Effects on the Organ Systems, Cells, and Organelles
Organ Failure and Tumors
In a French study done on Rats, which were fed a lifetime diet of Monsanto's genetically modified corn or exposed to its top-selling weed killer Roundup, the rats suffered tumors and multiple organ damage.
Once again this strikes the wonder and controversy of the true health long-term effects of GM corn and other foods which people consume.
Gilles-Eric Seralini of the University of Caen and colleagues said rats fed on a diet containing NK603 - a corn seed variety made tolerant to dousing of Roundup - or given water-containing Roundup at levels permitted in the United States died earlier than those on a standard diet.
The animals on the GM diet suffered mammary tumors, as well as severe liver and kidney damage. Image to the right shows the side effects of the diet which was given to the rats.
The researchers said 50 percent of males and 70 percent of females died prematurely. These numbers can be compared with only 30 percent and 20 percent which dies in the control group.
In a French study done on Rats, which were fed a lifetime diet of Monsanto's genetically modified corn or exposed to its top-selling weed killer Roundup, the rats suffered tumors and multiple organ damage.
Once again this strikes the wonder and controversy of the true health long-term effects of GM corn and other foods which people consume.
Gilles-Eric Seralini of the University of Caen and colleagues said rats fed on a diet containing NK603 - a corn seed variety made tolerant to dousing of Roundup - or given water-containing Roundup at levels permitted in the United States died earlier than those on a standard diet.
The animals on the GM diet suffered mammary tumors, as well as severe liver and kidney damage. Image to the right shows the side effects of the diet which was given to the rats.
The researchers said 50 percent of males and 70 percent of females died prematurely. These numbers can be compared with only 30 percent and 20 percent which dies in the control group.
Eating Genetically Modified Foods
Eating GM foods has proven, to an extent, the possibility for devastating health effects. As mentioned above, studies done in rats have shown that eating GM foods is comparable to eating thalidomide. The study showed that rats given even small amounts of GM food quickly gained tumors throughout their body. Specifically, the tumors were found to be growing in the mammary glands (breast resulting in breast tumors). There was also severe damage to the tissues of the liver and kidneys of the rats.
Effects on the Digestive System
More and more studies are finding that GMO’s are a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. The digestive system is where the body is exposed when ingesting these harmful foods and it is said that reversing the damaging effects of these foods is nearly impossible. Studies done on mice and rats, show proof that the digestive system grows bigger for some strange reason.
Furthermore, due to lack of testing and long-term studies, the consequences on the digestive tract of animals, including people, who eat GMO products are unknown. According ProQuest, a 1999 article published in Lancet examined the effects of GMO potatoes on the digestive tract in rats and found appreciable differences in the intestines of rats fed GMO potatoes and rats fed unmodified potatoes. However, the gene introduced into the potatoes was already known to be toxic to mammals.
Eating GM foods has proven, to an extent, the possibility for devastating health effects. As mentioned above, studies done in rats have shown that eating GM foods is comparable to eating thalidomide. The study showed that rats given even small amounts of GM food quickly gained tumors throughout their body. Specifically, the tumors were found to be growing in the mammary glands (breast resulting in breast tumors). There was also severe damage to the tissues of the liver and kidneys of the rats.
Effects on the Digestive System
More and more studies are finding that GMO’s are a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. The digestive system is where the body is exposed when ingesting these harmful foods and it is said that reversing the damaging effects of these foods is nearly impossible. Studies done on mice and rats, show proof that the digestive system grows bigger for some strange reason.
Furthermore, due to lack of testing and long-term studies, the consequences on the digestive tract of animals, including people, who eat GMO products are unknown. According ProQuest, a 1999 article published in Lancet examined the effects of GMO potatoes on the digestive tract in rats and found appreciable differences in the intestines of rats fed GMO potatoes and rats fed unmodified potatoes. However, the gene introduced into the potatoes was already known to be toxic to mammals.
GMO Foods Affecting the Human Population
Some scientists think they see GMO foods cause autism like symptoms in lab animals. GMO fed animals and their offspring have shown marked differences in behavior to animals fed non-GMO feed. Some scientists say the animals antisocial behavior is similar to symptoms children diagnosed with autism exhibit. Scientists investigating this phenomena are also looking at long term correlations and statistical data worldwide. The main goal is find out if the GMO's are truly related to increases in autism.
