Monsanto goes on offensive over GM/cancer study
Monsanto has moved to discredit research linking its GM maize and best-selling weedkiller Roundup to increased rates of cancer in rats.
The biotech giant claimed the peer-reviewed study, published last week in the journal Food & Chemical Toxicology, did not meet minimum scientific research standards.
It concluded that rats fed NK603 maize or drinking water containing small traces of Roundup developed multiple organ failure and died earlier than rats supplied with conventional maize and drinking water free from Roundup.
That was the first study to look at the long-term effects of Roundup and NK603, which has been approved for human consumption based on 90-day feeding trials. Scientists found that rats developed mammary tumours and severe liver and kidney damages as early as four months in males and seven in females, compared with 23 months and 14 months respectively in a control group.
“This study does not meet minimum acceptable standards for this type of scientific research, the findings are not supported by the data presented and the conclusions are not relevant for the purpose of safety assessment,” Monsanto claimed in a statement over the weekend.
“Toxicologists and public health experts find fundamental problems with the study design. Critical information about how the research was conducted is absent, and the data presented do not support the author’s interpretations.”
Monsanto said the research protocol fell short of standards set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development. It claimed the source and quality of maize used was unclear, that critical details on diet preparation and intake were absent, there was lack of statistical analysis for mortality or tumour endpoints and a lack of data to support assertions about liver and kidney disease.
Monsanto also claimed the mortality and tumour incidences fell within the norm for the strain of lab rat used in the study.
“There is no plausible mechanism for the results reported with genetically modified maize and the results are inconsistent with an extensive body of experience and scientific study,” the company argued.
“Extensive animal and in-vitro (test-tube) data has demonstrated that glyphosate does not cause cancer or tumours, nor is an endocrine disrupter. This study does not provide information which calls into question the extensive safety evaluations of glyphosate or Roundup herbicides.”
Readers' comments (6)
A. Gren | 24 Sep 2012 11:45
The story repeats itself...
Monsanto Hid Decades Of Pollution
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A46648-2001Dec31
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Peter Halwell-Jones | 24 Sep 2012 12:47
There's a response to Monsanto's unscientific attempt to wriggle out of this hole of its own making here:
http://gmwatch.org/latest-listing/51-2012/14226
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Scott | 24 Sep 2012 15:06
From my perspective, Monsanto, and the entire GMO biotech cartel, have been on the offensive since the mid-90s...offending human and animal immune systems with a wide range of patented DNA traits found no where in nature.
The essence of GMOs as part of the global food supply is the result of a coordinated offensive to focus on a very specific customer base representing less than 1% of the global population which serves as the doorway to reach the other 99%. Selling GMOs to farmers placed the GM biotech cartel squarely onto the dinner tables of eaters globally...without any warning, education, labeling or proof that GMOs were safe.
GMOs and the industry pimps who produce and promote them are the embodiment of offensive...and deceiving.
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Roger Pelizzari | 25 Sep 2012 16:08
Who's going to believe Monsanto?
New report by genetic engineers:
Why genetically engineered food is dangerous
http://earthopensource.org/index.php/news/60-why-genetically-engineered-food-is-dangerous-new-report-by-genetic-engineers
19 Studies Link GMOs to Organ Disruption —http://www.responsibletechnology.org/posts/?p=1340
Monsanto's herbicide causing Sudden Death Syndrome in plants
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_22488.cfm
Doctors Warn - Avoid Genetically Modified Food
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/03/25/doctors-warn-avoid-genetically-modified-food.aspx
GM Crops Decimating Monarch Butterflies Habitats
http://www.non-gmoreport.com/articles/july2011/GMcropsmonarchbutterflieshabitat.php
Guide for the confused — http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_1860.cfm
Monsanto tried to block Austrian government research linking GMOs & Infertility
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_15720.cfm
GMOs failing across America - Farmer to Farmer film reveals disastrous failure
http://www.naturalnews.com/z033264_farmers_GMOs.html
Syngenta corporation faces criminal charges for covering up livestock deaths from GM corn
http://www.naturalnews.com/036315_Syngenta_GM_corn_livestock_deaths.html
Deliberate misuse of the term "genetically modified" designed to mislead people
http://www.naturalnews.com/031105_genetically_modified_GMO.html
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SZeitler | 26 Sep 2012 2:51
It's becoming quite clear why Monsanto wants to keep GMOs a secret and leave Americans in the dark about what they are truly eating. They are secretly having our entire US population consuming this frankenfood poison for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and as long as they have their money and power, they don't care. It's time to fight back!! Eat organic and in California, vote YES on Prop 37!!!
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Steven | 26 Sep 2012 8:06
Stay away from GM food, unless you want to live a life with diseases and health problems!
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