In view of Proposition 37 being on the ballot in California six weeks from now (see our June 15, 2012 post), we call our readers’ attention to a Food and Chemical Toxicology journal article in press that links GMO-maize to carcinogenicity effects in rats.

This draft article is copyright protected. However, it has been made available by the Sustainable Food Trust on its website.

www.sustainablefoodtrust.org/

http://research.sustainablefoodtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Final-Paper.pdf

It is likely that this article will be widely quoted by pro-GMO labeling advocates in the coming month.

Regulatory Food Science professionals should read the full article, in final form, when it appears in a future issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology. The abstract is posted below.

ABSTRACT: The health effects of a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize (from 11% in the diet), cultivated with or without Roundup, and Roundup alone (from 0.1 ppb in water), were studied 2 years in rats. In females, all treated groups died 2–3 times more than controls, and more rapidly. This difference was visible in 3 male groups fed GMOs. All results were hormone and sex dependent, and the pathological profiles were comparable. Females developed large mammary tumors almost always more often than and before controls, the pituitary was the second most disabled organ; the sex hormonal balance was modified by GMO and Roundup treatments. In treated males, liver congestions and necrosis were 2.5–5.5 times higher. This pathology was confirmed by optic and transmission electron microscopy. Marked and severe kidney nephropathies were also generally 1.3–2.3 greater. Males presented 4 times more large palpable tumors than controls which occurred up to 600 days earlier. Biochemistry data confirmed very significant kidney chronic deficiencies; for all treatments and both sexes, 76% of the altered parameters were kidney related. These results can be explained by the non linear endocrine-disrupting effects of Roundup, but also by the overexpression of the transgene in the GMO and its metabolic consequences.

Gilles-Eric Séralini (University of Caen, Institute of Biology), et al., Long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize, article in press, Food and Chemical Toxicology, September 2012.