How Subchronic and Chronic Health Effects can be Neglected for GMOs, Pesticides or Chemicals

Abstract

Chronic health effects are increasing in the world such as cancers, hormonal, reproductive, nervous, or immune diseases, even in young people. During regulatory toxicological subchronic tests to prevent these on mammalian health, prior commercialization of chemicals, including pesticides and drugs, or GMOs, some statistically significant findings may be revealed. This discussion is about the need to investigate the relevant criteria to consider those as biologically significant. The sex differences and the non linear dose or time related effects should be considered in contrast to the claims of a Monsanto-supported expert panel about a GMO, the MON 863 Bt maize, but also for pesticides or drugs, in particular to reveal hormone-dependent diseases and first signs of toxicities.

Do genetically modified crops affect animal reproduction? A review of the ongoing debate

“…It is worth noting that the majority of reports suggest that exogenous DNA fragment or protein may be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and exerts some effects on it and the microbial population structure within bovine rumen fluid. In addition, sex differences and phenomena of non-linear dose-or time-related effects of pesticides or drugs may reveal hormone-dependent diseases and the first signs of toxicity (Sé ralini et al, 2009). In a report of the Soil Association of UK and in several other reviews, it has been shown that GM crops may manifest adverse effects on humans and animals (Azeez and Nunan, 2008;Dona and Arvanitoyannis, 2009;Rickard, 2010).…”

Safety assessment of genetically modified crops for yield increase and resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses and their impact on human and environment

“…For instance, it may lead to a low viability of genetically modified fish offspring in a heritable manner Philips 24 . The potential, toxic effects and health risks of herbicides and GMO products have also been reported in several different experiments de Vendômois et al; 25 Aris and Leblanc; 26 Mesnage et al; 27 Séralini et al 10,[28][29][30] It has been suggested that the debated alimentary chronic risks may come from unpredictable insertional mutagenesis effects, metabolic effects, or from the new pesticide residues de Vendômois et al 25 In a 90-day experiment, GM corn MON863-treated rats caused growth variations and hepatorenal toxicity, hormone disturbance, the intensity of which were dependent on sex, duration, and concentration Séralini et al 10 In a two-year study, GM corn NK603-treated rats caused severe organ damage, particularly liver and kidney, increased the trend of tumours incidence, and reduced lifespan Séralini et al 29 Due to the higher GMO mutagenesis caused by tissue culture micropropagation processes like somaclonal variation and endogenous DNA rearrangements, recombination, and high molecular DNA insertions, the GE plant gene sequences might be unpredictable and unstable Mertens; 31 Maghari & Ardekani…”

Genetically modified crops safety assessments: present limits and possible improvements

“…It is also due to the process of carcinogenesis or hormone-sensitive programming of cells [32]. The liver for instance is a sex differentiated organ as far as its enzymatic equipment is concerned [4]. An effect in subchronic or chronic tests cannot be disregarded on the rationale that it is not linear to the dose (or dose-related) or not comparable in genders.…”

“…Our experience in scientific committees for the assessment of environmental and health risks of GMOs and in biological, biostatistical research, and medicine, as well as in the research relative to side effects [2][3][4][5][6] allowed us to review and criticize mammalian feeding trials with GMOs and make new proposals. Mammalian feeding trials have been usually but not always performed for regulatory purposes in order to obtain authorizations or commercialization for GM plantderived foods or feed.…”