Genetically Manipulated Soy and Corn Toxic to Kidneys, Liver, etc.

[twoggle]

Here's an article about another recent, independent study demonstrating health hazards from GM Soy and Corn, including kidney and liver toxicity:

http://gmwatch.org/index.php/news/archive/2014/15834-gm-soy-and-maize-is-toxic-to-rats-new-detailed-study

It's too bad some people are exposed to these poisons (that being GM 'foods' and Monsanto propaganda).

 

[twoggle]

Genetically engineered crops, glyphosate and the deterioration of health in the United States of America:
http://www.organic-systems.org/journal/92/JOS_Volume-9_Number-2_Nov_2014-Swanson-et-al.pdf

The independent study detailed in a separate post above showed toxicity from GMO soy and corn. Other independent studies have found similar results. There was a recently-published study by industry-connected researchers from the "GRACE Consortium" that (magically) found no effects. More information about this studies can be found on the links below. Particularly interesting is the last section of the first link below describing how the authors sometimes hide their conflict of interest and their connection to industry shill groups such as ILSI and EFSA.
http://www.testbiotech.org/sites/default/files/Testbiotech_Doubts_%20EU_Research_Project_GRACE_2.pdf
http://www.testbiotech.org/sites/default/files/Testbiotech%20analysis%20of%20GRACE_open_letter.pdf

 

[twoggle]

In addition to studies demonstrating toxicity from GM 'foods' there is the shockingly dangerous aspect of horizontal gene transfer from some of those 'foods.' The Cauliflower Mosiac Virus Promoter (CaMV 35S) is used in some GM 'foods' to activate foreign genes that are artificially put into the plants. The virus hijacks cells and begins making endless copies of itself. One of the many concerns about GM 'foods' is that the plant genes would transfer to other plants, animals and humans exposed to the CaMV 35S virus. The following NEW study demonstrates the transfer of CaMV 35S to the cells or animals fed GM 'food.' As Dr. Mae-Wan Ho points out, "What that implies is the CaMV 35S promoter can break loose from the plant genome DNA and jump into the genome of all those other cells, with the potential to mutate, activate or inactivate genes (including those leading to cancer), reactivate dormant viruses, or create new viruses by recombination (gene shuffling)."
Full Paper (Web):
http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJB/article-full-text/BE5331948800
Full Paper (PDF):
http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJB/article-full-text-pdf/BE5331948800

Ahhhhhhh, the taste of extreme levels of herbicides in GM 'foods' based on *independent* research:
http://www.independentsciencenews.org/news/how-extreme-levels-of-roundup-in-food-became-the-industry-norm/

 

[donnay]

Great info! Glyphosate is winding up in a lot of people's urine.

 

[donnay]

Glyphosate detected in feeding tubes given to babies and children with cancer

Wednesday, January 14, 2015
by: Julie Wilson

An unthinkable, (although not entirely surprising), discovery has been made by a group called "Moms Across America," a coalition of mothers fighting to raise awareness and support regarding the dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their associated pesticides.

Thanks to contributions provided by sponsors and private citizens, Moms Across America funded an experiment that tested feeding tube liquid used in a pediatric rehabilitation hospital where one of the group's supporters is employed.

To say the findings are alarming would be a severe understatement.

According to the results, 6 out of 20 (30 percent) samples of Pediasure, a supposed "nutritional" drink given to ill children in the pediatric unit, tested positive for unsafe levels of glyphosate.

Remember, glyphosate is the primary ingredient found in Monsanto's Roundup, and is also the most widely used weedkiller in the U.S. Glyphosate application has more than doubled in recent times, increasing from around 90 million pounds in 2001 to 185 million in 2007, according to statistics provided by the Pesticide Action Network (PAN).

The pesticide has been linked to toxicity in humans, resulting in cancer, reproductive and developmental complications and neurotoxicity. It's also been directly linked to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as well as other serious health effects.

