The Health Risks ofThe Health Risks ofGenetically Modified FoodsGenetically Modified Foods
FDA declares GMOs no different
“The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods
derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way.”
Food and Drug Administration
“Statement of Policy” May 29, 1992
Allergens
Toxins
New diseases
Nutritional problems
In reality, agency scientists warned of:
Person in charge of FDA’s GMO policy ignored scientists’ warnings
Michael Taylor•Former Monsanto attorney•Later Monsanto vice president•Now back at FDA as US Food Safety Czar
GMOs are Inherently UnsafeThe GM process The GM process creates massive creates massive collateral collateral damage in the damage in the plant, which can plant, which can cause side-cause side-effectseffects
GM potatoes
Rats developed• Potentially pre-
cancerous cell growth in the digestive tract
• Smaller brains, livers and testicles
• Partial atrophy of the liver, and
• Immune system damage
Lancet, 1999
damaged rats (10 or 110 days)
Stomach lining
Non-GM GM
Soon after GM soy
was introduced into the UK,
soy allergies
skyrocketed
by 50%.York Laboratory
Possible causes for increase allergies
More herbicide residues Increased soy allergen
New potential allergen? Digestive enzymes reduced
Roundup Ready protein may be allergenic
The The Only Only
Human Human Feeding Feeding
Study Study on GM on GM CropsCrops
Genes transfer to intestinal bacteria and continue to function
Mice and rabbits fed Roundup Ready soy
Altered cells, enzymes, and/or gene expression in livers, kidneys, pancreas, and hearts
Higher metabolic activity(toxic insult)
Mice livers
Control GM soy fed
Hepatocyte Nuclei
Rat LiversC, D – GM soy fedА, B – control group
A
B
C
D
Rat testicles
ControControll GM soy fedGM soy fed
GM soyGM soyControlControl
Mice fed GM soyTesticle cells changed(including young sperm)
Embryos of GM-fed parents had altered DNA expression
European Journal of Histochemistry, 2004, and in pressEuropean Journal of Histochemistry, 2004, and in press
Death of baby rats, born of Death of baby rats, born of GM soy fed mothersGM soy fed mothers
Control GM-soy
Non-GM soyIrina Ermakova, 2005-2007
>50%>50%
10%10%
19-day old ratsLarger rat is from control group;
smaller from GM-soy group. Irina Ermakova, 2005-2007
Bt in cropsBuilt-in insecticide
Bt in cropsThousands of times more concentrated than the sprayDesigned to be more toxicHas properties of a known allergen
Mice ate Bt corn (30/90 days)
Multiple immune system
responses
Government of Italy Government of Italy
November 2008November 2008
Mice ate Bt cornIncreased
infertility and lower birth
weight
Government of Government of AustriaAustria
November 2008November 2008
Rats ate Bt corn (90 days)
Indicators for liver and kidney
toxicity,blood pressure
problems, allergies,infections or disease,
higher blood sugar,and anemia
Monsanto Monsanto studystudy
Laborers in India report the same reactions to Bt cotton as those who were sprayedItching, eruptions, wounds, discoloration
Thousands of sheep died after grazing onBt cotton plants
Bt cotton
Indian buffaloesIndian buffaloes
Reproductive Problems: Prolapsed Reproductive Problems: Prolapsed uterus, premature deliveries, uterus, premature deliveries, abortions, infertilityabortions, infertility
Sudden deathSudden death
Bt corn, reports…
Farmers report deaths:Cows, horses, buffalos, chickens
Bt corn, reports…
Farmers say pigs and cows became sterile
If Bt If Bt genes genes
transfer transfer They might turn our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories
Killed about 100 and caused
5,000-10,000 to fall sick
L-tryptophan produced by GM bacteria
The epidemic The epidemic was discoveredwas discoveredbecause the because the diseasedisease
1. Was new, with unique symptoms
2. Acute3. Came on quickly
Current Assessments No post-
marketing surveillanceNo human clinical trials
No proper evaluation of plant changes or effects
Approvals based on:•disproved or untested assumptions•industry studies
The American Academy The American Academy of Environmental of Environmental
MedicineMedicine““Animal studies indicate serious health risks … including Animal studies indicate serious health risks … including infertility, immune dysregulation, accelerated aging, infertility, immune dysregulation, accelerated aging, dysregulation of genes associated with cholesterol dysregulation of genes associated with cholesterol synthesis, insulin regulation, cell signaling, and protein synthesis, insulin regulation, cell signaling, and protein formation, and changes in the liver, kidney, spleen and formation, and changes in the liver, kidney, spleen and gastrointestinal system.”gastrointestinal system.”
Many animals avoided GM feed when given a choice
How do weHow do we stop stop the the genetic genetic
engineering of engineering of ourour food food supplysupply??
Tipping point for rejection of GM
crops
Campaign for Healthier Eating in America
www.ResponsibleTechnology.org
www.NonGMONonGMOShoppingGuideShoppingGuide..com