GMO Research project

[Sandbar]

Hate to post an off-topic thread in the "Politics of FOOD" forum, you know ... one that actually talks about food politics ... please accept my sincere apologies ...


I am putting together a presentation on GMO foods for my Ohio Master Gardener class. I started searching the iDig archives for data and thought I'd post this at the same time.

Do any of you folks have information, links, news stories etc. that you would be able to share with me? I want to present a balanced case (both pro and con-GMO facts and figures) and let each decide for themselves.

Also, some cartoons on the subject would make the subject more entertaining.

TIA.

[LaRae]

Monsanto's GM corn #MON863 shows kidney, liver toxicity in animal studies
http://www.newstarget.com/021784.html
by David Gutierrez
April 10 2007

A variety of genetically modified corn that was
approved for human consumption in 2006 caused signs of
liver and kidney toxicity as well as hormonal changes
in rats in a study performed by researchers from the
independent Committee for Independent Research and
Genetic Engineering at the University of Caen in
France.

What you need to know - Conventional View

. The corn in question, MON863, is made by the
Monsanto Company and approved for use in Australia,
Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, Mexico, the
Philippines, and the United States. It has had a gene
inserted from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt), which causes the plant's cells to produce a
pesticide.

. Researchers fed rats either unmodified corn or diets
containing 11 or 30 percent MON863 for 90 days. The
rats who ate modified corn were found to exhibit signs
of liver and kidney toxicity, as well as signs of
hormonal changes.

. Male rats lost an average of 3.3 percent of their
body weight, and their excretion of phosphorus and
sodium decreased. Female rats gained an average of 3.7
percent of their body weight, while their triglyceride
levels increased by 24 to 40 percent.

. The mechanism that causes the toxicity is not yet
known, but the researchers say there is evidence that
the Bt toxin may cause the perforation of blood cells.
They expressed concern that the methods used by
Monsanto in initial tests of the corn were
statistically flawed and called their own tests "the
best mammalian toxicity tests available."

. Greenpeace responded to the study by calling for an
immediate recall of all MON863 corn and the
reassessment of all genetically modified foods
currently approved for the market.

. Quote: "Our counter-evaluation shows that there are
signs of toxicity, and nobody can say scientifically
and seriously the consumption of the transgenic maize
MON863 is safe and good for health." - Lead Author
Gilles Eric Seralini

What you need to know - Alternative View

Statements and opinions by Mike Adams, author of
Grocery Warning: How to identify and avoid dangerous
food ingredients

. It seems that the more these GM foods are tested,
the more frightening the implications seem to be for
human health. When companies like Monsanto do their
own in-house testing, results are mysteriously
favorable in nearly all cases, but when independent
labs run their own tests, the results are downright
shocking.

. I find it interesting that the FDA believes U.S.
consumers should not be allowed to know which foods
are genetically modified and which aren't. The push
for honest labeling of GM foods has been blockaded by
corporate interests and corrupt federal regulators.

Resources you need to know
The Campaign for labeling of GM foods:
http://www.thecampaign.org

Bottom line
. A variety of genetically modified corn was found to
cause signs of hormonal changes and liver and kidney
toxicity in rats.

[Ohiorganic]

check this site

the SANET-MG archives at: http://lists.sare.org/archives/sanet-mg.html

Lots on GMO's among other things

[zebraman]

Hey Sandbar;First the Pro GMO sites:
http://www.lgseeds.com/technology/clearfield/
http://www.merschmanseeds.com/
And the Bad:
http://www.gmofreemaui.com/
http://www.seedsofdeception.com/utility/showArticle/?objectID=305

Also:
http:www.usatoday.com/tech/news/biotech/2005-03-01-brazil-gmo-ban_x.htm
Balanced means both sides,not just your side.-

[JereGettle]

www.Thecampaign.org

[JereGettle]

Do you need articles showing how the bush/blair Admin . is involved both with monsanto and gene-altering...?

if so go to http://www.organicconsumers.org/

[Canna'isseur]

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/index.php

[Sandbar]

Thanks to all for your links! :D

If you think of more, PLEASE post them!

TIA.

[winter_unfazed]

Sandbar--If you send me a PM with your mailing address, I can send you some unpublished manuscripts that I have written on the subject of hybrids and GMO.

[Sandbar]

Hey Jeffery, sent you a PM. Thanks for the generous offer. :D

[Canna'isseur]

Here is my updated site, as the one above does not go directly to it.
http://www.indsp.org/ISPreportSummary.php