Moms Across America reports that Microbe Inotech, a lab in St. Louis, Missouri, tested Pediasure samples from the same batch, detecting glyphosate levels above 75 parts per billion (ppb) at 800 to 1,1110 times higher than has previously been proven to destroy gut bacteria in chickens, or 0.1 ppb. Another study found that 50 parts per trillion (ppt) induced liver, kidney and sex hormone changes in rats.

Continued...

 

[twoggle]

Donnay,

Thanks for posting the recent article! The Glyphosate exposure in children reminds me of this presentation discussing the links
between increasing autism rates and glyphosate exposure (the correlation and similar biomarkers):
http://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/glyphosate/Groton_Seneff.pdf
Much longer paper of glyphosate toxicity and disease available at:
http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/15/4/1416

 

[donnay]

Donnay,

Thanks for posting the recent article! The Glyphosate exposure in children reminds me of this presentation discussing the links
between increasing autism rates and glyphosate exposure (the correlation and similar biomarkers):
http://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/glyphosate/Groton_Seneff.pdf
Much longer paper of glyphosate toxicity and disease available at:
http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/15/4/1416

Good info.

Here is an older article but definitely worth the read:

Gut-Wrenching New Studies Reveal the Insidious Effects of Glyphosate

 

[twoggle]

Here is a very useful video I just found:

Top 10 GMO 'Foods' to Avoid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LAKFhDguuw&feature=youtu.be

 

[Acala]

I wish people would be a little more clear about exactly to WHAT they are attributing harmful effects. It is a VERY different matter to say on the one hand that something in a gmo crop itself is harmful versus on the other hand to say that an herbicide being sprayed ON the crop in the field is harmful. While it might seem to be purely academic if the gmo crop and the herbicide are linked in practice, it actually matters very much when trying to evaluate the risk of stray pollination of a crop that will NOT be using the herbicide.

 

[Zippyjuan]

Here's an article about another recent, independent study demonstrating health hazards from GM Soy and Corn, including kidney and liver toxicity:

http://gmwatch.org/index.php/news/archive/2014/15834-gm-soy-and-maize-is-toxic-to-rats-new-detailed-study

It's too bad some people are exposed to these poisons (that being GM 'foods' and Monsanto propaganda).

From that article:

This study did not use the non-GM isogenic (genetically the same but without the genetic modification) comparator crops in the control diet. Instead the control diet was based on wheat as the major source of protein. This diet was tested for GMO content and, in contrast with standard laboratory rodent diets, it was found to be GMO-free.

Because the non-GM isogenic comparator crops were not used in the control diet, it is not possible to conclude that the genetic modification was the cause of the toxic effects found.

 

[presence]

I wish people would be a little more clear about exactly to WHAT they are attributing harmful effects. It is a VERY different matter to say on the one hand that something in a gmo crop itself is harmful versus on the other hand to say that an herbicide being sprayed ON the crop in the field is harmful. While it might seem to be purely academic if the gmo crop and the herbicide are linked in practice, it actually matters very much when trying to evaluate the risk of stray pollination of a crop that will NOT be using the herbicide.

As I understand there are two "toxins" in GM corn.

bt toxin (which destroys intestines of insects and is implicated in intestinal issues in people) and is actually IN the genetically engineered corn.
glyphosphate (which kills vegetation and is bad for liver and kidneys) which is sprayed on genetically resistant corn. as a chemical no-till; commonly called "roundup" the most heavily used herbicide in america.

Interesting article on the implications for both on Monarch Butterflies
http://www.motherjones.com/tom-phil...ops-are-killing-monarch-butterflies-after-all


Personally, I get the worst gas from eating GM corn. It lasts for a day or two after a few pieces of cornbread. Or half a bag of cornchips. I don't keep it up because the path leads to hemorroids. Sucks because there are so many comfort foods my family prepares that I used to enjoy when I was younger that my body simply rejects now.

I still don't have any issue with local sweet corn from my neighbor that grows heirloom or organic corn chips and corn flour from the whole food store.

