Study Shows Monsanto’s GM Corn Causes Kidney and Liver Damage in Rats

Independent Scientists Concerned About GM Corn Impact

Independent Study Questions Safety of GM corn.

GM corn also referred to as “Genetically Modified” Corn, is under scrutiny again. This time an independent study found significant organ damage in rats. Scientists found side effects linked to GM corn consumption that was sex- and dose-dependent among the rats. Their conclusion? Additional long term studies on GM corn ingestion need to be conducted because there was a clear negative impact on kidney and liver function in the rats that consumed the three varieties in their 90 day study.

New GM Corn Study Shows Vastly Different Results than Earlier Monsanto Study

This information is freely available to readers in an open report published by the International Journal of Biological Sciences has found Monsanto’s three most popular varieties of GM corn (NK 603, MON 810, and MON 863) to cause organ damage in rats, contrary to an earlier study done by Monsanto that led to U.S.  government approval of these GM seeds.

The French study on GM corn completed by Joël Spiroux de Vendômois, François Roullier, Dominique Cellier, and Gilles-Eric Séralini from the universities of Rouen and Caen, was much more comprehensive than the Monsanto study. The IJBS reports that the new study included six ‘reference’ groups, or control groups, which ate non GM corn. The test rats were fed for 90 days, and unlike the Monsanto study, were fed a much higher content of GM corn. (Monsanto’s study fed their animal subjects only 11% GM corn.)

The French scientists discovered adverse effects from eating GM corn, mostly affecting the kidney and the liver, “dietary detoxifying organs”. They also noted effects in the heart, adrenal glands, spleen, and haematopoietic system (blood system, which regulates immunity).

Differences between MON 810-fed rats and controls.

The study claims:

“Males are clearly more sensitive than female animals to show physiological disturbances when fed NK 603. This is not observed for all three GM maize varieties.”

They also noted that dosage matters. Effects for 83% of males were often seen after the highest dosage level, 33% GM corn in the mixture.

Vendômois et al concludes that the high statistical differences in organ function between males and females is significant and they believe their data proves GM corn causes hepatorenal toxicity.

“This can be due to the new pesticides (herbicide or insecticide) present specifically in each type of GM maize, although unintended metabolic effects due to the mutagenic properties of the GM transformation process cannot be excluded.  All three GM maize varieties contain a distinctly different pesticide residue associated with their particular GM event (glyphosate and AMPA in NK 603, modified Cry1Ab in MON 810, modified Cry3Bb1 in MON 863). These substances have never before been an integral part of the human or animal diet and therefore their health consequences for those who consume them, especially over long time periods are currently unknown.”

The Rouen and Craen scientists claim that their data proves there is a need for long term, multi-generational studies to further investigate the possible phenomena of GM crop ingestion and the acute and chronic toxic effects on livestock and even the public.

In conclusion, they write: “Our analysis highlights that the kidneys and liver as particularly important on which to focus such research as there was a clear negative impact on the function of these organs in rats consuming GM maize varieties for just 90 days.”

Sources Cited:

de Vendômois JS, Roullier F, Cellier D, Séralini GE. A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health. Int J Biol Sci 2009; 5(7):706-726. Available from http://www.biolsci.org/v05p0706.htm