Study Confirms Genetically Modified Crops Threaten Human Health and Fertility
November 20, 2008 ·
Austrian Government Study Confirms Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Threaten Human Fertility and Health Safety
Advocates Call for Immediate Ban of All GM Foods and GM Crops
Institute for Responsible Technology | Nov 13, 2008
(Los Angeles, CA.) – A long-term feeding study commissioned by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, managed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, Family and Youth, and carried out by Veterinary University Vienna, confirms genetically modified (GM) corn seriously affects reproductive health in mice. Non-GMO advocates, who have warned about this infertility link along with other health risks, now seek an immediate ban of all GM foods and GM crops to protect the health of humankind and the fertility of women around the world.
Feeding mice with genetically modified corn developed by the US-based Monsanto Corporation led to lower fertility and body weight, according to the study conducted by the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Lead author of the study Professor Zentek said, there was a direct link between the decrease in fertility and the GM diet, and that mice fed with non-GE corn reproduced more efficiently.
In the study, Austrian scientists performed several long-term feeding trials over 20 weeks with laboratory mice fed a diet containing 33% of a GM variety (NK 603 x MON 810), or a closely related non-GE variety used in many countries. Statistically significant litter size and pup weight decreases were found in the third and fourth litters in the GM-fed mice, compared to the control group.
The corn is genetically modified with genes that produce a pesticidal toxin, as well as genes that allow it to survive applications of Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup.
A book by author Jeffrey M. Smith, Genetic Roulette, distributed to members of congress last year, documents 65 serious health risks of GM products, including similar fertility problems with GM soy and GM corn: Offspring of rats fed GM soy showed a five-fold increase in mortality, lower birth weights, and the inability to reproduce. Male mice fed GM soy had damaged young sperm cells. The embryo offspring of GM soy-fed mice had altered DNA functioning. Several US farmers reported sterility or fertility problems among pigs and cows fed on GM corn varieties. Additionally, over the last two months, investigators in India have documented fertility problems, abortions, premature births, and other serious health issues, including deaths, among buffaloes fed GM cottonseed products.
The principle GM crops are soy, corn, cottonseed and canola. GM sugar from sugar beets will also be introduced before year’s end.
Mr. Smith, who is also the Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology says, “GM foods are likely responsible for several negative health trends in the US. The government must impose an immediate ban on these dangerous crops.” He says, “Consumers don’t need to wait for governmental action. They can download a free Non-GMO Shopping Guide at www.HealthierEating.org.”
Monsanto press offices in the UK and USA were unable to provide a comment on the findings for journalists yesterday.
The Institute for Responsible Technology’s Campaign for Healthier Eating in America mobilizes citizens, organizations, businesses, and the media, to achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection of genetically modified foods.
The Institute educates people about the documented health risks of GMOs and provides them with healthier non-GMO product choices.
The Institute also informs policy makers and the public around the world about the impacts of GMOs on health, environment, the economy, and agriculture, and the problems associated with current research, regulation, corporate practices, and reporting.
DEFRA plans secret GM trial sites
November 20, 2008
The locations of genetically modified crop trials will be kept secret in the future to prevent protesters from wrecking the trial sites, DEFRA Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced.
Almost all of the 54 GM crop trials conducted since 2000 have been vandalised because of government rules which stated that the grid reference of the trial had to be publicised.
DEFRA also plans to conduct the trials at more secure locations from now on.
Farm fields and university sites were chosen in the past, allowing protesters to gain access. In the future secure government sites such as Porton Down near Salisbury, which carries out military research, will be used instead.
Ministers will also have more power to crack down on the opponents of GM crops. Rules introduced in 2005 have given police more powers to prosecute activists after Huntingdon Life Sciences was attacked by animal rights extremists.
“We need to see if they [GM foods] have a contribution to make – and we won’t know the answer unless we run controlled experiments,” said Hilary Benn, the DEFRA secretary.
Gordon Brown is aware that there has been public opposition to previous GM trials – notably from young mothers – but has said he will follow the science.
Health ministers render teenage girls infertile to cut pregnancies
November 16, 2008
Teenagers to receive jabs to cut abortions
By Marie Woolf
Ministers want to double the number of girls using contraceptive jabs and implants to cut down on teenage abortions.
Under reforms, youngsters considered at risk of unplanned pregnancies will be advised by their GPs to use these methods of contraception, which could render them infertile for three years.
In addition, abortion clinics will be required to offer immediate contraceptive advice to women after their pregnancies have been terminated.
Those who decline to take the advice will be recalled and asked to consider having implants or injections.
Dawn Primarolo, the public health minister, said she was concerned that almost a third of terminations were repeat abortions and that there was a “spike” in unplanned pregnancies among girls aged 16-18.
Ministers want to double the number using the so-called Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (Larcs) after being told by regulators that they could save around £100m a year if 15% of women used the methods.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence estimated the move would cut unplanned pregnancies by 73,000 a year. In total, 20,289 abortions were carried out last year on girls under 18.
Currently, only around 7% of women have contraceptive jabs or implants, which are more widely used in America.
The policy of offering them to teenagers is likely to prove controversial. In the past, some doctors have been criticised for offering them to poorer women and those from ethnic minorities without explaining possible side-effects, which include headaches and weight gain.
In Britain girls as young as 13 have received the treatments, despite warnings that they should be used cautiously in young teenagers.
Primarolo is to begin talking to health trusts this week to ensure that when they negotiate contracts with abortion providers, the new rules on contraception are introduced.
“We are encouraging GPs to put them on long-acting contraceptives – the pill is not the only form of contraceptive that suits women,” said Primarolo.
The Department of Health is also to provide funding for teenagers to be sent mobile phone text messages containing contraceptive advice and to take part in confidential video conferences with sexual health advisers in an attempt to cut abortions.
A health department spokesman said: “We know that almost a third of abortions in England and Wales are repeat abortions.
“This makes it even more important that these women are given timely advice on the full range of contraceptive choices available. Currently, such advice can be limited only to a supply of condoms or the pill.
“Larcs have virtually no failure and are therefore particularly suitable for women with a high risk of unintended pregnancy.”
Hat tip Aftermathnews
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