The following is an excerpt, the "Conclusions", from a research paper titled, "A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health". It is authored by three academics/researchers from universities / research institutes in France, viz. Committee of Research and Information on Genetic Engineering (CRIIGEN) and Universities of Caen and Rouen.
The paper has been carried by the the *International Journal of Biological Sciences*, 2009; 5(7):706-726; available at < http://www.biolsci.org/v05p0706.htm>. Quote The researchers have concluded that all the 3 GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms: NK 603, MON 810 and MON 863] that they have studied contain novel pesticide residues that will be present in food and feed and may pose grave health risks to those consuming them. They have, therefore, called for immediate prohibition on the import and cultivation of these GMOs and have strongly recommended additional long-term (up to 2 years) and multi-generational animal feeding studies on at least three species to provide true scientifically valid data on the acute and chronic toxic effects of GM crops, feed and foods. CRIIGEN denounces in particular the past opinions of EFSA, AFSSA and CGB, committees of European and French Food Safety Authorities, and others who spoke on the lack of risks on the tests which were conducted just for 90 days on rats to assess the safety of these three GM varieties of maize. While criticizing their failure to examine the detailed statistics, CRIIGEN also emphasizes the conflict of interest and incompetence of these committees to counter expertise this publication as they have already voted positively on the same tests ignoring the side effects. Unquote [Source: <http://www.biosafety-info.net/article.php?aid=654>.] As regard the laboratory tests, the paper avers: *The three animal feeding studies were conducted in two different laboratories and at two different dates; at Monsanto (Missouri, USA) for NK 603 and MON 810 (June 7, 2000) and at Covance Laboratories Inc. (Virginia, USA) for MON 863 (March 14, 2001) on behalf of Monsanto. * And also:* Greenpeace contributed to the start of the investigations by funding first statistical analyses in 2006, the results were then processed further and evaluated independently by the authors.* The paper concludes: *Our analysis highlights that the kidneys and liver as particularly important on which to focus such research as there was a clear negative impact on the function of these organs in rats consuming GM maize varieties for just 90 days.* These findings, it goes without saying, are highly significant in the context of powerful lobbies relentlessly pushing for genetically modified food and non-food crops. Also appended below a report on the ongoing protests against the introduction of Bt. Brinjal for commercial cultivation in India. Sukla I/II. http://www.biolsci.org/v05p0706.htm 5. Conclusions Patho-physiological profiles are unique for each GM crop/food, underlining the necessity for a case-by-case evaluation of their safety, as is largely admitted and agreed by regulators. It is not possible to make comments concerning any general, similar subchronic toxic effect for all GM foods. However, in the three GM maize varieties that formed the basis of this investigation, new side effects linked to the consumption of these cereals were revealed, which were sex- and often dose-dependent. Effects were mostly concentrated in kidney and liver function, the two major diet detoxification organs, but in detail differed with each GM type. In addition, some effects on heart, adrenal, spleen and blood cells were also frequently noted. As there normally exists sex differences in liver and kidney metabolism, the highly statistically significant disturbances in the function of these organs, seen between male and female rats, cannot be dismissed as biologically insignificant as has been proposed by others [4]. 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. Furthermore, any side effect linked to the GM event will be unique in each case as the site of transgene insertion and the spectrum of genome wide mutations will differ between the three modified maize types. 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. Our analysis highlights that the kidneys and liver as particularly important on which to focus such research as there was a clear negative impact on the function of these organs in rats consuming GM maize varieties for just 90 days. II. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Countrywide-protest-against-Bt-brinjal/articleshow/5518257.cms Countrywide protest against Bt brinjalSwati Mathur, TNN, 31 January 2010, 04:53am IST * * NEW DELHI: The voices against Bt Brinjal are steadily growing louder. In a latest movement against the genetically modified crop, people from across the country gathered to observe a day-long fast, on Martyr's day, protesting against Bt Brinjal. Basing their arguments on Mahatma Gandhi's `Hind Swaraj', crowds protested losing out their `hard-won independence' to private sector enterprises in the `business of hybrid'. "Our message is to remember the Mahatma, stop Bt Brinjal and protect India's seed and food sovereignty," said Kavita Kruganti, member, Kheti Virasat Mission. In Kerala, agriculture minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran also joined the fast. Crowds also gathered in Bihar, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. A rally was also taken out in Ahmedabad on the occasion. "We fast to stop insertion of genetic material that makes the brinjal plant produce Bt toxin and because the committee that cleared Bt Brinjal violated both science and ethics,'' said Sharib Hussain, a 20-year-old student. -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an email to greenyo...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to greenyouth+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB.
