Study Finds Genetically Modified Corn Causing Organ Damage To Rats
.jpg)
Courtesy of Vincent Fernando at Clusterstock/The Business Insider
A new study concludes that some varieties of genetically modified corn may cause organ damage.
Regardless of which specific varieties of genemtic modification might be dangerous, if serious health risks were proven for any genetically modified type of food, it could hit all types since the level of regulatory scrutiny would likely increase ten-fold.
It would most certainly be bad news for Monsanto (MON).
Journal of Biological Sciences: We therefore conclude that our data strongly suggests that these GM maize varieties induce a state of hepatorenal toxicity. This can be due to the new pesticides (herbicide or insecticide) present specifically in each type of GM maize, although unintended metabolic effects due to the mutagenic properties of the GM transformation process cannot be excluded [42]. All three GM maize varieties contain a distinctly different pesticide residue associated with their particular GM event (glyphosate and AMPA in NK 603, modified Cry1Ab in MON 810, modified Cry3Bb1 in MON 863). These substances have never before been an integral part of the human or animal diet and therefore their health consequences for those who consume them, especially over long time periods are currently unknown….
In conclusion, our data presented here strongly recommend that additional long-term (up to 2 years) animal feeding studies be performed in at least three species, preferably also multi-generational, to provide true scientifically valid data on the acute and chronic toxic effects of GM crops, feed and foods.
We’d be curious to see how this pans out, it seems to be far from a done deal given that they recommend doing further study in order to achieve ‘true scientifically valid data’. It also seems that the problem may have had more to do with the pesticides involved rather than the actual act of modifying genes.
As always, one needs to balance the benefits vs. the cost of any technology. We’re reminded of how food preservatives came under fire as unhealthy additives, without regard to the fact that large amounts of people used to die on a regular basis from food poisoning before their broad usage. Still, if the danger is real, it should obviously be investigated. Hopefully, for the sake of agricultural productivity, there aren’t any major health risks.
(Via Naked Capitalism)
