Meta-analysis claiming to demonstrate on-farm benefits of GM crops critiqued

http://www.gmwatch.org/index.php/news/archive/2014/15789-meta-
analysis-claiming-to-demonstrate-on-farm-benefits-of-gm-crops-critiqued

28 November 2014.

A heavily promoted meta-analysis claiming to demonstrate the benefits of GM crops, especially in developing countries, does no such thing, writes Prof Jack Heinemann
EXCERPT: It is very difficult to get solid indicators of the actual contribution GM cropping makes in places in which it is being used. This is why I question the unequivocal statements made by some scientists about benefits. Their conclusions appear to be uncoupled from the strength of the data.    [Find the three charts at the original link.]

Correlation is not causation

Jack Heinemann
Rightbiotech, 27 Nov 2014
http://rightbiotech.tumblr.com/post/103665842150/correlation-is-not-causation

* A heavily promoted meta-analysis claiming to demonstrate the benefits of GM crops especially in developing countries does no such thing.
* It fails to separate from the GM trait the effects of confounding variables that are known to dramatically affect all measured parameters.
* Commentators are presenting misleading interpretations.