Árpád Pusztai and Ignacio Chapela have two things in common: they are both distinguished scientists and their careers are now in ruins. Both issued warnings against the sale of genetically modified food and both are now suffering the fate of those who criticise such work which is often dominated by financial interests rather than the public good. Director Bertram Verhaag’s exposé paints a vivid picture of a scientific community in danger of losing its objectivity in the face of pressure from the commercial sector.

Take Árpád Pusztai - while working at the Rowett Research Institute in Scotland, he conducted a series of experiments using rats in order to determine the long-term effects of GM food. His findings were shocking. The animals suffered from decreased metal capacity, shrunken genitalia and severely compromised immune systems. Having verified his findings, he published a damning paper which for two days made him a hero in the scientific community. Then U.K Prime Minster Tony Blair allegedly called the head of the institute and Pusztai was sacked after 30 years of distinguished service. Pusztai watched in horror as his cowed colleagues began to publish placatory paper after placatory paper in order to soften the impact of the politically damaging story.

Legislation allowing GM food to be developed and sold was duly passed worldwide.

As a consequence, huge corporations like Monsanto, whose pesticides cover a large proportion of the Unites States’ agricultural production, are being allowed to subject us to products whose effects have not been fully tested, or have even been found to be harmful.

Scientists under Attack: Science in the Magnetic Field of Money persuasively argues that the future of scientific freedom is under threat. Today, 95% of research into genetic engineering is paid for by industry interests and objectivity, supposedly the very core of scientific discipline, is a likely casualty.

So can we, the public, still trust our scientists?

Festivals & Awards

Awards:

Best of Show: Feature Documentary, Indie Fest USA 2010
Best Feature Documentary, Maverick Movie Awards 2010

Official Selection:

IDFA International Film Festival, 2009
Festival de Liberties Belgium, 2010
OXDOX International Film Festival, 2010
New York International Film Festival, 2010
Milano Film Festival, 2010
Planet in Focus Film Festival, 2010

Reviews

GM Watch.org:

“Billed as “a political thriller on GMOs and freedom of speech”, this film by the German film-maker Bertram Verhaag tells the stories of two scientists, Dr Arpad Pusztai and Dr Ignacio Chapela, whose research showed negative findings on GM foods and crops.”  Full Review >>>