Page 24 - Fall2013

Mice fed tions. The gene insertion process, whether ac- on cooked GM soybeans shows as much as

natural complished via a “gene gun” or through infection seven times the level of a natural soy allergen,
by Agrobacterium, can really mess up the normal trypsin inhibitor, compared to non-GMO soy.
5
Bt-toxin functioning of the plants’ DNA. It can create Monsanto’s Bt corn (Mon 810) produces an al-
showed mutations, deletions, and altered gene expression lergenic protein that is not produced in natural
significant near the point where the gene is inserted and corn—the genetic engineering process switches
elsewhere. Then the transformed cell is cloned on the silent gene. And both GM corn and soy
6
immune into a GM plant using tissue culture, which can produce higher amounts of lignin; the metabolic
responses produce hundreds or thousands of additional mu- pathway that produces lignin also produces a
and became tations throughout the plants’ genome. In total, plant pesticide called rotenone, which is linked
a GM plant’s DNA can be 2-4 percent different to Parkinson’s disease.
sensitive to from that of its natural parent. In addition, up Secondly, the protein produced by the in-
3
other formerly to 5 percent of the natural genes can alter their serted gene may cause harm. The genes inserted
harmless levels of protein expression as a result of a single into GM crops produce new proteins into the
human diet, which may be allergenic, toxic, or
4
insertion.
compounds. These changes can result in new or higher otherwise harmful. The transgenic proteins in
levels of allergens, toxins, carcinogens and GM soy, corn and papaya all have properties of
anti-nutrients. For example, Monsanto’s data known allergens, for example, and may trigger
reactions.
The protein produced in Bt corn, however, is
an insecticide and has scientists and physicians
particularly worried about its effects on humans.
These corn (and Bt cotton) plant varieties are en-
gineered to produce Bt-toxin in every cell, which
kills certain insects by destroying the integrity
of their gut. The biotech companies claim that
Bt-toxin is safe since the natural form of Bt-
toxin—produced from Bacillus thuringiensis
bacteria—has been used by farmers for decades
as a method of natural insect control. But several
studies demonstrate that both humans and mam-
mals react to the natural spray.
Mice fed natural Bt-toxin showed signifi-
cant immune responses and became sensitive to
other formerly harmless compounds. 7,8,9 They
also showed tissue damage in their small intes-
tines. Farm workers and others have also had
10
reactions to natural Bt-toxin, 11-15 and authorities
acknowledge that “People with compromised
immune systems or preexisting allergies may
be particularly susceptible to the effects of Bt.”
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When natural Bt was sprayed in Vancouver
and Washington State to fight gypsy moths,
approximately five hundred people reported al-
lergy or flu-like symptoms, with some requiring
emergency room visits. 17,18
The bacterial gene that produces the Bt-toxin
is inserted into GM crops. The Bt-toxin produced
in GM plants, however, is three to five thousand
times more concentrated than the spray, doesn’t
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