2008 articles

EXTRACT: The findings are deeply worrying... They include reproductive problems in buffalo and [in] herds of sheep and goats (reduced fertility, aborted foetuses, premature deliveries and calf deaths), toxic effects leading to sudden unexplained deaths, as well as reduced milk yields and fat content.
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SCIENCE IN AUSTRIA AND FARMER EVIDENCE IN INDIA CONVERGE
AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT STUDY CONFIRMS GM CROPS THREATEN HUMAN FERTILITY AND HEALTH SAFETY
Advocates Call for Immediate Ban on All GM Foods and GM Crops
PRESS RELEASE

NOVEMBER 2008: AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT RAT FEEDING STUDY WITH BT CORN AND MONSANTO'S HERBICIDE ROUNDUP READY.

A long-term multi-generational feeding study commissioned by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, carried out by Veterinary University Vienna, confirms that feeding mice with genetically modified corn developed by the US-based Monsanto Corporation led to lower fertility and body weight.

Lead author of the study Professor Zentek said that there was a direct link between the decrease in fertility and the GM diet, and that mice 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), and 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 EVIDENCE OF SCIENCE AND OF INDIAN FARMERS IS THE SAME

Hissar, (Haryana) Investigation of Bt Cotton health impacts in mid November '08
Aruna Rodrigues (Petitioner No1 to the SC [Supreme Court] of India with co-petitioners Rajeev Baruah, PV Satheesh and Devinder Sharma,) has just returned from an investigation in four villages in the area of Hissar, of about 20 village house-holds. She was accompanied by two experienced vets from Anthra, Pune.

The findings are deeply worrying & serious. They include reproductive problems in buffalo and shepherd herds of sheep and goats (reduced fertility, aborted foetuses, premature deliveries and calf deaths), toxic effects leading to sudden unexplained deaths, as well as reduced milk yields and fat content.

The allergenicity incidents are more easily correlated to the Bt cotton harvesting season and cotton-picking. So also reduced milk yields are more easily identified with the introduction of Bt cotton and feeding with Bt cotton meal and boiled Bt cotton seed, given to milch cattle to increase milk yields and fat content. Instead of a rise in both, as winter approaches, there is a marked reduction of an average of around 25%.

These reports are in common with those reported earlier from Maharashtra, Andhra, MP & Punjab over the last few years. Yet, it is curious that the GEAC has consistently ignored farmers and their experience and knowledge of their fields, soil, animals, children and their labour.

The refusal to undertake anything less than the most exhaustive and rigorous investigation through long term  rat feeding studies and other measures is a clear indication of their pro GM agenda at the expense of public health and the environment. This is directly attributable to the proven conflict of interest within the GEAC and the official Government policy to promote GM crops.

The Indian Government does not subject GMOs to sound bio-safety studies and rigorous, long term risk assessment. The Nation is greatly imperilled by their unscientific approach. A moratorium has been called for in the Supreme Court.

Aruna Rodrigues 18th November, 08