GM Foods and CancerGM Foods and Cancer

Is there a link?

Judyta Blaszczyk

Structure of presentationStructure of presentation

1. What is ‘GM’?2. Potential risks for human health3. Experiment on rats fed with

GM maize4. Food labelling5. Conclusions

6. Resources7. Q&A

2

What isWhat is ‘ ‘GMGM’’??Inserting genetic material into DNA Examples: ‘super pigs’ with human

growth genes, fish with cattle growth genes

Switching on/off certain genes Examples: ripening fruits

>70% of processed foods include GM ingredients

3http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3711507.stm

RisksRisks

WHO (2012) ‘GM foods currently available on the international market

have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, no effects

on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the

countries where they have been approved.’

BUT no rigorous, long-term safety testing carried out unexpected effects on gut bacetria Animal tests - worrying health effects

4

The The EExperimentxperimentrats fed for two years on:

3 concentrations of GM maize

50% male, 70% female died earlier Palpable tumoursKidney disease and liver disease more common

non-GM maize

30% male, 20% female diedsome also developed tumours but later than the first group

5

Food Food LabellingLabelling

84286 GM

95413 organic

8235 conventionally grown

http://www.gmo-compass.org/features/zoomimage.php?image=/data/imagescontent/regulation/050_dressing_label_zoom.jpg&width=500&height=332 6

ConclusionsConclusions

no data showing that GM is not harmful

be up-to-date with EU food regulations

more research needed in this field

7

ResourcesResources Séralini G, Clair E, Mesnage R et al. Long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and

a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize. Food and Chemical Toxicology. Published online September 19 2012 http://gefoodlabels.org/2012/10/04/center-for-food-safety-releases-new-

genetically-engineered-food-labeling-law-map/#more-240 http://www.saynotogmos.org/10reasons_need.pdf http://www.food.gov.uk/policy-advice/gm/gm_labelling http://www.food.gov.uk/policy-advice/gm/basics/

8

Thank you very much for your attention!

http://inhabitat.com/people-of-california-to-vote-on-gmo-labels-for-genetically-modified-foods-this-novemeber/