An advocacy group has warned that the signing of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) may open the floodgates of genetically modified food into Malaysia.

Bantah TPPA co-founder Anas Alam Faizli said that the TPPA will reportedly require countries to accept the growing of GM food in their countries.

"All genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling will (also) be outlawed," warned Anas in a statement today.

Anas warned that genetically modified food, which creates unstable genes that cannot exist in normal circumstances, could potentially be detrimental to the public's health.

He cited a research showing that rats which were forced-feed GM tomatoes developed stomach lesions and seven out of 40 of them died within two weeks.

Furthermore, he added that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had also conceded that there is no certainty of GM food was safe..

More worrying, said Anas, was that US-based Monsanto, the world's largest GM seed company, has a strong interest and influence in the negotiations of the TPPA.

Patent rights

Also, he said Monsanto has patented their crops and if their seeds were to contaminate other farms, the crops there may also be subjected to the company's patent rights.

Anas appealed to the Malaysian government to heed the 75 "red lines" his movement has outlined.

"If and when Malaysia signs the TPPA without the 'red lines' being taken out,  Malaysians may end up consuming genetically modified foods.

"Our farmers may be put out of business through Monsanto and other GMO corporations enforcing their patent rights," warned Anas.

Anas added that the "red lines" are non-negotiable terms to ensure TPPA will be a free and fair trade agreement.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Bali, said that Malaysia will not be forced into signing the TPPA on unfair terms and urged flexibility.