Lies, damned lies and statistics

Anti-biotechnology advocates have again found a preliminary, laboratory experiment that appears on first glance to suggest that genetically modified foods may not be as healthy as their conventional cousins. This time the Center for Ethics and Toxics hopes that headlines around the world will warn shoppers that genetically modified soybeans contain fewer isoflavones, natural estrogenic compounds that may help treat menopausal symptoms or protect against some diseases, than conventional soybeans.

The researchers analyzed the phytoestrogen concentrations in two varieties of commercial soybeans that have been genetically modified to tolerate Monsanto's Roundup herbicide and in the same variety (isogenic) of conventional soybeans grown under similar conditions. "An overall reduction in phytoestrogen levels of 12-14 percent was observed in the genetically altered soybean strains," according to the abstract...