Published on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 by The Daily Mail/UK
Why Eating GM Food Could Lower Your Fertility
by Sean Poulter
Genetically modified corn has been linked to a threat to fertility in an
official study that could deliver a hammer blow to controversial
'Frankenstein
Food'.
Most of the research on GM crop safety has been conducted by biotech
companies,
such as Monsanto, rather than outside independent laboratories.
A long-term feeding trial commissioned by the Austrian government found mice
fed on GM corn or maize had fewer offspring and lower birth rates.
The trial has triggered a call from Greenpeace for a recall of all GM food
crops currently on the market worldwide on the grounds of the threat to
human
health.
Most of the research on GM crop safety has been conducted by biotech
companies,
such as Monsanto, rather than outside independent laboratories.
GM advocates have argued that the fact the US population has been eaten some
types of GM food for more than a decade is proof of its safety.
However, these reassurances have been turned on their head by the study
commissioned by the Austrian Ministries for Agriculture and Health, which
was
presented yesterday at a scientific seminar in Vienna.
Professor Dr Jurgen Zentek, Professor for Veterinary Medicine at the
University of Vienna and lead author of the study, said a GM diet effected
the
fertility of mice.
GM expert at Greenpeace International, Dr Jan van Aken, said: 'Genetically
Engineered food appears to be acting as a birth control agent, potentially
leading to infertility.
'If this is not reason enough to close down the whole biotech industry once
and
for all, I am not sure what kind of disaster we are waiting for.
'Playing genetic roulette with our food crops is like playing Russian
roulette
with consumers and public health.'
The Austrian scientists performed several long-term feeding trials with
laboratory mice over a course of 20 weeks.
One of the studies was a so-called reproductive assessment by continuous
breeding (RACB) trial, in which the same parent generation gave birth to
several litters of baby mice.
The parents were fed either with a diet containing 33per cent of GM maize, a
hybrid of Monsanto's MON 810 and another variety, and a normal feed mix..
The team found changes that were 'statistically significant' in the third
and
fourth litters produced by the mice given a GM diet. There were fewer
offspring, while the young mice were smaller.
Prof Zentek said there was a direct link between the changes seen and the GM
diet.
A press release from the Austrian Agency for Health and Nutrition, said the
group of mice given a diet of genetically engineered corn saw a significant
change in fertility.
It said: 'The number of litters and offspring decreased in the GE-fed
group
faster than in the control. In the GE-fed group more females remained
without
litters than in the control group.'
Monsanto press offices in the UK and USA were unable to provide a comment on
the findings.
CropGen, which speaks for the biotech industry, claims GM crops have been
accepted as safe by Government authorities on both sides of the Atlantic.
British scientists recently unveiled a GM purple tomato they claimed could
help
people avoid developing cancer. The tomato is high in antioxidants -
naturally
found in other fresh produce such as blueberrys, cranberries and carrots -
which are seen as a protection against ill health.
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:36:48 -0600
From: "Jeffrey Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Geactivists] Release-- Austrian Government Study Confirms
Genetically Engineered (GM) Crops Threaten Human Fertility and
Health
Safety
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
IRT logos_2 lines_HighRes.jpg IssueTalk Communications
Media Contact: NJ Jaeger
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phone: +1-310-377-0915
Austrian Government Study Confirms Genetically Engineered (GM) Crops
Threaten Human Fertility and Health Safety
Advocates Call for Immediate Ban of All GM Foods and GM Crops
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Los Angeles, CA.) - A long-term feeding
<http://www.ages.at/ueber-uns/presse/pressemeldungen/klarstellung-zu-neuen-e
r> study commissioned by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety,
managed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, Family and Youth, and
carried out by Veterinary University Vienna, confirms genetically engineered
(GM) corn seriously affects reproductive health in mice. Non-GMO advocates,
who have warned about this infertility link along with other health risks,
now seek an immediate ban of all GM foods and GM crops to protect the health
of humankind and the fertility of women around the world.
Feeding mice with genetically engineered corn developed by the US-based
Monsanto Corporation led to lower fertility and body weight, according to
the study conducted by the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Lead
author of the study Professor Zentek said, there was a direct link between
the decrease in fertility and the GM diet, and that mice fed with non-GE
corn reproduced more efficiently.
In the study, Austrian scientists performed several long-term feeding trials
over 20 weeks with laboratory mice fed a diet containing 33% of a GM variety
(NK 603 x MON 810), or a closely related non-GE variety used in many
countries. Statistically significant litter size and pup weight decreases
were found in the third and fourth litters in the GM-fed mice, compared to
the control group.
The corn is genetically engineered with genes that produce a pesticidal
toxin, as well as genes that allow it to survive applications of Monsanto's
herbicide Roundup.
A book by author Jeffrey M. Smith, Genetic Roulette, distributed to members
of congress last year, documents 65 serious health risks of GM products,
including similar fertility problems with GM soy and GM corn: Offspring of
rats fed GM soy showed a five-fold increase in mortality, lower birth
weights, and the inability to reproduce. Male mice fed GM soy had damaged
young sperm cells. The embryo offspring of GM soy-fed mice had altered DNA
functioning. Several US farmers reported sterility or fertility problems
among pigs and cows fed on GM corn varieties. Additionally, over the last
two months, investigators in India have documented fertility problems,
abortions, premature births, and other serious health issues, including
deaths, among buffaloes fed GM cottonseed products.
The principle GM crops are soy, corn, cottonseed and canola. GM sugar from
sugar beets will also be introduced before year's end.
Mr. Smith, who is also the Executive Director of the Institute for
Responsible Technology says, "GM foods are likely responsible for several
negative health trends in the US. The government must impose an immediate
ban on these dangerous crops." He says, "Consumers don't need to wait for
governmental action. They can download a free Non-GMO Shopping Guide at
www.HealthierEating.org."
Monsanto press offices in the UK and USA were unable to provide a comment on
the findings for journalists yesterday.
The Institute for Responsible Technology's Campaign for Healthier Eating in
America mobilizes citizens, organizations, businesses, and the media, to
achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection of genetically modified
foods.
The Institute educates people about the documented health risks of GMOs and
provides them with healthier non-GMO product choices.
The Institute also informs policy makers and the public around the world
about the impacts of GMOs on health, environment, the economy, and
agriculture, and the problems associated with current research, regulation,
corporate practices, and reporting.
###
Institute For Responsible Technology
Media Contact: NJ Jaeger
Expert Contact: Jeffrey M. Smith
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phone: +1-310-377-0915
Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
Corporate Communication: Univ.-Doz. Ingrid Kiefer
Tel: +43 50 555-25000; E-Mail: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Links
Austrian Study:
<http://www.ages.at/ueber-uns/presse/pressemeldungen/klarstellung-zu-neuen-e
r>
http://www.ages.at/ueber-uns/presse/pressemeldungen/klarstellung-zu-neuen-er
Institute for Responsible Technology: http://responsibletechnology.org
Non-GMO Shopping Guide:
<http://www.responsibletechnology.org/DocumentFiles/144.pdf>
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/DocumentFiles/144.pdf
Genetic Roulette: http://www.geneticroulette.com
--
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the
fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true
science...
Albert Einstein
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