It's not the glyphosate in Roundup that is the problem, it is the additives that allow the glyphosate to penetrate tissues. Pure
glyphosate has no use, not even as a herbicide. Monsanto's "scientific tests" were done on glyphosate - not the entire mixture which is RoundUp. That is why they marketed the product as being safe and biodegradable. In fact, part of the RoundUp biodegration involves AMPA which has a long half life. Even after 28 days, only 2% of RoundUp breaks down.
Polyethoxylated tallowamine, a surficant additive in RoundUp is acutely toxic and that fact has been confirmed by many accurate scientific studies. It asphyxiates cells.
Nevertheless, for all intents and purposes, RoundUp is a carcinogen and an endocrine disrupter.
RoundUp promotes faulty
cell division and instability in genes.
City workers who have sprayed RoundUp change boots every two months because the rubber is eaten away by this herbicide.
Normally, a process
of repair or the natural death of the defective cell, known as apoptosis, is
automatically initiated. But a cell sometimes avoids the alternative [death or
repair], because the point that controls damage to the DNA is affected. It is
precisely this checkpoint that is damaged by Roundup.
RoundUp has been found to have the following two properties:
Teratogenic or Eratogenic - Causes birth defects
Mutagenic - Causes
permanent and inheritable changes in the DNA of subjects exposed, both plant and animal
Epidemiological studies done in Canada indicated that there were more miscarriages and premature births among farm
families using RoundUp than in the general population.
A Texas Tech University laboratory likewise
established that exposure of the Leydig cells in the testicles, which play a
major role in the male reproductive system. RoundUp reduced their production
of sex hormones by 94 percent.
Brazilian researchers found that
female rats that were pregnant when exposed to Roundup were more likely to
produce offspring with skeletal malformations.
Tests were done whereby cells were placed in
solutions of Roundup with concentrations from 0.001 percent up to the amount used in farming - RoundUp diluted to 1 or 2 percent. Exposure times were varied to determine at what point the herbicide demonstrated "cellular respiration". RoundUp literally killed human placental cells within a few hours even when it was within regulatory limits such as residual levels in food products like transgenic plants. Embryonic cells where even more sensitive.
It is estimated that 2.5 million tons of such chemicals are sprayed on the earth. 0.3 percent make contact with the target organisms while the rest are discharged into the environment -- soil, water, wind.
The immediate signs of poisoning are the same: eye irritation, vision problems, headaches, skin lesions and irritation, nausea, dry throat, asthma, respiratory difficulties, nosebleeds, and dizziness. Some countries use up to five times as much herbicide for aerial application than is recognized as safe by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
After an area has
been sprayed with Roundup, people and pets (such as cats and dogs) should stay
out of the area until it is thoroughly dry. It has been recommend that grazing animals
such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, tortoises and fowl remain out
of the treated area for two weeks.
In 1958,
the Delaney amendment provided that if a product presented the
slightest carcinogenic risk, it could not be approved. The FDA does not conduct toxicological studies, such as animal
testing, but merely examines the data supplied by manufacturers. What?!?!?
The Illusion of Safety
Monsanto wanted the appearance of regulation. They fully realized they had tarnished their credibility after the PCB and Agent Orange scandals. They knew that if they told the public that GMO products were safe, no one would believe their lie. The multinational company wanted our federal
agencies, primarily the FDA, to be the ones to say that the products were safe. If a problem arose, it would be able to say: "The FDA has established that GMOs do not
pose a health risk."
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.
Mice fed on Roundup Ready GM Soya showed Liver Damage:
The liver cells of mice fed on GM Roundup Ready Soya in
USA showed microscopic signs of toxic liver (damage which disappeared after GM
Soya was stopped.
(M. Malatesta, C. Caporaloni, S. Gavasaudan
.... ," Ultrastructural Morphological and Immunocytochemical Analysis of
Hepatocyte Nuclear Modifications in Mice Fed on Genetically Modified
Soybean," Cell Struct. Funct. 27 (2002): 173-180)
Mice fed on GM Roundup Ready Soya showed Pancreatic
Damage:
Mice fed on
GM Roundup Ready Soya showed changes in synthesis and processing of digestive
enzymes. Production of alpha-amylase, a major digestive enzyme dropped by 77%.
(M. Malatesta, et.
al.," Ultrastructural Analysis of Pancreatic Acinar Cells from Mice Fed on
Genetically Modified Soybean," Cell Struct. Funct. 27 (2002): 409 )
Mice fed on Roundup Ready GM Soya showed changes in
testicular cells :
( S.S Guraya, Biology of Spermatogenesis and
Spermatozoa in Mammals ( Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, London,
Paris, Tokyo, 1987),
( L. Vecchio et.
al. Ultrastructural Analysis of Testes from Mice Fed on Genetically Modified
Soybean," European Journal of Histochemistry 48, no. 4 ( Oct.-Dec. 2004)
449-454 )
Roundup Ready GM Soya changed cell metabolism in rabbit
organs :
Rabbits fed on GM
Soya for about 40 days showed significant differences in amounts of certain
enzymes in their kidneys, hearts and liver. A rise in LDH 1 levels in all three
organs suggest an increase in cellular metabolism. Changes in other enzymes
point to other alterations in the organs.
( Tudisco et al,
" Genetically Modified Soya Bean in Rabbit Feeding, Detection of DNA Fragments and Evaluation of Metabolic Effects
by Enzymatic Analysis, 193-199 )
Most offspring of rats fed on Roundup Ready GM Soya died within three weeks
:
A study by Russian Academy of Sciences in 2005. female
rats were fed Roundup Ready GM Soya starting before conception and pregnancy.
