Did you read it? Or are you just someone screaming that the sky is falling?

This is from the front page of the article:

it seems to be far from a done deal given that they recommend doing further study in order to achieve 'true scientifically valid data'. It also seems that the problem may have had more to do with the pesticides involved rather than the actual act of modifying genes.

jds- Thank You!! for posting the link.

Yes, but lets be truthfull here. The headline says"
**Study Finds Genetically Modified Corn Causing Organ Damage To Rats**
It does not find that at all. It finds that the pesticides used on GM stuff can cause damage. Bet they would on any plant, GM or your favorite OP tomato.
How would you like to read the headlines "tomatoes will kill cats" then in small letters "if you put poison om them".

Study more Trudi. The pesticide residue they refer to is the product produced in the plant via the GMO process.

This is also a follow up study to another that monsanto denies.

Splitting hairs the effect seen is different between males and females. Monsanto clusters the data on sex and limits the study to 90 days which waters down the effect (Doull J, Gaylor D, Greim HA. et al. Report of an Expert Panel on the reanalysis by Séralini et al. (2007) of a 90-day study conducted by Monsanto in support of the safety of a genetically modified corn variety (MON 863). Food Chem Toxicol. 2007;45:2073-85 ).

There are other findings coming out of other countries that have to do with how GMO based diets alter the intestinal flora of mammals resulting in poor absorption, poor digestion and allergy/inflammation responses (autoimmune issues).

The link to the study is posted below.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health

I thing the thing to take from this is that you can't genetically modify any old thing into a plant and assume it is safe. The authors call for a two-year feeding study of any new GM food, which seems pretty reasonable. The danger here isn't that the food is GM, but the fact that it has been modified in a potentially dangerous way.

I need a lot more data than that Mule.

I think many need more data. Cramming 11% or 33% of my diet with maize (corn) would probably make me sick, too. Most of this corn is not made into human food, but used as food for animals we use for food. The study does not state that the 90 day study at the elevated corn intake was to simulate human long term use. Is that the 2 year study's intention? How much of the GMO corn's effects on food animals is translated to humans and what effect does that have on our health? If we consume the corn as human food, how much of the pesticide residual remains in our food after the processing stage and then what is the long term effect? And how do we separate the residual effect from corn from all the other components in our food supply?

As I see it, there are more questions than answers and is it feasible to ban something before proof is presented that satisfies everyone and all their political as well as scientific stances? If we don't like the idea of GMO does that mean we close our eyes to the benefits? Ahh the politics of our food system.

The problem is the panic this will cause. To prove the point, read the headline of the parent post, "Genetically Modified Veggies". Also read the headline of the article that the parent post refers, "Study Finds Genetically Modified Corn Causing Organ Damage To Rats". Both statements are true in the same sense that "Tomatoes are Purple" is true. Sure, there are purple tomatoes, but not ALL tomatoes are purple,just as "not ALL Genetically Modified Corn Causes Organ Damage To Rats". To be correct, the headline should read, "Three varieties of corn, engineered by the same company to produce pesticide or be resistant to herbicide caused organ damage in a higher percentage of rats than "natural" corn alone". Unfortunately, that doesn't fit in the usual headline space and it does not generate fear.

Not all GM foods are bad. This corn has been in production and in the food supply for years with absolutely zero side effects that we know of. But as soon as a negative study shows that it can cause damage, all the headlines read "Genetically Modified Veggies Can KILL You!"

(Note: I believe that all GM food should be tested by a neutral, independent body before entering the food supply, but lets not throw out the baby with the bath water anytime a problem is found!)

Not to mention that it is totally unrelated to this forum's focus. Discussions like this - if they can be called discussions - belong over on the Hot Topics forum.

Dave

MAN!! just something to think about.I just like people to read stuff that i find interesting, and maybe they will too. The sky isnt falling. Dont be scared. Digdirt, the next time i post something, i will let you know what it is and what forum i am posting it on, then you can give me your approval.

You posted a link to NPR radio a few years back Kieth.

If memory serves me it was from a study done at K-State or one that was upcoming.

That was a few CPU's ago so I am unable to retrieve it unless it is here somewhere......lemme look.

Tom

I agree with DigDirt. There are no genetically engineered tomatoes on the market at this time. Therefore, the discussion of GE corn belongs in hot topics forum or corn forum or whatever other forum discussed GMO vs non-GE corn.

True, It could, would or should be posted in a different forum, however I believe the OP intended to draw attention to the issue.

It could be of interest to tomato growers if the commercial tomato industry is delving into the prospect of GM varietys.

I agree mainly with trudi that a lot of it is chicken little syndrome, but we would not know,...would we ,... if there were adverse effects to health and it wasn't called to attention.

You are fooling yourself if you think no products in the US contain GMO plants:

Currently the FDA does not require labelling of GMO products. If you eat any products that contain maltodextrin, soy lecithin, canola oil and high fructose corn syrup there is a strong liklihood they came from GMO plants.

Additionally the following products are derived from GMO:

• Milk containing rbGH

• Rennet (containing genetically modified enzymes) used to make hard cheeses

• Aspartame (NutraSweet)

The disturbing thing about high fructose corn syrup, is that is in nearly EVERYTHING and reporting done on GM corn is everywhere. I look at all the test/research fields across Iowa, and wonder.

I strive to keep it out of my diet for the normal bad health effects of high amounts of sugar.

Aspartame is one of the nastiest substances created and it too is in almost everthing as an artificial sweetner.(try to find chewing gum without it).

Haveing been reportedly linked to several serious adverse health conditions, I simply would not ingest it.
I don't believe the sky will fall due to GM tomatoes or corn, but using the road runner cartoon adage, I'm doing everthing I can to keep anvils from falling on myself and mine, by avoiding unnatural foods. I'ts just not nice to fool Mother Nature.

Drink excessive amounts of orange juice, grape juice, or other naturally sweet (from naturally occuring fructose) fruit juices from fruit grown completely organically or whatever and your doctor will diagnose you as pre-diabetic or diabetic based solely on the sugar levels in your blood test ... GE corn products, high fructose corn syrup, blah, blah, blah not withstanding.

The issues raised in the article linked in the OP are issues related to the Roundup resistant plants ability to withstand Roundup and to store the residual Roundup chemicals in the plant cells including the edible grain. Also, with regard to the Bt-gene corn containing its own naturally occuring insecticide within the grain or byproducts eaten by humans. Whatever. It still has zip to do with tomatoes unless you stretch the issue to include tomato products sweetened with corn sweeteners rendered from such grains.

Discussion should be moved, IMO. Just sayin' ...