Results from animal testing show differences between rats fed GMO versus non-GMO corn. Photo: Understanding Animal Research.
This is Page 2 of a 3-page article. If you are just joining us, please read Page 1 first.

Related studies
In an effort to gain a deeper insight into the findings of kidney and liver pathology in rats fed NK603 corn over a two-year period (Séralini et al, 2014), a full transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis was conducted of the kidneys and livers from the female animals (Mesnage et al, 2017a). Transcriptomics analysis looks at the gene expression patterns in the organs and metabolomics analysis looks at the metabolites present in the organs.
Tissues from the liver and kidneys of three groups of rats were tested:

  • Rats fed a diet consisting of 33% GMO NK603 corn that had been sprayed once with Roundup herbicide during cultivation
  • Rats fed a diet of 33% GMO NK603 corn that was not sprayed with Roundup during cultivation
  • Rats fed a control diet of 33% non-GMO corn that was the nearest available relative to the GM corn, but without the genetic modification (called the non-GMO isogenic variety).

Statistically significant changes were observed in the levels of some metabolites in test groups compared to controls; 23 in NK603 + Roundup kidneys, 51 in NK603 kidneys, 12 in NK603 + Roundup livers and 56 in NK603 livers. Several metabolites that were indicative of organ damage were found to be altered in test animals fed the GMO corn as compared with control animals fed the non-GMO isogenic corn. For example:

  • The metabolite 3-methylhistidine was found to be elevated in the kidney tissue of animals fed GMO NK603 corn, both with and without Roundup application. This is an indicator of protein catabolism (breakdown), in particular from the degradation of muscle tissue. The degradation of muscle tissues generates free 3-methylhistidine, which is slowly released into the bloodstream, from where it is filtered by the kidneys. The measurement of 3-methylhistidine provides an index of the rate of muscle protein breakdown.
  • In the liver of animals fed GMO NK603 corn, both with and without Roundup application, there was an accumulation of potentially toxic polyamines (putrescine and spermidine), which could suggest an elevated metabolic state. This state of increased metabolic activity can signal underlying health issues and/or injury to this organ. Typically, polyamines are highly active in rapidly proliferating cells, although their levels fluctuate during the cell cycle and accumulate in the regenerating liver. This suggests that the liver may have been damaged and is trying to repair itself. However, the increased levels of polyamines in the liver could also be explained by an increased dietary intake since the NK603 corn tested in this study had previously been found to contain more polyamines than its non-GMO near-isogenic counterpart (Mesnage et al, 2017a).

Statistical analysis
In spite of the above findings, when the dataset as a whole was statistically analyzed by applying a tool called the Benjamini-Hochberg correction, a high score was obtained, implying that the changes in individual metabolites could have arisen by chance (Mesnage et al, 2017a). However, it is important to note that this does not mean that the significant changes seen were not real or valid. It simply means that definitive conclusions cannot be drawn from these findings.
In addition, differences observed between individuals within a given group were greater than the metabolic effect of the different diets (Mesnage et al, 2017a).
Due to these factors, the authors of the study concluded that the biological relevance of the statistically significant differences presented in this study was unclear and that it was not possible to draw firm conclusions of harm or safety regarding the effects of consumption of this GMO corn (Mesnage et al, 2017a).
The statistical analysis suggests that the way to resolve the uncertainties regarding any toxic effects arising from consumption of GMO NK603 corn is to perform an experiment with larger numbers of animals. This would increase the statistical power of the study such that even low-level toxic effects, as may have been seen here, are highlighted.
In contrast, clear results were obtained from a similar molecular profiling analysis (Mesnage et al, 2017b) of the liver tissues of rats from the same original long-term feeding study (Séralini et al, 2014) that had been given a very low dose of Roundup in their drinking water, below regulatory permitted levels. In the molecular profiling analysis, a protein composition profile (“proteomics”) and small molecule metabolite biochemical profile (“metabolomics”) investigation of the same liver samples showed that the Roundup-fed rats suffered from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study is unique in that it is the first to show a causative link between consumption of Roundup at a real-world environmental dose and a serious disease condition (Mesnage et al, 2017b).
EU research study
After the publication of the initial animal feeding study in which rats were fed NK603 maize and very low doses of Roundup over a long-term two-year period (Séralini et al, 2014), the EU launched a two-year carcinogenicity study with GMO NK603 corn (G-TwYST, 2014).] The research project is called G-TwYST and the results are expected to be announced in 2018.
However, the Germany-based research group Testbiotech has raised questions about the scientific integrity and independence from industry of G-TwYST and its interconnected project, GRACE (Testbiotech, 2015). In 2013 a report published by Testbiotech showed that several members of the GRACE and G-TwYST research teams had strong ties with institutions that are financed by industry, either completely or to a large extent. Amongst those institutions were the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) and International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR) (Bauer-Panskus and Then, 2013).
As evidence that the industry ties of the researchers might influence their presentation and interpretation of scientific results, Testbiotech pointed to (Testbiotech, 2015) a publication by the GRACE team of the results from a feeding study on rats fed a GMO Bt corn, MON810, over 90 days (Zeljenková et al, 2014). (GMO Bt crops are engineered to express Bt toxins, which are insecticides derived from a soil bacterium.) The GMO corn-fed rats had decreased total serum protein and pancreas weight, with the latter accompanied by increased blood glucose levels. These effects were statistically significant and dose-dependent, reinforcing the strength of the findings. Nevertheless, the authors dismissed them, among other effects of the GMO diet, as toxicologically irrelevant (Zeljenková et al, 2014). It is important that the G-TwYST research team avoid such practices in reporting the NK603 results.

