Austrian
Government Study Confirms Genetically Engineered (GM) Crops Threaten
Human Fertility and Health Safety
Advocates
Call for Immediate Ban of All GM Foods and GM Crops
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Los Angeles, CA.) - A long-term feeding
study 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 engineered (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 engineered 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,
t
here was
a direct link between the decrease in fertility and the GM diet, and that m
ice 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 engineered 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.”
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: [email protected]
Phone: +1-310-377-0915
Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
Corporate Communication: Univ.-Doz. Ingrid Kiefer
Tel: +43 50 555-25000; Email:
[email protected]
Links
Austrian Study:
http://www.ages.at/ueber-uns/
presse/pressemeldungen/
klarstellung-zu-neuen-er
Institute for Responsible Technology:
http://responsibletechnology.
org
Non-GMO Shopping Guide:
http://www.
responsibletechnology.org/
DocumentFiles/144.pdf
Genetic Roulette:
http://www.geneticroulette.com
