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News :: Agriculture |
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You are the Lab Rat for Monsanto's GMO corn |
Current rating: 0 |
by Organic Consumers Association
Email: organic (nospam) organicconsumers.org (unverified!) |
31 May 2005
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A recent study shows "harmful health impacts on lab rats that were fed Monsanto’s root worm resistant corn (Mon 863), now grown and sold in the US." The London Independent reports that "secret research carried out by Monsanto shows that rats fed the modified corn had smaller kidneys and variations in the composition of their blood.” |
Organic Consumers Association Reacts to Monsanto’s Latest GMO Deception
WASHINGTON, DC – Consumers have another reason to avoid foods laced with genetically modified organisms (GMO). Yesterday, European news outlets reported harmful health impacts on lab rats that were fed Monsanto’s root worm resistant corn (Mon 863), now grown and sold in the US. Monsanto, the world’s largest producer of genetically modified corn, soybeans, canola and cotton, appears to have disregarded their own research on the harmful impacts of their GMO corn on rats. According to the London based Independent which broke the story, “…secret research carried out by Monsanto shows that rats fed the modified corn had smaller kidneys and variations in the composition of their blood.”
“This news couldn’t have come at worse time for Monsanto, which is already facing EU consumer rejection of their products due to concerns over the health and environmental hazards of GMOs,” says Ronnie Cummins, Executive Director of the Organic Consumer’s Association. “European labeling laws require GMO ingredients to be listed, making it easy to avoid them, but American consumers are unwitting guinea pigs, since no such labeling is required. The only way to be sure you are not eating GMO ingredients is to buy certified organic products.”
Monsanto’s latest deception stems from submitting only a summary of a 1,139 page report on Mon 863 corn to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The summary left out details on abnormalities in rats that were fed the GMO corn, versus those that were fed conventional corn. “We demand Monsanto release the full report on the rat study which is being withheld from the science and medical community because it is considered to be so-called confidential business information,” says Cummins. “Monsanto should prioritize human health rather than their profits.”
This isn’t the first time GMO foods have been shown to impact the health of rats. A highly-publicized UK study on rats fed GMO potatoes in 1998 showed similar harmful impacts. At the moment Mon 863 corn is not approved for importation to Europe, but is under consideration by EFSA for approval. Two GMO ingredients have been approved by the EFSA in the past year, while over ten proposed GMO foods have not been approved for importation during the same period.
“Since the Europeans lifted import bans on all GMO’s, there has been increased scrutiny of GMO crops being grown in the U.S.,” says Cummins. “Most Americans don’t know the untested and unlabeled GMO foods they are eating are considered unsafe in Europe.” |
See also:
http://www.organicconsumers.org
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This work is in the public domain |
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Re: You are the Lab Rat for Monsanto's GMO corn |
by skeptical
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
03 Jun 2005
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I don't trust an organic produce association to play judge and jury on this subject. Give us facts. Who reviewed the safety data for this GM corn here in the U.S.? Is a rat study valid? Demand full disclosure by all parties. |
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Re: You are the Lab Rat for Monsanto's GMO corn |
by realist
mwilson5 (nospam) csulb.edu (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
21 Jun 2005
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Why is it that in the U.S. people are living now longer than ever? Is it medical technology or is it the abundance of fruit and vegetables now availible all year long? I eat G.M. food or at leats I believe I do since food is not marked and I am considered very healthy. However, I am a vegetarian and do not eat fast food etc.... Even with the pesticides we have today insects still eat about 1/4 of crops grown. Feel lucky your were concieved an such an affluent country For third world countries GM. food is essential to their survival and development. Countries that have stable crops and food production seem to flourish into productive nations.Think of the worst possible situation and the best possible situation G.M. do for the world and there is your answer on why G.M. should be highly tested, approved and distributed throught the world. Thats my 10 cents |
