It's Not Nice to Fool Mother Nature
Health and
Environmental Impacts of Genetically Modified Foods. Dr. Amar Singh Azad xa.yimg.com/kq/.../Health+and+Environmental+Impact+of+GMOs.doc. I could not get this link to work so I will post the very relevant information I found on this page. The research can be found in the book Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey Smith.
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1996 England. GM
Potatoes damaged rats
England--Arpad
Pusztai--GM Potato-using Snowdrop Plant Gene-which produces an
insecticide called GNA Lectin.
Precancerous cell growth in digestive tract. Inhibited development of brains,
livers, testicles. Partial atrophy of liver. Enlarged-Pancreas- Intestines.
Immune system damage.
( Arpad Pusztai,
" Can science give us the tools for recognizing possible health risks of
GM foods," Nutrition and Health, 2002, Vol16 Pp 73-84)
The first GE food brought to the market was the FlavrSavr
tomato in 1993. Rats fed on GM tomatoes got bleeding stomachs,
several died. Three 28 day rat feeding studies on GM tomatoes by
Calgene Company--7 out of 20 developed stomach lesions leading to bleeding.
(Department of Veterinary Medicine,FDA,
correspondence June 16 1993. As quoted in Fred A. Hines, Memo to Dr. Linda
Kahl. " Flavr Savr Tomato:....Pathology Branch's Evaluation of Rats with
Stomach Lesions From 3-4 week Oral Toxicity Studies.....an Expert Panel
Report," Alliance for Bio-Integrity( June 16, 1993 )
http://www.biointegrity/FDAdocs/17/view1.html )
( Arpad Pusztai,
" Genetically Modified Foods: Are They a Risk to Human/ Animal
Health." June 2001 Action Bioscience
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/pusztai.html )
Mice fed on GM Bt Potatoes had intestinal damage.
Mice fed on GM Bt. Potatoes as well as Bt Toxin sprayed
potatoes. Both the groups showed abnormal and excessive cell growth ileum.
Regulators have allowed Bt food crops based on the assumption that Bt toxin
does not survive digestion in the stomach. They say that even if a small
portion survives, there are no receptors on the surface of mammalian intestinal
cells for Bt proteins-so they say Bt toxin can't harm mammalian tissues. The
results of this Mice Study has proved that Bt toxin can survive digestion and
can damage mammalian cells.
( R.I. Vazquez
Padron et.al."Cry1AcProtoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis sp. Kurstaki
HD73. Binds to Surface Proteins in the Mouse Small Intestine," Biochemical
and Biophysical Research Communications 271 (2000); 54-58.)
(Naggui H.Fares,
Adel K. El-Sayed," Fine structural Changes in the Ileum Fed on Endotoxin Treated
Potatoes and Transgenic Potatoes," Natural Toxins 6, no.6 (1998);219-233.)
Farmers report sterility in cows and pigs because of GM
Corn.
More than 20 farmers in USA reported that their cows and
pigs which were fed on GM Corn had low fertility rate, had pseudo pregnancies
and delivered bags of water instead of fetuses.
(Jerry Romson,
personal communications,2006)
In Haryana, India, a team of investigating
veterinarians report that buffalo consuming GM cottonseed suffer from
infertility, as well as frequent abortions, premature deliveries, and prolapsed
uteruses. Many adult and young buffalo have also died mysteriously.
Russian biologist
Alexey V. Surov says,"Without detailed tests, no one can pinpoint exactly
what is causing the reproductive travesties in Russian hamsters and rats,
Italian and Austrian mice, and livestock (fed on GMOs) in India and America.
And we can only speculate about the relationship between the introduction of
genetically modified foods in 1996, and the corresponding upsurge in low birth
weight babies, infertility, and other problems among the US population. But
many scientists, physicians, and concerned citizens don't think that the public
should remain the lab animals for the biotech industry's massive uncontrolled
experiment.
Soya Allergies skyrocketed in UK, soon after GM Soya was
introduced.
In 1999, Soya allergies in U K jumped from 10% to 15% of
the sample population. GM Soya was imported into the country shortly before
1999. Tests reveal that some individuals react differently to GM and Non-GM
Soya.
(Marktownsend," Why Soya is a hidden
destroyer," Letter EcosInform N2(2006):3-4)( Hye-Yung Yum et. al.,"
Genetically modified and Wild Soybeans: An immunologic comparison,"
Allergy and Asthma Proceedings 26, no. 3 (May-June 2005): 210-216(7).)
Twice the number of chickens died when fed.
