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!"

Comments

Re:forbes magazine's company of the year

[biryokumaru]

As noted above, genetically modified produce is quite possibly the very definition of agriculture. Please inform yourself.

Re:Oh God, not the bourbon.

[ArcherB]

So "The System Worked", uhh, how?

1. If you RTFA you'd see that Greenpeace lawyers had to go to great lengths and fight a mess of court battles to get at the data that shows this problem.

Greenpeace and the court system are part of the system.

2. This corn is out in the food supply, and its not impossible that cross-pollination/etc is causing it to spread to other food sources.
3. I have no way of determining in the supermarket if either of these 3 varieties, or varieties which include these proteins, are present in the package of corn I'm about to buy. ...
Doesn't it bug you that all those left wing GM-hating nutjobs were RIGHT?

It's out in the food supply? I guess we've had hundreds of deaths due to organ failure over this then. No? Well surely someone, somewhere in the world has gotten at least a runny nose over this. No? Well, if no one died, and no one has gotten sick and tons of this stuff has been eaten by humans all over the world, then I'd guess that this product is safe. So, no. Those GM-hating nutjobs are NOT right.

However, PETA may have a case.

This is _exactly_ what we feared would happen. Its not the idea of GM we hate. Its Monsanto. And You. And all the other idiots who don't take a second to think about what MIGHT happen if poor oversight is mixed with singleminded financial motivation.

What did you fear would happen? Tests would show that rats can't eat corn that releases Bt toxin? (Bt, by the way, is considered organic and completely harmless to humans, pets and beneficial insects. The problem is either in the quantity of Bt toxin fed to the rats or something else in the corn.)

I agree that tests should be done by a neutral entity to anything sold as food and this is proof that more is needed. However, the problem is that groups will use this as an example as to why it's better to let your people starve than to take a chance on any GM foods. That's the tragedy. It doesn't matter how safe a GM food may be, groups like Greenpeace will do what they can to oppose it. Frankly, I'm glad they do as they are part of the checks and balances that make the system work. However, they should not get their way, just as companies like Monsanto shouldn't get their way. We need a balance.

Re:Wary

[geekoid]

first off, it isn't research. It's a collection of cherry picked data and a poorly worded conclusion buy some very biased people.

Second, it's not a statistical fluke, it's a lie.