STUDY POINTS TO HEALTH PROBLEMS
WITH GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS
www.latimes.com -
In what is bound to stoke the debate over the labeling of genetically
modified foods, scientists in France have published a controversial
study reporting that rats fed corn that was engineered to withstand
spraying with the herbicide Roundup developed health problems, including
tumors and trouble with their livers and kidneys. The study, which
appeared Wednesday in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, was
embraced by opponents of genetically altered foods, including backers of
Proposition 37, which if approved by California voters in November
would require most foods with genetically modified ingredients to bear a
label. But the report was sharply criticized by geneticists, who cited
its small size and other methodological problems. The research was led
by Gilles-Eric Seralini, a professor at the University of Caen in France
and founder of the nonprofit Committee for Research and Independent
Information on Genetic Engineering. It is the latest in a series of
papers by his group to report abnormalities linked to genetically
modified organisms, or GMOs.
The
authors studied 200 rats clustered into groups of 10. Some groups ate
chow containing various quantities of Monsanto Co.'s Roundup-resistant
corn; others ate the same chow and were fed Roundup in drinking water
with it. Still other rats received chow made from conventional corn,
with various levels of Roundup. During the two-year study, the
scientists found that up to 50% of the male rats and 70% of females that
ate genetically modified corn, Roundup or both died prematurely. That
compared to a 30% (male) and 20% (female) mortality rate among control
rats that ate conventional corn without Roundup. The scientists also
reported greater numbers - and earlier development - of mammary tumors
in female rats exposed to genetically modified corn, Roundup or both
than were found in control animals. The authors also reported organ
abnormalities, including 2.5 to 5 times higher rates of liver problems
in animals exposed to genetically modified corn, Roundup or both. The
findings “present an overwhelming case for further research” as well as
for labeling and reform of regulations about genetically modified food,
Seralini said in a news conference that was organized by Britain's
Sustainable Food Trust, a nonprofit group that campaigns for changes in
the food supply.
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In
a study that prompted sharp criticism from other experts, French
scientists said that rats fed on Monsanto's genetically modified corn or
exposed to its top-selling weedkiller suffered tumors and multiple
organ damage. Scientists found that the rats fed on a diet containing
the herbicide-tolerant GM maize, or given water containing Roundup
considered safe in drinking water and GM crops in the US, died sooner
than the rats fed just the standard diet. The researchers also described
late-developing, large mammary tumours and severe liver and kidney
damage. The tumours, although not metastasizing (spreading to other
parts of the body) were said to be big enough (as big as ping-pong
balls) to impede organ function in the affected rats. When man “plays
God” by manipulating the DNA of crops with genetic engineering
techniques, lots of unfavorable unwanted results may occur.
WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?
In
new fields of research, scientists almost invariably promise
beneficial, often sensational, future results. However, the past track
record of such promises shows counterproductive, often devastating,
consequences. For example, genetically-modified (GM) food was
advertised as the solution to world hunger, but it ended up causing
hunger-deaths of hundreds of farmers in Maharashtra, India. These
farmers were captivated by promises of pest-resistant seeds and high
yields, but when the pests developed resistance to the seeds, the yields
failed utterly. Moreover, as the GM seeds are designed to not give
seeds for the next sowing, the farmers had no chance of a yield in the
next season either. Afflicted by poverty, hunger and hopelessness,
multitudes of them committed suicide. Alarmed by the possible adverse
consequences of GM food, the European Union has outright banned their
use and concerned NGOs worldwide are striving for similar curbs.
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