New information on the levels of nutrients in glyphosate-tolerant (Roundup-tolerant) GE corn plants grown alongside non-GE plants shows that GE plants do not have the capacity to maintain health. The findings are very concerning, with respect to the serious loss of nutritional value, high glyphosate residues (13ppm), and high levels of the toxin formaldehyde. This GE corn also contains anti-nutrients that are damaging to health [1].
The GE corn was tested in the 2012 growing season results obtained found that Calcium and Magnesium levels were 95% reduced, the Manganese and Zinc levels were 85% reduced in comparison to the non GE corn. The toxin formaldehyde levels tested at 200ppm when the U.S. EPA levels are set at 0.04ppm [2].
�GE plants are chemical factories that manufacture toxins. Add the harmful effects of formaldehyde and the high herbicide residues and it compounds the toxicity making these plants highly unsafe to eat,� said Mrs. Bleakley.
This information was released in the same week as the Minister for Food Safety, Nikki Kaye, signed an approval for the 67th GE food to enter the food chain.
This latest approval, which is a world first, is for the A1073 Dow AgroSciences soybean. This soybean has been genetically engineered to withstand three herbicides � 2,4-D, glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium. All of these herbicides have been linked to damage of digestive, endocrine, reproductive and organ systems. This damage could potentially lead to liver and kidney failure, reproductive disorders, auto-immune disease and cancers.
The GE soybean has been ticked through without any animal feeding studies on the effects of the herbicides. Health effects of herbicides and their added ingredients have not been well studied. Data essential for a rigorous risk assessment is lacking.
�We are very concerned that evaluators for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) are working with and receiving funding from the biotech companies [3] that are applying for GE regulatory approvals and ignoring this evidence� said Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently declined an application for GE maize 98140 [3] on the grounds of �lack of essential data� after independent evaluators assessed the same data as the FSANZ, who approved the GE maize (A1020) into the New Zealand food chain in 2010 [4].
There are many studies raising concerns that it is both the genetic engineering process as well as the high level of pesticides used to grow GE foods could have harmful long term effects on those eating them,�
�It is time that the revolving door of Industry and New Zealand GE food regulators took the public's health seriously when deciding on the safety of GE foods.
The studies showing the toxicity GE foods have come 17 years too late, but the assessment process will be challenged as GE affects all consumers�.
Only New Zealand-grown fruit and vegetables, certified organic or non-GE labelled foods can be regarded as safe to eat.
References:
[1] GMO Corn report http://www.i-sis.org.uk/Stunning_differences_of_GM_from_non_GM_corn.php
GMO Corn has 14 ppm of Calcium and NON GMO corn has 6130 ppm.
GMO corn has 2 ppm of Magnesium and NON GMO corn has 113ppm.
GMO corn has 2 ppm of Manganese and NON GMO corn has 14ppm.
GMO corn has 2.3 ppm of Zinc and NON GMO corn has 14.3ppm.
GMO corn has 200 ppm of Formaldehyde and NON GMO corn has 0 ppm.
GMO corn has 13 ppm of Glyphosate and NON GMO corn has 0 ppm
[2] Formaldehyde TEACH Chemical Summary http://www.epa.gov/teach/chem_summ/Formaldehyde_summary.pdf
[3] DuPont and the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics expand collaboration http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=24903&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
(ii) Science Media Centre touts sales pitch as science http://gmwatch.org/index.php?id=14738&option=com_content&view=article
[4] Inadequate data prevent EFSA from concluding on safety of GM maize 98140 http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/130416.htm?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=hl&utm_campaign=20130417
(ii) EFSA Scientific Opinion. http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3139.htm
[5] Application A1020 http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/A1021%20GM%20Maize%20AppR%20FINAL.pdf
ENDS:
Contact: Claire Bleakley 06 3089842 / 027 348 6731 or
Dr. Elvira Dommisse 03 9422 748 / 021 0575 123 |
