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New research questions GM food safety
Last edited: 2002-07-19
A new study on genetically engineered food rings
alarm bells for human health, questioning approval systems for genetically
modified (GM) food, and validating concerns that GM food is untested
and unsafe.
This study shows the potential for antibiotic
resistance to increase as a result of eating GM food. The GM industry
has denied this for years while they rush GM food into commercialisation.
The study, carried out by Newcastle University
for the UK Food Standards Agency, revealed genetically engineered
genes are showing up in human stomach bacteria. The researchers
fed seven volunteers, who have had their lower intestines removed,
a hamburger with GM soya and a milkshake. The stools tested from
the volunteersí colostomy bags showed that a relatively large portion
of the genetically engineered DNA made its way through the small
bowel.
The study went further - to see if this genetically
engineered DNA could be transferred via bacteria in the large intestine.
In laboratory simulated gastrointestinal tracts, three of the seven
samples revealed human gut bacteria had taken on the herbicide-resistant
gene.
What is astounding is that this is the first
known trial of GE foods on human volunteers. The new study questions
the validity of the ëapprove first, test laterí approach to allowing
GM in our food.
Source:
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/contentlookup.cfm?CFID=66706&CFTOKEN=46761772&ucidparam=20020719175614
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