Chickens were fed GM Corn for 42 days. Death Rate in GM
group was 7% while it was 3.5% in Non GM Group. Weight gain was also less in GM
group.
( S. Leeson, "
The Effect of Glufosinate Resistant Corn on Growth of Male Broiler Chicken,
"Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, University of Guelph, Report
No.A56379,July 12, 1996.)
GM Peas generated an allergic-type inflammatory response
in mice.
GM Peas generated a dangerous immune response in mice.
Commercialization of GM Peas was cancelled.
( V.E. Presscot,
et.al., Transgenic Expression of Bean r-Amylase Inhibitor in Peas Results in
Altered Structure and Immunogenicity," Journal of Agricultural Food
Chemistry (2005):53.)
Eyewitness Reports: Animals Avoid GMO.
When given the choice, several animals avoid GMO Food.
Animals that avoid GM Food include cows, pigs, geese, squirrels, deer, mice
etc.
( Mark Newhall,
" He Says Geese Don't Like Roundup Ready Beans," Farm Show 24, no. 5
(2000) plus Twelve more studies quoted
by Jeffrey Smith in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 1
No. 110-124).
GM Food Supplement killed about 100 people and caused
5000-10000 to fall sick.
One GM Food Supplement L-Tryptophan killed 100 people in
USA. The Company genetically engineered bacteria to produce the supplement more
economically. In 1989, dozens of Americans died and several thousands were
afflicted and impaired by a genetically
modified version of the food supplement L-tryptophan creating a debilitating ailment known as Eosinophilia Myalgia syndrome (EMS). A settlement of $2 billion dollars was paid by the manufacturer. Showa Denko,
Japan's third largest chemical company destroyed
evidence preventing a further investigation
( A.N. Mayeno and
G. J. Gleich, eds," Eosinophilia- Myalgia Syndrome and Tryptophan
Production: A Cautionary Tale." Trends Biotechnol 12 (1994):
346-352.)--also--www.seedsofdeception.com
( James Maryanski,
FDA Biotechnology Coordinator, speaking to investigator William E.
Crist's,"The Toxic L-Tryptophan Epidemic," see
www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/L-tryptophan/index.cfm )
( National
Eosinophilia- Myalgia Syndrome Network, position statement, approved quoted by
Gerald J.Gleich, Mayo Clinic and Foundation,May 25, 2000. )
( Edwin
M.Kilbourne, et al," Tryptophan Producedby Shova Denko Epidemic
Eosinophilia- Myalgia Syndrome,"Journal of Rheumatology Supplement 23, no.
46 (October, 1996): 81-92. )
GENE
INSERTION DISRUPTS THE DNA
The process of Genetic Engineering results
into wide spread mutations--in the transgene--in the neighboring DNA and in other areas of genome. These mutations
are far greater than previously thought. These mutations can lead to generation
of new toxins, allergies and altered nutritional values. The arguments of GM
advocates that the technology is precise, predictable and safe has now been
disproved.
Foreign Genes disrupt the DNA
at the insertion site.
(Ten studies quoted by Jeffrey Smith in his
book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 2 No. 5-14.)
Growing GM Crops using tissue culture can create hundreds
or thousands of DNA mutations
throughout the genome. Process of growing
plant cells into GM plants may create large number of mutations.
(Ten studies quoted
by Jeffrey Smith in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 2
No.15-24.)
Gene insertion creates genome-wide changes and many of
the changes are totally unpredictable. These massive changes may induce drastic
changes in the plants with serious health impacts.
(Eight studies
quoted by Jeffrey Smith in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,
SECTION 2 No.25-32.)
Promoter is a switch meant to turn on the transgene. Now
it has been proved that it can also switch on natural dormant genes. This may
produce a protein which is toxin, allergen, carcinogen or antinutrient.
(Five studies
quoted by Jeffrey Smith in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,
SECTION 2 No.33-37)
The promoter may switch on a dormant virus in plants. It is well known that when certain viruses infect an
organism they splice themselves in the host DNA.
These viral sequences can be passed on to next generations. These embedded
viral sequences get mutated over time and some may be intact also. If GM
promoter is inserted in the vicinity of the dormant virus, it might switch it
on resulting in virus production. This can result into a catastrophe.
(M.W.Ho and J.
Cummins," Hazards of transgenic plants containing the cauliflower mosaic
viral promoter: Authors' reply to critiques of " The Cauliflower Mosaic
Viral Promoter-a Recipe for Disaster," Microbial Ecology in Health and
Disease 12, no. 1, (26 September 2000):6-11)
The promoter might create genetic instability and
mutations.
