Government Study Confirms Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Threaten Human Fertili

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Media Contact: NJ Jaeger

Email: _njarchive_ (njarchive)

Phone: +1-310-377-0915

 

Austrian Government Study Confirms Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Threaten

Human Fertility and Health Safety

 

Advocates Call for Immediate Ban of All GM Foods and GM Crops

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 13, 2008)

 

(Los Angeles, CA.) - A long-term feeding study

_http://www.ages.at/ueber-uns/presse/pressemeldungen/_

(http://www.ages.at/ueber-uns/presse/pressemeldungen/) commissioned by the

Austrian Agency for

Health and Food Safety, managed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health,

Family and Youth, and carried out by Veterinary University Vienna, confirms

genetically modified (GM) corn seriously affects reproductive health in mice.

Non-GMO advocates, who have warned about this infertility link along with other

health risks, now seek an immediate ban of all GM foods and GM crops to

protect the health of humankind and the fertility of women around the world.

 

Feeding mice with genetically modified corn developed by the US-based

Monsanto Corporation led to lower fertility and body weight, according to the

study

conducted by the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Lead author of

the study Professor Zentek said, there was a direct link between the

decrease in fertility and the GM diet, and that mice fed with non-GE corn

reproduced

more efficiently.

 

In the study, Austrian scientists performed several long-term feeding trials

over 20 weeks with laboratory mice fed a diet containing 33% of a GM variety

(NK 603 x MON 810), or a closely related non-GE variety used in many

countries. Statistically significant litter size and pup weight decreases were

found

in the third and fourth litters in the GM-fed mice, compared to the control

group.

 

The corn is genetically modified with genes that produce a pesticidal toxin,

as well as genes that allow it to survive applications of Monsanto’s

herbicide Roundup.

 

A book by author Jeffrey M. Smith, Genetic Roulette, distributed to members

of congress last year, documents 65 serious health risks of GM products,

including similar fertility problems with GM soy and GM corn: Offspring of rats

fed GM soy showed a five-fold increase in mortality, lower birth weights, and

the inability to reproduce. Male mice fed GM soy had damaged young sperm

cells. The embryo offspring of GM soy-fed mice had altered DNA functioning.

Several US farmers reported sterility or fertility problems among pigs and cows

fed on GM corn varieties. Additionally, over the last two months, investigators

in India have documented fertility problems, abortions, premature births,

and other serious health issues, including deaths, among buffaloes fed GM

cottonseed products.

 

The principle GM crops are soy, corn, cottonseed and canola. GM sugar from

sugar beets will also be introduced before year*s end.

 

Mr. Smith, who is also the Executive Director of the Institute for

Responsible Technology says, **GM foods are likely responsible for several

negative

health trends in the US. The government must impose an immediate ban on these

dangerous crops.** He says, **Consumers don’t need to wait for governmental

action. They can download a free Non-GMO Shopping Guide at

_www.HealthierEating.org_ (http://www.HealthierEating.org) .**

 

Monsanto press offices in the UK and USA were unable to provide a comment on

the findings for journalists yesterday.

 

The Institute for Responsible Technology’s Campaign for Healthier Eating in

America mobilizes citizens, organizations, businesses, and the media, to

achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection of genetically modified foods.

 

The Institute educates people about the documented health risks of GMOs and

provides them with healthier non-GMO product choices.

 

The Institute also informs policy makers and the public around the world

about the impacts of GMOs on health, environment, the economy, and agriculture,

and the problems associated with current research, regulation, corporate

practices, and reporting.

 

###

 

Institute For Responsible Technology

Media Contact: NJ Jaeger

Expert Contact: Jeffrey M. Smith

Email: _njmail_ (njmail)

Phone: +1-310-377-0915

 

Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety

Corporate Communication: Univ.-Doz. Ingrid Kiefer

Tel: +43 50 555-25000; E-Mail: _ingrid.kiefer_

(ingrid.kiefer)

 

Links

 

Austrian Study:

_http://www.ages.at/ueber-uns/presse/pressemeldungen/klarstellung-zu-neuen-er_

(http://www.ages.at/ueber-uns/presse/pressemeldungen/klarstellung-zu-neuen-er)

Institute for Responsible Technology: _http://responsibletechnology.org_

(http://responsibletechnology.org)

Non-GMO Shopping Guide:

_http://www.responsibletechnology.org/DocumentFiles/144.pdf_

(http://www.responsibletechnology.org/DocumentFiles/144.pdf)

Genetic Roulette: _http://www.geneticroulette.com_

(http://www.geneticroulette.com)

 

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