 

[donnay]

GMO corn was also found to contain 13 ppm of glyphosate, compared to zero in non-GMO corn. This is quite significant and well worth remembering.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “safe” level for glyphosate in American water supplies is 0.7 ppm. In Europe, the maximum allowable level in water is 0.2 ppm. Organ damage in animals has occurred at levels as low as 0.1 ppm... At 13 ppm, GMO corn contains more than 18 times the “safe” level of glyphosate set by the EPA.

This is truly disturbing when you consider the fact that in countries like Argentina, glyphosate is blamed for the dramatic increase in devastating birth defects as well as cancer. Sterility and miscarriages are also increasing. This may be due to its similarity to DDT, which is well-known to cause reproductive problems, among other things.

Another health hazard associated with glyphosate is its effect on gut bacteria. Not only does it promote the growth of more virulent pathogens, it also kills off beneficial bacteria that might keep such pathogens in check—both in the soil, and in the gut of animals or humans that ingest the contaminated crop.

It's important to understand that the glyphosate actually becomes systemic throughout the plant, so it cannot be washed off. It's inside the plant. And once you eat it, it ends up in your gut where it can wreak total havoc with your health, considering the fact that 80 percent of your immune system resides there and is dependent on a healthy ratio of good and bad bacteria.

An additional disturbing piece of information is that GMO corn contained extremely high levels of formaldehyde. According to Dr. Huber, at least one study found that 0.97 ppm of ingested formaldehyde was toxic to animals. GMO corn contains a staggering 200 times that amount! Perhaps it’s no wonder that animals, when given a choice, avoid genetically engineered feed.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/04/30/monsanto-gmo-corn.aspx

 

[Zippyjuan]

EPA levels for food are 40 ppm.

An additional disturbing piece of information is that GMO corn contained extremely high levels of formaldehyde. According to Dr. Huber, at least one study found that 0.97 ppm of ingested formaldehyde was toxic to animals. GMO corn contains a staggering 200 times that amount! Perhaps it’s no wonder that animals, when given a choice, avoid genetically engineered feed.

Meaningless stat. Even if the figure is correct (formaldehyde occurs naturally in all cells), it isn't ppm or ppb which really matters but total amount consumed. If you ate one tenth of a gram of something containing a toxin at 0.97 parts per million, (unless it is SUPER toxic) it likely won't harm you. If you consumed 100 pounds of it, that might be a problem. But so would trying to consume 100 pounds of anything. It is how many of those "parts" you consume- not the parts in a million pieces of other stuff.

 

[twoggle]

From that article:

I agree to an extent. The study was created to compared a typical, purportedly healthy GMO feed with corn and soy to another purportedly healthy non-GMO feed with wheat. It was a postmarketing biosafety assessment of real world products. It wasn't a study looking at one particular strain of corn or soy.

The results show that the GMO feed had toxic effects on the kidneys and liver as compared to the non-GMO feed. So, maybe it was the genetic modification, maybe it was the glyphosate or maybe something else. The bottom line is we know a real world GMO corn/soy feed is toxic. So, here is a study showing toxic damage after 90 days from real world GMO products, yet there are very few long (2 year) studies on toxicity (one that confirmed toxicity) and no extended human studies. Also, note that there was other research mentioned in the discussion section of the paper about GMO toxicity.

 

[twoggle]

Formaldehyde is extremely toxic to humans. Exposure to 15mg/day (1 ppm at the workplace) in the air can cause chronic toxicity. Some studies show effects from less than that. It seems to be less toxic when ingested as opposed to inhaled. Some have speculated that some of it is broken down during digestion. I really don't know how much formaldehyde is in GMO 'foods,' but avoiding them for the GMO hazards and glyphosate is enough for me.

 

[Zippyjuan]

Link to that level being toxic? (It would usually be expressed as mg per kg as body weight effects how much exposure you are actually getting). Is that milligrams or micrograms?

