It became clear why Monsanto was hiding the data from the rat studies. Ecologists believe that it is necessary to radically change the system of registration and control of GMOs, which does not guarantee safety to the consumer.
As it became known, a press conference was held in Paris by a group of scientists from the Committee for Independent Information and Research in Genetic Engineering (Paris), the Institute of Biology of the University of Caen (Caen), the University of Rouen (Mont Saint-Aignan), who conducted an independent verification of the data Monsanto”on the transgenic corn it sells. The study investigated the effects of GM maize MON 863 on experimental animals. This GM culture contains the Cry3Bb1 gene of the earth bacterium, which codes for the production of a toxin that repels diabrotic (an insect pest). The researchers published their data in the March issue of the peer-reviewed scientific journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. The product, approved for the nutrition of the population in the European Union and Russia, turned out to be toxic to the liver and kidneys.
French scientists said that Monsanto used statistical analysis methods that allowed it to conceal serious abnormalities found in rats that ate transgenic corn. In particular, it turned out that the level of triglycerides (fats) in the blood of females increased by 40%, and the level of phosphorus and sodium in the urine of males decreased by 30%, which cannot be called a deviation within the normal range.
“These results highlight the need for more research and support the need for an immediate ban on the use of this line of corn in human and animal food,” said Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini, team leader.
The Monsanto corn scandal began a few years ago. The company applied for registration of the variety in the EU, but reporters learned that internal research by the firm revealed serious health problems in the experimental animals. Information about this was published in the press, the public and government agencies demanded to publish all the data, but Monsanto refused. On June 10, 2005, a court in Cologne (Germany) ordered the biotechnology corporation Monsanto to publish the results of all studies on GM maize MON 863. The lawsuit was initiated by Greenpeace with the support of the German government. In an attempt to prevent the documents from being publicized, Monsanto filed a counterclaim against the German government, but lost.
The document was published with some cuts, after which, despite public outcry, in August 2005, transgenic corn was registered in the EU as a food product for humans.
While debates were going on in Europe and a lawsuit against Monsanto was developing, in Russia transgenic maize MON863 was approved back in 2003 (registration certificate No. 77.99.02.916. G.000010.04.03). The permit was issued without public comment, and everything proceeded as usual behind closed doors.
“It remains a mystery what the Rospotrebnadzor and the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences were guided by when stamping out the next GMO registration certificate. If Monsanto did not provide truthful information to the European control authorities, there are great doubts that this data was available to Russian officials, says Victoria Kopeikina, secretary of the CIS Alliance for Biosafety.
Promotional video:
Research abstracts (in English) are available here.