55.6% off springs died within three weeks compared to 9% in non-GM Soya
controls. Some from GM group were significantly smaller than non-GM group. Both
mothers and pups were more aggressive. When offsprings from GM group were mated
together, they did not conceive.
( I.V.Irmakova,
"Diet with the Soya Modified by Gene EPSPS CP4 Leads to Anxiety and
Aggression in Rats," 14th Europian Congress of Psychiatry. Nice, France,
March 4-8, 2006. )
( Irina Irmakova," Genetically Modified Soya
leads to decrease of weight and high mortality of rat pups of the first
generation. Preliminary Studies," Ecosinform 1 (2006) 4-9.
( I.V.Irmakova,
" Genetically Modified Organisms and Biological Risks," Proceedings
of International Disaster Reduction Conference (IDRC), Davos, Switzerland
August 27th-September 1st, 2006: 168-172. ( I.V.Irmakova, "GMO: Life
itself intervened into the experiments," Letter, EcosInform N2 (2006):
3-4.
Genetically Modified Soy Linked to Sterility, Infant
Mortality
" Russian biologist Alexey V. Surov and his
colleagues set out to discover if Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) soy,
grown on 91% of US soybean fields, leads to problems in growth or reproduction.
What he discovered may uproot a multi-billion dollar industry. After feeding
hamsters for two years over three generations, those on the GM diet, and
especially the group on the maximum GM soy diet, showed devastating results. By
the third generation, most GM soy-fed hamsters lost the ability to have babies.
They also suffered slower growth, and a high mortality rate among the pups. And
if this isn't shocking enough, some in the third generation even had hair
growing inside their mouths—a phenomenon rarely seen, but apparently more
prevalent among hamsters eating GM soy. The study, jointly conducted by Surov's
Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the
National Association for Gene Security, is expected to be published in three
months (July 2010)—so the technical details will have to wait. But Surov
sketched out the basic set up for me in an email--- Jeffery Smith
Rats fed on Roundup Ready Canola had heavier livers :
The livers of rats fed on GM Canola were12-16% heavier
than those fed on Non-GM Canola. Liver is a chemical factory and primary
detoxifier for the body. Heavier liver may indicate liver disease or
inflammation.
( Comments to ANZFA
about Applications A346, A362 and A363 from the Food Legislation and regulation
Advisory Group (FLRAG) of the Public Health Association of Australia ( PHAA )
on behalf of the PHAA, "Food produced from glyphosate-tolerant canola line
GT73, " http://www.iher.org.au/ )
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.
Glufosinate-tolerant crops may produce herbicide inside
our intestines :
Some crops are engineered to withstand glufosinate-based
herbicide. The herbicide tolerant GM crops transform the herbicide into a
compound regarded as nontoxic, called NAG, which remains in the plant. Once
humans or animals consume NAG, gut bacteria can revert some NAG back into toxic
herbicide. The herbicide has known toxic effects-act as an antibiotic and may
kill off or disturb gut micro-flora. If the herbicide-tolerant gene transfers
to gut bacteria, it could magnify the problems.
(Twenty three studies-Jeffrey Smith-Genetic
Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,SECTION 6 No.1-23)
Herbicide-tolerant crops increase herbicide use and
residues in food :
Herbicide-tolerant crops increase the use of their
associated herbicides. Increased herbicide residues in crops can promote the
toxic effects of these chemicals on humans, animals and their offspring.
Increased herbicide use can also alter nutrient content-such as flavonoids,
making GM foods less nutritious. The accelerated emergence of herbicide
resistant weeds has resulted in the increased use of even more toxic varieties
of herbicides.
(Twenty four
studies-Jeffrey Smith -Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1,SECTION 6 No.23-48)
Tiny amounts of herbicide may act as endocrine disruptors
:
Certain chemicals may disrupt endocrine function at
extremely low concentrations. Research on Roundup suggests it may be such a
chemical, disrupting endocrine activity related to human sex hormone
production. The increased use of Liberty and Roundup, due to GM crops, may
expose the population through food and water to these low-dose effects.
(Five
studies--Jeffrey Smith --Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 6 No.
49-53)
GM crops may accumulate environmental toxins or
concentrate toxins in milk and meat of GM fed animals :
FDA scientists warned that GM crops may concentrate
toxins, such as heavy metals and herbicides, from the environment. There is
evidence of heavy metals in GM soybean oil. FDA scientists also said that
toxins in GM feed might concentrate in milk or meat. GM DNA
fragments were found in milk. Small amounts of Roundup may be retained in the
body of animals and affect sperm quality. The overuse of Roundup and Liberty
herbicides on GM crops magnifies these types of risks. Many scientific studies
indicate that these herbicides are even
worse than DDT. Roundup, can accumulate and persist in the soil for years,
where it kills off beneficial microbes and stimulates virulence of pathogens
(Fifteen
studies--Jeffrey Smith --Genetic Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 6 No.
54-68)
Disease-resistant crops may promote new plant viruses,
which carry risks for humans :
Virus-resistant transgenes protect crops from one target
virus, but may increase susceptibility to other plant viruses. Infected plants
put humans at risk due to increased pesticide use. They may also lead to
increased consumption of potentially harmful viral proteins.
(Eleven studies--Jeffrey Smith --Genetic
Roulette-bibliography-PART-1, SECTION 6 No. 69-79)
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