French study shows risk from GM maize

22 September 2012 – “These data are alarming”, said Gilles-Eric Seralini, professor at the University of Caen and expert on genetically modified food. Laboratory mice that scientists fed GMO corn, died younger and were more likely to contract cancer than controls (animals that were fed normally). The French study was published in “Food and Chemical Toxicology” journal.

For the purposes of this research, scientists looked at 200 laboratory mice over a period of two years. One group was fed corn NK603, the second was fed corn sprayed with pesticides. Both types of corn were genetically modified. The third group was fed conventional corn, which was also treated, but in much smaller quantities than the previous two types.

“At 17 months from the start of the research, the group that was fed GMO corn had five times more dead animals than the group that was fed unmodified corn,” said Seralini. “The GM corn is tolerant to pesticides, and the corn creates its own pesticide,” he added. France is fighting against genetically modified agriculture and banned the cultivation and import of genetically modified corn. However, the EU agencies point out the ban on cultivation and import must be grounded on harmful effects of genetically modified maize to humans, animals and the environment.

Adapted from: dnevnik.hr