Russian Scientists Raise Red Flag Over GE Foods
Russian scientists have gone public with a warning to authorities that their research has revealed alarming effects from GE foods previously believed to be "safe".
At a conference in Moscow results from research by scientists from Vavilov Agriculture University were released publicly.
The news conference included the release of photographs (see link below) of two test-animals showing the contrast between those fed GM material and those from non-GM control groups.
"Once again scientific evidence is emerging that the presumption of safety for GE foods based on current regulations is deeply flawed," says Jon Carapiet from GE free NZ in food and environment.
There is a growing body of evidence that suggests the failure by authorities in Australia and New Zealand to establish proper safety-testing regimes is exposing the public to unacceptable health-risks.
"Without proper testing regimes or public-health monitoring, the impacts of imported GE foods now in the food supply are completey unknown", says Mr.Carapiet.
It is time for the government authrorities responsible for food safety to take a long hard look in the mirror, and ask themselves what more they must do to address a deeply flawed system which has been primarily designed to 'approve' GM foods rather than independently test them. ENDS Jon Carapet 0210 507681
REFERENCES TITLE: Russian researchers present new data on negative influence of GMO on human health SOURCE: Regnum, Russia files attached: ris1.jpg, ris2.jpg URL: http://www.regnum.ru/english/526651.html DATE: 11.05.2007
Russian researchers present new data on negative influence of GMO on human health
"Results of our research of GMO influence upon living organisms make doubtful their harmlessness for living organisms," President of the National Association for Genetic Safety Alexander Baranov said at a newsconference held at the REGNUM press center in Moscow today. "This must become the ground for serious reflection at official governmental institutions," Baranov said. Members of the association presented results of research conducted at Vavilov Agriculture University (Saratov). The research registered pathological deviation by animals that ate GMO.
As author of the test, Russian biotechnologist Maria Konovalova, who was personally conducting the survey, said the GM-soy used during the tests on rats caused serious mutilations of their internal organs (liver, kidneys, testicles) and in histological and cellular construction. Besides, it influences the number of babies in a litter, differentiated death rate of the descendants, results in increased aggressiveness and loss of maternal instinct.
Maria Konovalova provided photos of the mice under tests: - a mouse from the sample group that ate isolate of GM soy within five months - a mouse from the control set bred on a common vivarium ration
President of the association Alexander Baranov also said at the conference that they sent an open letter to Russia's Chief Sanitary Inspector Gennady Onishchenko stressing necessity of a temporary ban on using GMO that have been already given permission for use in the Russian territory and announcing a temporary moratorium on registration of new GMO until their influence upon human organism is fully examined.
"By present moment an awful situation has established: we feed our children with food, safety of which nobody can guarantee," Baranov believes. "We are not searching for whom is to blame for it. In our letter to Gennady Onishchenko we propose certain measures for soonest settlement of the problem."
As REGNUM reported earlier, in October 2005, Russian reseracher Dr. Irina Ermakova made public results of her experiment that showed that genetically modified soy affects posterity.
Additions Female that gave birth Born rats Dead rats (in three weeks) Percent of dead rats Rats still alive Control group 4 (of 6) 44 3 6,8% 41 With GM-soy 4 (of 6) 45 25 55,6% 20 With normal soy 3 (of 3) 33 3 |