But let's say you ate a pound of corn. 16 ounces which is equal to about three ears. That converts to 453,592 milligrams. The article (unverified) claimed they found 200 parts per million of formaldehyde in corn. So we have to multiply our 454,000 (rounding off) by .0002 which gives us 92 mg of formaldehyde. Take a 150 pound person. They would weigh 68 kg. Dividing that by our 92 mg of formaldehyde gives us 1.4 mg/ kg. If your daily limit was 15 mg/ kg you can eat ten pounds of corn or thirty ears a day.

But we should also be aware that the body deals with formaldehyde very easily. It not only produces its own but gets rid of excess.
http://www.harpocratesspeaks.com/2012/04/demystifying-vaccine-ingredients.html

Formaldehyde plays an essential role in our metabolism. As part of the metabolic process, formaldehyde, whether from an external source or produced by our bodies, is converted into formate (PDF) by the enzyme formaldehyde dehydrogenase. The resulting formate can then be eliminated in the urine, further broken down into CO2 and exhaled, or used by our cell machinery to synthesize nucleotides and nucleobases, such as purines and thymidine.

Purines include two of the four basic building blocks of DNA: adenine and guanine. When formaldehyde is converted into formate, the body can then use it to synthesize these basic building blocks of life.

Likewise, thymidine, also called deoxythymidine, is integral to life. It is a nucleoside, which is a class of compounds that are components of nucleic acids; in other words, you need thymidine to make the nucleic acid thymine. They also perform a lot of other important functions. Nucleosides mediate hormone signaling and play a role in blood pressure and energy transfer, among other things (Jucker, 1993). Formaldehyde provides your body with the compounds necessary to synthesize thymidine. Just like with purines, if your body stopped using formaldehyde to make these basic compounds, well, all of your worries would disappear, since you'd be dead.

Even before the advent of industrial uses of formaldehyde, humans, as with every other animal on Earth, had been exposed to formaldehyde through the foods they ate, the environments in which they lived and their own metabolic processes. They developed the means to use the chemical for their own cellular function, as well as the ability to get rid of excess amounts that would otherwise be toxic.

It has also been observed (PDF) that low-level chronic irritation and damage is reversible, that damage tends to be localized to the specific point of exposure and that it does not produce any negative effects on reproductive health or in fetuses. Carcinogenic effects appear to be only related to inhalation, affecting tissues along the respiratory pathways. But even then, there is little data in the literature showing a consistent causal relationship. Any cancerous effects, then, appear to be primarily at rather high levels of exposure.

hence the part in your quote about the exposure coming through the air.

Exposure to 15mg/day (1 ppm at the workplace) in the air can cause chronic toxicity.

Which I guess means that a 150 pound person can inhale 30 ears of corn a day. Which I would not recommend you try.

 

[twoggle]

Link to that level being toxic? (It would usually be expressed as mg per kg as body weight effects how much exposure you are actually getting).

In air exposure it's almost always expressed in ppm because research is done on the effects of X parts per million (ppm) exposure to formaldehyde. Everyone in the study will inhale slightly different quantities because their respiration is different. But a typical formula would be:

1 ppm formaldehyde ~= 1.5 mg/m3
1.5 mg/m3 * 10 m3/workday = 15 mg/day (for a workday)

Here a link with a variety of limits:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK217660/?report=reader

 

[Zippyjuan]

In air exposure it's almost always expressed in ppm because research is done on the effects of X parts per million (ppm) exposure to formaldehyde. Everyone in the study will inhale slightly different quantities because their respiration is different. But a typical formula would be:

1 ppm formaldehyde ~= 1.5 mg/m3
1.5 mg/m3 * 10 m3/workday = 15 mg/day (for a workday)

Here a link with a variety of limits:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK217660/?report=reader

Thanks for the info.

 

[angelatc]

As I understand there are two "toxins" in GM corn.

bt toxin (which destroys intestines of insects and is implicated in intestinal issues in people) and is actually IN the genetically engineered corn.

Organic farmers use bt too.

 

[angelatc]

LOL - Good luck avoiding formaldehyde.

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/intheworkplace/formaldehyde