Continue reading: Page 3 »

 

Related Posts

Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire

Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire

Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire (PEHQ)

August 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org

Assessing the Top Ten Toxic Exposures in Children

The Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire (PEHQ) is a tool for practitioners and parents to aid in assessing children at risk of harm due to environmental toxicants. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, but a screening aid to identify at-risk children and create awareness regarding a prominent and overlooked contributor to chronic health issues.

The questions evaluate the ten most likely sources of childhood environmental toxicants and should be included as part of a complete intake in all children in clinical settings, as well as by parents at home.

It is of primary importance to reduce exposure and the toxic load. Children have increased susceptibility and toxicity from exposures far greater than adults due to their size, childhood behaviors (i.e., exploring their world hand-to-mouth), and lowered detoxification abilities as compared to adults.

read more
Get the Lead Out

Get the Lead Out

Time to Rock and Roll: Get the Lead Out!

June 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org

We are at the fork in the road — do we really want to protect our children or are we at an attitude of platitude?

The Infant Formula Toxic Metal Study Getting Press

Moms Across America, The New MDS, and GMOScience, banded together and did the work of regulatory agencies. We’ve confirmed what officials already knew; infant formula, the only food for many babies, is contaminated and it has been given a pass.

However, this David and Goliath tale has not gone unnoticed and has been picked up by global news agencies, including Dr. Mercola, The Exposé, Children’s Health Defense, and The Townsend Letter. Additionally, the FDA has made recommendations to Congress regarding the Safe Baby Food Act based on our joint meeting regarding our findings in May 2024.

Millions of parents are now becoming aware of the toxic metal contamination in the formulas that they are feeding their most vulnerable and immediate action must occur to rectify this situation.

read more
The Alliance of  Censorship and Propaganda

The Alliance of Censorship and Propaganda

The Alliance of Censorship and Propaganda

June 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org

Censorship and propaganda are intrinsically linked as tools of information control used to shape public perception and influence societal attitudes. Censorship involves the suppression or restriction of access to information, often to prevent dissenting or opposing viewpoints from reaching the public. This creates a controlled information environment where only select narratives are allowed to prevail. Propaganda, on the other hand, actively disseminates specific information, often biased or misleading, to promote a particular political agenda or ideology.

read more

V-Symposium Recordings:

GMOScience is offering these 2 days of recordings from April 2023 free of charge, featuring five of the top doctors, scientist, and attorney who are on the front lines, working with people experiencing adverse effects and injury from vaccine exposure and Long Covid. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation of any amount to support our work.

Contact Us

Contact

Related Posts

Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire

Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire

Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire (PEHQ)

August 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org

Assessing the Top Ten Toxic Exposures in Children

The Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire (PEHQ) is a tool for practitioners and parents to aid in assessing children at risk of harm due to environmental toxicants. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, but a screening aid to identify at-risk children and create awareness regarding a prominent and overlooked contributor to chronic health issues.

The questions evaluate the ten most likely sources of childhood environmental toxicants and should be included as part of a complete intake in all children in clinical settings, as well as by parents at home.

It is of primary importance to reduce exposure and the toxic load. Children have increased susceptibility and toxicity from exposures far greater than adults due to their size, childhood behaviors (i.e., exploring their world hand-to-mouth), and lowered detoxification abilities as compared to adults.

read more
Get the Lead Out

Get the Lead Out

Time to Rock and Roll: Get the Lead Out!

June 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org

We are at the fork in the road — do we really want to protect our children or are we at an attitude of platitude?

The Infant Formula Toxic Metal Study Getting Press

Moms Across America, The New MDS, and GMOScience, banded together and did the work of regulatory agencies. We’ve confirmed what officials already knew; infant formula, the only food for many babies, is contaminated and it has been given a pass.

However, this David and Goliath tale has not gone unnoticed and has been picked up by global news agencies, including Dr. Mercola, The Exposé, Children’s Health Defense, and The Townsend Letter. Additionally, the FDA has made recommendations to Congress regarding the Safe Baby Food Act based on our joint meeting regarding our findings in May 2024.

Millions of parents are now becoming aware of the toxic metal contamination in the formulas that they are feeding their most vulnerable and immediate action must occur to rectify this situation.

read more
The Alliance of  Censorship and Propaganda

The Alliance of Censorship and Propaganda

The Alliance of Censorship and Propaganda

June 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org

Censorship and propaganda are intrinsically linked as tools of information control used to shape public perception and influence societal attitudes. Censorship involves the suppression or restriction of access to information, often to prevent dissenting or opposing viewpoints from reaching the public. This creates a controlled information environment where only select narratives are allowed to prevail. Propaganda, on the other hand, actively disseminates specific information, often biased or misleading, to promote a particular political agenda or ideology.

read more