Evidence suggests that the CaMV promoter, contains a
recombination hotspot. It may result in breakup and recombination of gene
sequences. This instability can create unpredictable results.
(Five studies
quoted by Jeffrey Smith in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,
SECTION 2 No.39-44)
Genetic Engineering activates mobile DNA called transposons which generate mutations.
In plant DNA
mobile elements called transposons move from place to place and can lead to
mutations. The tissue culture process used in genetic engineering activates
transposons, and is a major factor for genome-wide mutations. Transgene in GM
crops tend to be inserted near transposons leading to undesirable expression.
(Four studies
quoted by Jeffrey Smith in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,SECTION
2 No.45,46,47and 49)
Novel RNA may be harmful to humans and their offspring.
Small RNA sequences can regulate gene expression. RNA is
stable, survives digestion and can impact gene expression in mammals that
ingest it. The impact can be passed on to future generations. Genetic
modification introduces new DNA
combinations and mutations, which increase the likelihood that harmful
regulatory RNA will be accidentally produced.
(Twenty four studies quoted by Jeffrey Smith
in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 2 No. 50-73)
Genetically Modified proteins can alter natural chemicals
in plants.
Plants produce
thousands of chemicals which, if eaten may fight disease. Genome changes can
alter the composition and concentration of these chemicals. The changed
proteins may be poorer in nutrients or act as toxins. GM Soybeans, for example
produce less cancer fighting isoflavones. Most of such GM induced changes in
these natural products go undetected. A highly rich heritage of Medicinal
Plants of India can be destroyed in this process.
(Twenty studies
quoted by Jeffrey Smith in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,
SECTION 2 No.83-102)
GM Crops have altered levels of nutrients and toxin.
Numerous studies on GMOs reveal unintended changes in
nutrients, toxins, allergens and other small molecules. These demonstrate the
risks associated with unintended and unpredictable changes that occur due to
genetic engineering.
(Fifty two studies
quoted by Jeffrey Smith in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,
SECTION 2 No.103-154)
THE PROTEINS
PRODUCED BY TRANSGENE MAY
CREATE PROBLEMS
A gene from a Brazil Nut carried allergies into soybean.
A gene from Brazil Nut was inserted into soybeans. Tests
verified that people allergic to Brazil Nuts would react to the GM Soya. The
project was cancelled. The research
verified that genetic engineering can transfer allergic proteins into crops. In
1996, Brazil nut genes were spliced
into soybeans to provide the added protein methionine by Pioneer
Hi-Bred. Some individuals, however, are so allergic to this nut, they can go
into anaphylactic shock (similar to a severe bee sting reaction) which can lead
to death. Avoiding GM Allergens is impossible because people allergic to certain
food item avoid that food by reading the label, but GM foods are being sold
without labeling in USA and other countries. Imagine the situation as to what
could have happened if the GM Soya containing Brazil Nut gene was released into
the market as large number of food items contain soybeans.
( Six studies
quoted by Jeffrey Smith in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,
SECTION 3 No.1-6)
GM proteins in Soya, corn and papaya may be allergens.
Tests cannot guarantee that a GM protein will not cause
allergies. The WHO and FAO criteria to approve GM crops have been ignored in
the case of soybean, corn and papaya. The GM proteins from these foods are too
similar to known allergens. This evidence was ignored and these have been
approved.
( Seventeen studies
quoted by Jeffrey Smith in his book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,
SECTION 3 No.7-23)
GM soy might increase allergies in number
of ways.
* The impaired digestion might increase
allergic response to many proteins.
* The new allergen created by the GM process
might cause reactions. There is up to a sevenfold increase in the allergen
trypsin inhibitor in cooked soy.
* GM soy has higher levels of herbicide
residues, which might also trigger reactions.
* The Roundup Ready protein has properties of a
known allergen.
* In addition, since the soy transgene
transfers to human gut bacteria and continues to produce this protein, it is
possible that we have an allergen being continuously produced by our own
intestinal flora.
Pollen-sterilizing Barnase in GM crops may cause kidney
damag.
Corn and Canola
are engineered to produce a pollen sterilizing toxin called Barnase. Barnase is
toxic to human cells and causes kidney damage in rats.
(Eleven studies quoted by Jeffrey Smith in his
book Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 3 No.63-72)
High Lysine GM Corn contains increased toxins and may
retard growth.
Monsanto produced
corn with higher levels of Lysine. If consumed in high quantities, the elevated
lysine may adversely affect human health in unpredictable ways. The corn was
also found to contain increased amounts of known toxins and other potentially
harmful substances. The growth rate of chickens fed on high-lysine corn was
less than those fed on Non-GM Corn.
