|
<< Home
<< Back
Austrian Government Study
Confirms
GMO threaten Human fertility
Media Contact: NJ Jaeger
Email: njarchive@cox.net
Phone: +1-310-377-0915
Threaten Human Fertility and Health Safety
Advocates Call for Immediate Ban of All GM Foods
and GM Crops
IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 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.
###
Institute For Responsible Technology
Media Contact: NJ Jaeger
Expert Contact: Jeffrey M. Smith
Email:
njmail@cox.net
Phone: +1-310-377-0915
Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
Corporate Communication: Univ.-Doz. Ingrid
Kiefer
Tel: +43 50 555-25000; E-Mail:
ingrid.kiefer@ages.at
Links
Austrian Study:
http://www.ages.at/ueber-uns/presse/pressemeldungen/klarstellung-zu-neuen-er
Institute for Responsible Technology:
http://responsibletechnology.org
Non-GMO Shopping Guide:
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/DocumentFiles/144.pdf
Genetic Roulette:
http://www.geneticroulette.com
www.ProgressiveConvergence.com
|
