There is no 'independent' studies for GMOs. To purchase genetically modified seeds, a "customer" must sign an agreement that limits what can be done with them. This is because the seeds are considered ' intellectual property." There is no independent research because these scientists cannot cannot test the seeds on how they perform,cannot compare seeds from different companies and cannot examine whether crops grown from the seeds lead to unintended environmental side effects.

So what happens is only studies that Monsanto have approved will find themselves in a peer-reviewed journal. They can selectively deny permissions based on how ‘friendly’ or ‘hostile’ they think that scientist will be towards their seed or technology. That is the crux of the problem, we have to rely on their own selective studies. I think it is a leap to use intellectual property rights to deny research into products that impact food safety and environmental protection.