The Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods FDA

The Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods

FDA declares GMOs no different “The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way. ” “Statement of Policy” May 29, 1992 Food and Drug Administration

In reality, agency scientists warned of: llergens Toxins New diseases Nutritional problems

Person in charge of FDA’s GMO policy ignored scientists’ warnings Michael Taylor • Former Monsanto attorney • Later Monsanto vice president • Now back at FDA as US Food Safety Czar

GMOs are Inherently Unsafe The GM process creates massive collateral damage in the plant, which can cause sideeffects

GM potatoes damaged rats (10 or 110 days) Rats developed • Potentially precancerous cell growth in the digestive tract • Smaller brains, livers and testicles • Partial atrophy of the liver, and • Immune system damage Lancet, 1999

Stomach lining Non-GM GM

Soon after GM soy was introduced into the UK, soy allergies skyrocketed by 50%. York Laboratory

Possible causes for increase allergies § More herbicide residues § Increased soy allergen § New potential allergen? § Digestive enzymes reduced § Roundup Ready protein may be allergenic

The Only Human Feeding Study on GM Crops Genes transfer to intestinal bacteria and continue to function

Mice and rabbits fed Roundup Ready soy Altered cells, enzymes, and/or gene expression in livers, kidneys, pancreas, and hearts Higher metabolic activity (toxic insult)

Mice livers Hepatocyte Nuclei Control GM soy fed

Rat Livers А, B – control group C, D – GM soy fed A C B D

Rat testicles Control GM soy fed Control GM soy

Mice fed GM soy Testicle cells changed (including young sperm) Embryos of GM-fed parents had altered DNA expression European Journal of Histochemistry, 2004, and in press

Death of baby rats, born of GM soy fed mothers >50% 10% Control Irina Ermakova, 2005 -2007 GM-soy Non-GM soy

19 -day old rats Larger rat is from control group; smaller from GM-soy group. Irina Ermakova, 2005 -2007

Bt in crops §Built-in insecticide

Bt in crops §Thousands of times more concentrated than the spray §Designed to be more toxic §Has properties of a known allergen

Mice ate Bt corn (30/90 days) Multiple immune system responses Government of Italy November 2008

Mice ate Bt corn Increased infertility and lower birth weight Government of Austria November 2008

Rats ate Bt corn (90 days) Indicators for liver and kidney toxicity, blood pressure problems, allergies, infections or disease, higher blood sugar, and anemia Monsanto study

Laborers in India report the same reactions to Bt cotton as those who were sprayed Itching, eruptions, wounds, discoloration

Bt cotton Thousands of sheep died after grazing on Bt cotton plants

Indian buffaloes Reproductive Problems: Prolapsed uterus, premature deliveries, abortions, infertility Sudden death

Bt corn, reports… Farmers report deaths: Cows, horses, buffalos, chickens

Bt corn, reports… Farmers say pigs and cows became sterile

If Bt genes transfer They might turn our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories

L-tryptophan produced by GM bacteria Killed about 100 and caused 5, 000 -10, 000 to fall sick

The epidemic was discovered because the disease 1. Was new, with unique symptoms 2. Acute 3. Came on quickly

Current Assessments No post-marketing surveillance No human clinical trials No proper evaluation of plant changes or effects Approvals based on: • disproved or untested assumptions • industry studies

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine “Animal studies indicate serious health risks … including infertility, immune dysregulation, accelerated aging, dysregulation of genes associated with cholesterol synthesis, insulin regulation, cell signaling, and protein formation, and changes in the liver, kidney, spleen and gastrointestinal system. ”

Many animals avoided GM feed when given a choice

How do we stop the genetic engineering of our food supply?

Tipping point for rejection of GM crops

Campaign for Healthier Eating in America www. Responsible. Technology. org

www. Non. GMOShopping. Guide. com