Challenging the claims by the biotech industry that genetically modified foods are safe for human health and the environment, a new report presents evidence to the contrary and stirs up controversy, as its authors are genetic engineers themselves.

While pressure by multinational corporations purporting that genetically modified crops could help to eradicate hunger and provide fuel alternatives to petroleum lean heavily on government agencies, the debate over the safety of GMOs has been steadily intensifying. A recent petition submitted to the FDA included the most signatures in the agency's history, and the nearly 1 million signatures gathered in California could land the labeling issue on the November 2012 ballot. Now, the American Medical Association could issue a safety concern about GMOs.