Researchers: Serious Concern Over GM Crops
Pastor Dale Morgan
Researchers: Serious Concern Over GM Crops*
Added: Mar 21st, 2007 7:44 AM
By Ray Perdue
March 21, 2007 -- French researchers have raised serious concerns over
the use of genetically modified corn, MON863, which has been authorized
in the European Union for animal feed since 2005 and for human
consumption since 2006.
Scientists with the Committee for Independent Research and Genetic
Engineering, based at the University of Caen, have reported that rats
fed the GM corn developed liver and kidney damage. The researchers feel
that humans who consume the GM corn could develop similar symptoms.
The research focused on a particular form of GM corn, MON863, developed
by the American company, Monsanto. MON863 has been authorized for use in
Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, Mexico, the
Philippines and the United States.
The Committee's research was published on-line in the peer-review
journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, and was
entitled "New Analysis of a Rat Feeding Study with a Genetically
Modified Maize Reveals Signs of Hepatorenal Toxicity." Members of the
research team fed young adult rats diets that contained 11 to 30 percent
MON863 corn, or diets that contained non-GM corn.
When the study ended, the members of the research team state they found
signs of toxicity in the liver and kidneys of rats that were fed the
MON863 corn.
Professor, Gilles Eric Seralini, the lead author of the research, told
France's TF1 television station, "Our counter-evaluation show that there
are signs of toxicity and that nobody can say scientifically and
seriously that consumption of the transgenic maize MON863 is safe and
good for health."
Many groups, which oppose the use of GM crops, say that the technology
for genetic modification is unproven and is dangerous in the fact that
GM crops could contaminate other crops. Theresults of this research,
they feel, is reason enough to remove GM corn from the market.
Industry leaders, however, claim that the GM technology has a great
potential value, poses no threat to human or animal health and does not
contaminate other crops.
Monsanto France's Yann Fichet responded to the allegations raised by the
research by stating that MON863 has been verified as being just as safe
as regular corn, and that it is already authorized in more than ten
countries and in the European Union.
The issues over MON863 GM corn are just the latest in a growing number
of concerns with GM crops. Potential problems with other forms of
genetically modified grains have caused concern among activists and
researchers alike in recent months.
See:
"GMO corn causes liver, kidney problems in rats: study", Reuters,
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=A1018BD684F0C6A62F01999A180E764B
<http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=A1018BD684F0C6A62F01999A180E764B>
"New study shows GM corn can harm human organs—Greenpeace", b Delfin
Mallari Jr., Inquirer,
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=54850
<http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=54850>
"GM corn could cause liver and kidney damage", Daily Mail,
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=442381&in_page_id=1965
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=442381&in_page_id=1965>
"Serious concerns raised over Monsanto GM maize variety", by Stephen
Daniells,
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=74954-monsanto-greenpeace-mon-gm-maize
<http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=74954-monsanto-greenpeace-mon-gm-maize>