Although some independent scientists are pointing to the dramatic increase in autism rates in the U.S. since the early 1990s, the question becomes if the increase in autism directly correlated to when GMO foods first hit the store shelves. Although the visualization is alarming, we also have to make sure the connection is truly there to prove GMO foods cause autism.
Links Between Digestion Disorders in Livestock and Autistic Children
About 70% of children diagnosed with autism are found to have digestive disorders. These symptoms include inflammation, intestinal permeability, and imbalances in the intestinal flora (bacterial makeup). The same symptoms also appear in animals fed GMO products. The correlation is said to be if GMO foods cause an imbalance in gut flora and this can lead to neurological problems, then it is likely GMO products might cause autism, too.
One of the earliest indications that GMOs might cause problems in the small intestine was a 1999 study published in the Lancet entitled: "Effects of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine".After rats were given GMO potatoes for 10 days, their stomach lining cells and intestines were drastically altered.
Some scientists think they see GMO foods cause autism like symptoms in lab animals. GMO fed animals and their offspring have shown marked differences in behavior to animals fed non-GMO feed. Some scientists say the animals antisocial behavior is similar to symptoms children diagnosed with autism exhibit. Scientists investigating this phenomena are also looking at long term correlations and statistical data worldwide. The main goal is find out if the GMO's are truly related to increases in autism.
Although some independent scientists are pointing to the dramatic increase in autism rates in the U.S. since the early 1990s, the question becomes if the increase in autism directly correlated to when GMO foods first hit the store shelves. Although the visualization is alarming, we also have to make sure the connection is truly there to prove GMO foods cause autism.
Links Between Digestion Disorders in Livestock and Autistic Children
About 70% of children diagnosed with autism are found to have digestive disorders. These symptoms include inflammation, intestinal permeability, and imbalances in the intestinal flora (bacterial makeup). The same symptoms also appear in animals fed GMO products. The correlation is said to be if GMO foods cause an imbalance in gut flora and this can lead to neurological problems, then it is likely GMO products might cause autism, too.
One of the earliest indications that GMOs might cause problems in the small intestine was a 1999 study published in the Lancet entitled: "Effects of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine".After rats were given GMO potatoes for 10 days, their stomach lining cells and intestines were drastically altered.
Effects GMO's Have on Trigliceride Levels
This chart shows the triglyceride levels in rats fed with 33% GMO linked corn (chart A) and the control group (chart B). The study looked at the different markers during week 5 and 14 during the study, and the bold, dotted line is the average viariation. From the chart, we can see that the blood triglyceride levels are higher overall among the rats being fed GMO linked corn, while they triglyceride levels drop in the control group (chart B).
High Fructose Corn Syrup Linked to Obesity
Consumption of High Fructose Corn Syrup in the U.S. has grown to 60 Pounds per person per year. This is roughly 5.3 gallons of syrup per person. The worry behind this high amount is the link between high fructose corn syrup and obesity, abnormal increases in body fat, and rising blood levels of tryglycerides.
According to a Princeton University study on Feb. 26, 2012; "Animals with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained 46% more weight than those eating a normal diet". Over the last four decades, the number of people considered to be obese in the U.S. population has more than doubled according to the Center for Disease Control.
High Fructose Corn syrup accounts for 40% of the sweeteners used in the U.S. Most of them found in packaged foods, which can include canned soups, condiments, yogurt, salad dressing, and bottled drinks.
As a result of the short term effects seen in the above mentioned studies and the unknown long-term effects, people should be more cautious when purchasing foods and be aware of the possible effects of the GMO's. Although canceling all GMO's from one's diet may be difficult, the knowledge of the effects on the body can help deter one from making some unhealthy decisions.
According to a Princeton University study on Feb. 26, 2012; "Animals with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained 46% more weight than those eating a normal diet". Over the last four decades, the number of people considered to be obese in the U.S. population has more than doubled according to the Center for Disease Control.
High Fructose Corn syrup accounts for 40% of the sweeteners used in the U.S. Most of them found in packaged foods, which can include canned soups, condiments, yogurt, salad dressing, and bottled drinks.
As a result of the short term effects seen in the above mentioned studies and the unknown long-term effects, people should be more cautious when purchasing foods and be aware of the possible effects of the GMO's. Although canceling all GMO's from one's diet may be difficult, the knowledge of the effects on the body can help deter one from making some unhealthy decisions.
Reinaldo Coriano & Saul Mangel