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Organ Damage In Rats From Monsanto GMO Corn
jenningsthecat writes "A study published in December 2009 in the International Journal of Biological Sciences found that three varieties of Monsanto genetically-modified corn caused damage to the liver, kidneys, and other organs of rats. One of the corn varieties was designed to tolerate broad-spectrum herbicides, (so-called 'Roundup-ready' corn), while the other two contain bacteria-derived proteins that have insecticide properties. The study made use of Monsanto's own raw data. Quoting from the study's 'Conclusions' section: '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.' Given the very high prevalence of corn in processed foods, this could be a real ticking time bomb. And with food manufacturers not being required by law to declare GMO content, I think I'll do my best to avoid corn altogether. Pass the puffed rice and pour me a glass of fizzy water!"
The distinction is irrelevant. The issue with GM modified crops is that it is exactly equivalent to adding a new chemical to a food stuff. The DNA is modified to produce a new protein that acts as an insecticide; which may or may not be dangerous to human health. It is a fair and reasonable response as a consumer, to be informed that the food-stuff I am consuming contains new chemicals. Traditional food-stuffs have passed the gamut of 1000's of years of trial and error. Just as various additives to food stuffs have been found to have detrimental health effects, so to may added proteins. Is adequate testing performed? Can the GM crops be isolated? What happens when we subsquently discover that some GM crop causes significant long-term harm, but has spread beyond the intended bounds? When it comes to the extrodinarily complexity of a plants genome, we are like in-experienced crackers trying to remove copy protection. Sometimes it works, and sometimes we screwed something that only pops up much further along.