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GMOs: the impact study decrypted by Sciences et Avenir
Consumes one GM maize in France criminalized by this study? Is it really the longest study ever conducted? Can we translate the results obtained in rats to humans? The lighting of writing Sciences et Avenir.
Science and Future returns to the study published in Food and chemical toxicology of 19 September, and that the genetically modified corn from Monsanto, NK 603, would be toxic and deleterious effects on rats.
Two to three times higher mortality in female rats. 2-5 times more necrosis of the liver in males. Results of a study of CRIIGEN (Committee of Independent Research and Information on Genetic Engineering) toxicity long-term herbicide Roundup and a GM maize NK 603, are frightening.
To get them, researchers have grown in North America, three plots of different corn, they imported into France to make croquettes. They then submitted 200 rats for two years at different diets: conventional corn, conventional corn and Roundup low dose drink, GM maize NK untreated Roundup 603, and finally GM maize NK 603 treated with Roundup.
Results? Rats consuming GMOs, OGMR (treated with Roundup) or drinking Round Up have experienced similar fates: they would have died faster and more heavily. They have all developed more tumors in females reaching up to the age of 24 months-canonical in these animals (see below) and have developed 50 to 80% of mammary and pituitary tumors in more compared to rates kibble fed GMO.
In other words, the effects of the pesticide Roundup would be roughly the same as that of GM alone ...
1. WHAT IS THE CORN STUDIED?
These maize NK 603, modified to tolerate the herbicide Round up like 80% of GM crops in the world. Allowed to import in Europe, it expects a green light for its culture. In culture, it supports without perishing being drizzled Roundup, which kills weeds around. This is where it differs from MON 810 maize, which produces itself an insecticidal Bt toxin, to defend themselves against an insect, the corn rootworm.
2. CONSUMPTION ON THIS T-GMO CORN IN FRANCE?
Legally, it is possible, even if the GM maize cultivation is prohibited in France. NK603 maize was indeed authorized, with twenty other plants, import for human and animal consumption in Europe in 2004.
According to the General Association of Corn Producers (AGPM), the annual European demand even be around 60-62 million tonnes. However, in practice, it is unlikely that we find in our maize NK603 French dishes: France is in effect self-sufficient and even an exporter of wheat. This is not the case of Benelux, Spain, Italy and Portugal, the main importing countries at 4 to 5 million tons per year.
These are they from corn genetically modified seeds? In principle yes, although it is difficult to say because there is no legal requirement for traceability. But we know that 80% of global exports from Argentina, Brazil and the United States, the majority of countries growing GM. Thus, 88% of U.S. corn is GMO. In fact, in France, the main GMO product consumed through animal feed, not corn, but soybeans. The 4.5 million tons of meal imported every year in France are 80% genetically modified.
3. WHO ARE THE RESEARCH STUDY?
Eight scientists have signed this study: Gilles-Eric Séralini, Emilie Clair, Robin Mesnage, Steeve Gress, Nicolas Defarge, Manuela Malatesta, Didier Hennequin, Joel Spiroux de Vendome.
Gilles-Eric Séralini, Emilie Clair, Robin Mesnage, Steeve Gress and Joel Spiroux de Vendome are attached to the Institute of Biology of the University of Caen and Criigen (Committee for Independent Research and Information on Genetic Engineering). Gilles-Eric Séralini is also a professor of molecular biology. Emilie Clair is a young researcher who has spent his thesis in 2011. Robin Mesnage and Steeve Gress are students in the laboratory Gilles-Eric ralini. As Joel Spiroux de Vendome, the President Criigen. There is a general practitioner, homeopath, acupuncturist and osteopath.
Manuela Malatesta specializes in electron microscopy, attached to the University of Verona in Italy. Finally Didier Hennequin is a lecturer at the Technical University of Caen.
4. IS IT THE LONGEST SURVEY EVER MADE ON GMOs?
No, despite the claims of Gilles-Eric Seralini, this is far from being the case. A study coordinated by Agnes Ricroch, a researcher at AgroParisTech and published in late 2011, included 24 studies of long-term toxicology including 12 transgenerational (see M & A March 2012 "How a study she concluded that the safety of GMOs?" ) . This meta-analysis included the work of at least two years and concluded that there is no risk to health.
This is what intrigues most external scientists to study released Sept. 19: how the results also huge could they escape the investigation of hundreds of researchers who have been working for years on GMOs to assess their safety? For now and until this study is replicated by other teams, doubt is a must.
5. CAN TRANSPOSE ON HUMAN STUDIES MADE ON RATS?
If the rat is a very convenient animal model that allowed for research and medicine to make great strides, it is impossible to implement strict sense to the human species results in rodents. For the benefit of those for science is essentially in two words: size and longevity.
Small, requiring little space and maintenance, rats and mice are perfect for statistical studies require large cohorts. Furthermore, their limited life (2-3 years maximum) allows the study of age-related diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer's.
It would be more efficient to perform the same studies on nearest human bodies as chimpanzees. But this is much more problematic, if not impossible, because their life is close to 45 years: it is difficult to consider the following in such a short time.
6. STUDY IS CHALLENGED?
Researchers who gave us their first impressions express their reservations. Starting with the non-publication of certain data of experience. Example, scientists point to the lack of information on the precise composition of the diet to which the rats were submitted.
Furthermore, the type of rats used (Sprague-Dawley) is known to easily develop tumors.
Also criticized the low number of rats per group. Only 10, which weakens the statistics. A protocol so would require a cohort of 50 male and 50 female. Finally, it is a study of toxicology and oncology. However, no team member is not a specialist in toxicology and oncology ... more
7. THAT WILL MAKE THE GOVERNMENT?
Immediately the published study, the government seized the HANDLES (the National Agency for Sanitary Safety of Food, Environment and Labour) which will immediately review the results and the authors probably audition before delivering its findings in several weeks. For its part the French Association of Plant Biotechnology (AFBV) trained in emergency committee to dissect the study but again the results will not be known for several days or even weeks. "If these results are accurate, it must stop all GM immediately! "Alarmed Philippe Joudrier biologist and member of the AFBV.
By Rachel Mulot, Hervé Ratel, Olivier Hertel and Loïc Chauveau
Science and Future
Scientific publication is available at this address .
Our interview toxicologist Gerard Pascal, who responded to the study, is located at this address .