(Nine
studies-Jeffrey Smith--Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 3
No.73-81)
Cooking High Lysine Corn may create disease-promoting
toxins.
GM Corn variety
engineered to produce high levels of Lysine, when cooked and processed may
produce toxic compounds associated with symptoms of Alzheimer's, Diabetes,
Allergies, Kidney Disease, Cancer and Aging.
(Twenty three
studies-Jeffrey Smith-Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,SECTION 3 No.82-104)
Disease-resistant crops may promote human viruses and
other disease.
Viral genes
inserted into disease-resistant crops produce "viral" proteins.
Consuming these may suppress the body's defense against viral infections. The
proteins may also be toxic and lead to disease. Viral Transgenes produce RNA
that might influence gene expression in humans in unpredictable ways.
( Nine
studies-Jeffrey Smith-- Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 3
No.105-113)
The foreign
protein may be different than what is intended:
There are four
ways in which, the structure of the protein can influence its function and the
resultant impact on health:
i) amino acid
sequence of the protein
ii) how the
protein is folded
iii) how proteins
interact and create aggregate shapes
iv) content, shape
and location of other molecules such as sugars, phosphates or lipids that
become attached to the proteins.
Studies have shown that during the process of Genetic
Engineering all these alterations take place in unpredictable ways.
GM proteins may be misfolded or have added molecules.
Proteins expressed in a GM Plant may be processed
differently than in the donor organism. The changes may include misfolding or
molecular attachments-can be harmful in unpredicted ways. Consumption of GM
crops with misfolded proteins could trigger diseases, since they survive digestion and are distributed
throughout the body. The expression may take decades to appear. One of the most
well known examples of dangerous misfolded
proteins are prions (proteinaceous infectious particles), responsible
for Mad Cow Disease ( Bovine spongiform Encephalopathy) and deadly
Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease in humans. Current studies don't test adequately for
these changes.
(Jeffrey Smith --Genetic
Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 4 No. 1-12)
Transgenes may be altered during insertion.
During insertion,
the transgene may become truncated, rearranged or interspersed with extraneous
pieces of DNA. This altered
transgene may produce proteins with unpredictably harmful effects.
(Jeffrey Smith
--Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 4 No. 13-29)
Transgenes may be unstable and rearrange over time.
At least two studies showed that the sequence of inserted
genes was different than what was described by the company. This suggests that
transgenes are unstable and spontaneously rearrange. Such changes can have
unpredictable consequences for health. Thus safety assessments conducted on the
original protein do not apply to changed version.
(Jeffrey Smith
--Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 4 No. 30-41)
Transgenes may create more than one protein.
Genetic Engineering Technology was created based on the
outmoded notion that a single gene will
create only a single protein. Due to a process called alternative splicing, a
single gene can produce many different proteins.
(Jeffrey Smith
--Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 4 No. 42-44)
Environmental Stress and genetic disposition can
significantly change gene expression.
Environmental factors, natural and man-made substances
and genetic disposition of a particular plant can influence levels of transgene
expression and can cause unique health effects.
(Twelve
studies--Jeffrey Smith --Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 4 No.
45-56)
Genetic Engineering ignores and disrupts complex
relationships in the DNA.
The GM transformation process can disrupt networks of
genes that function together. Synthetic transgenes may act different than
natural ones. Multiple transgenes may interact in unpredicted ways.
(Five
studies--Jeffrey Smith --Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 4 No.
57-61)
TRANSFER OF GENES TO GUT BACTERIA, INTERNAL ORGANS
OR VIRUSES:
This has now been established that
transgenes jump from GM crops
to gut and soil bacteria. The results may be
disastrous.
Transgenes survive the digestive system and can wander.
The advocates of GM based industry claimed that genes
were destroyed during digestion and therefore gene transfer to gut bacteria
will not happen. Studies now prove that genes survive digestion both in humans
and animals. Not only that it has now been proved that from gut genes can pass
on to blood, various organs, can cross blood brain barrier and reach the fetus
through placenta.
(Fourteen studies--Jeffrey
Smith --Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 5 No. 3-16)
Transgene design facilitates transfer into gut bacteria.
Natural genes are
likely to get transferred between species and even kingdoms. But it is
uncommon. Transgenes are especially suited to overcome this barrier of
transfer. Short bacterial sequences and higher herbicide residues significantly
increase the transfer rate. Thus transgenes may readily travel from GM food to
gut bacteria.
(Nine
studies--Jeffrey Smith --Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 5 No.
17-25)
Transgenes may proliferate in gut bacteria over the
long-term.
