Download - Judyta blaszczyk
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
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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
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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
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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
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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/
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Thank you very much for your attention!
http://inhabitat.com/people-of-california-to-vote-on-gmo-labels-for-genetically-modified-foods-this-novemeber/