board with GMO's. This makes me feel that leaving that unholy church was very much the right thing to do.

May 28
send a green star

Norma V.

5:08AM PDT on Mar 17, 2011

The Vatican is a nation unto itself. Endorse GMOs? It seems the Vatican endorses whatever keeps up an appearance of piety and clean living.

March 17
send a green star

Laurie S.

9:11PM PST on Feb 10, 2011

You don't think Pope Benedict is a problem? Watch him smile and wave at a crowd on any video. The smile never reaches his eyes.

February 10
send a green star

Past Member .

7:37PM PST on Feb 1, 2011

The Pope owns US and we are the peasants,
'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HfsKO22Ycc&NR=1

February 1
send a green star

Cat L.

9:01AM PST on Feb 1, 2011

I'm amazed at all the figging conspiracy theories! The Catholic Church is NOT out to take over the world! Use some frigging common sense! I doubt Pope Benedict is going to poison the world with modied crops.

Thaddeus R.

7:01PM PST on Jan 29, 2011

I was raised as a Roman Catholic. I am fairly religious (I attend mass semi-regularly and pray daily to give thanks for my many blessings and to pray for those who are less fortunate than I am) and definitely spiritual. But for years now, I've been saying that I believe in the Roman Catholic Faith but not their (organized) religion. Now, with their political agenda exposed, it's time for me to extricate myself from the religion entirely. I now consider myself to be a Christian. Nothing more, nothing less. And God willing, we will see the fall of Roman Catholicism and tyranny of every kind (including the FDA, EPA, Monsanto, Big Pharma, etc.). Dear God, PLEASE bless us and help us defeat the evil powers that be.