Once transferred into gut bacteria, these bacteria with
transgene may be at a survival advantage. The reasons may be -- antibiotic and
herbicide resistance, promoters that function in bacteria and genetic
mechanisms that promote uncontrolled replication. Having infected our gut
bacteria, the foreign genes and the proteins they create may be harmful.
(Five
studies--Jeffrey Smith --Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 5 No.
26-30)
Transgenes transfer to human gut bacteria is confirmed :
The only human trial ever published confirmed that
genetic material from Roundup Ready Soya is transferred into the gut bacteria
in three of the seven human volunteers. The transferred portion of the
transgene was stable inside the bacteria and appeared to produce
herbicide-tolerant protein. There is no known way to treat such a condition,
which may be long term.
(Six
studies--Jeffrey Smith --Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 5 No.
31-36)
GM Foods might create antibiotic resistant diseases :
Antibiotic Resistant Marker (ARM)
genes have been inserted into most GM foods on the market. If ARM genes are transferred to pathogenic bacteria
inside the gut or mouth, they might create super diseases, untreatable with one or more types of
antibiotics. GM crops may accelerate the rise of antibiotic-resistant illnesses,
which are already responsible for death and disease.
(Twenty one
studies-Jeffrey Smith -Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,SECTION 5 No.37-57)
The Promoter can also get transferred and may switch on
random genes or viruses.
Contrary to earlier assumptions, the Ca MV Promoter does
function in human, animal and bacteria DNA.
This promoter does transfer into the DNA
of human gut bacteria and might also transfer into human DNA. Once transferred, it may switch on genes that
produce-- toxins, allergens or carcinogens; create genetic instability and in
higher organisms switch on dormant viruses.
(Twenty one
studies-Jeffrey Smith -Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,SECTION 5 No.58-71)
Genes may transfer to bacteria in the mouth or throat.
Bacteria in the mouth can take up free DNA. GM DNA
might similarly transfer from food. Breathing dust or pollen from GM crops
might cause genes to transfer to microorganisms in the respiratory tract. These
might impact health and possibly pass from person to person.
(Six
studies--Jeffrey Smith --Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 5 No.
74-79)
Transfer of viral genes into gut microorganisms may
create toxins and weaken viral defenses.
Proteins produced from viruses can be toxic and disable
viral defenses. If viral genes from GM crops transferred to gut microorganisms,
they might produce large quantities of potentially harmful proteins. Viral
transgene characteristics make transfer to gut microorganisms much more likely.
GM CROPS MAY INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS AND BIOACCUMULATE TOXINS IN THE FOOD CHAIN :
GM crops are
becoming part of the ecosystem. If toxins are used or produced
in the process
of GM crop production they are bound to accumulate in the environment, food
chain and human tissues.
RISKS ARE GREATER FOR FETUS, NEWBORNS AND CHILDREN
Pregnant mothers eating GM foods may endanger off spring:
Embryo developing in the mother's womb can be adversely
affected by tiny amounts of substances in the mother's diet. A pregnant mother's diet may even alter gene
expression in children and be passed on to future generations. GM crops may
contain substances that impact normal fetal development.
(Twelve studies--Jeffrey Smith --Genetic
Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 8 No. 1-12)
GM foods are more dangerous for children than adults
Children are in general more susceptible to toxins,
allergens and nutritional problems. They consume more milk, which may be from
animals fed on GM crops or may have been treated with GM rbGH. Recurrent
infections are more common in children. They can be gravely affected if the
antibiotic resistant infections are prevalent in the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ENGINEERED CROPS
The Ecological Risks of Engineered Crops, genetically
modified crops pose six kinds of potential risks.
1. The engineered crops themselves could become weeds, a
broad term that covers plants with undesirable effects.
2. The crops might serve as conduits through which new
genes move to wild plants, which could then become weeds.
3. The crops engineered to produce viruses could
facilitate the creation of new, more virulent or more widely spread viruses.
4.The plants engineered to express potentially toxic
substances could present risks to other organisms like birds or deer.
5.The crops may initiate a perturbation that may have
effects that ripple through an ecosystem in ways that are difficult to predict.
6.The crops might threaten centers of crop diversity.
VISIBLE IMPACTS
UP TO NOW
2. Resistant pests are
emerging-leading to excessive use, the use of more costly and more toxic
pesticides. Reports of super pests have already started appearing.
For
example-Recombinant papaya ringspot virus has become resistant in genetically
modified papaya.
3.Herbicide Resistant Weeds are coming up-leading to
excessive use, use of more costly and more toxic weedicides. The studies
indicating the appearance of super weeds have started pouring in.
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