New Analysis of a Rat Feeding Study with a Genetically Modified Maize Reveals Signs of Hepatorenal Toxicity

Abstract

Health risk assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) cultivated for food or feed is under debate throughout the world, and very little data have been published on mid- or long-term toxicological studies with mammals. One of these studies performed under the responsibility of Monsanto Company with a transgenic corn MON863 has been subjected to questions from regulatory reviewers in Europe, where it was finally approved in 2005. This necessitated a new assessment of kidney pathological findings, and the results remained controversial. An Appeal Court action in Germany (Münster) allowed public access in June 2005 to all the crude data from this 90-day rat-feeding study. We independently re-analyzed these data. Appropriate statistics were added, such as a multivariate analysis of the growth curves, and for biochemical parameters comparisons between GMO-treated rats and the controls fed with an equivalent normal diet, and separately with six reference diets with different compositions. We observed that after the consumption of MON863, rats showed slight but dose-related significant variations in growth for both sexes, resulting in 3.3% decrease in weight for males and 3.7% increase for females. Chemistry measurements reveal signs of hepatorenal toxicity, marked also by differential sensitivities in males and females. Triglycerides increased by 24-40% in females (either at week 14, dose 11% or at week 5, dose 33%, respectively); urine phosphorus and sodium excretions diminished in males by 31-35% (week 14, dose 33%) for the most important results significantly linked to the treatment in comparison to seven diets tested. Longer experiments are essential in order to indicate the real nature and extent of the possible pathology; with the present data it cannot be concluded that GM corn MON863 is a safe product.

Biological impact of feeding rats with a genetically modified-based diet

“…Significant changes in creatinine levels have also been reported in rats fed on GM Bt maize (Kiliç and Akay, 2008). Slightly increased levels of creatinine were also reported in rats fed on GM maize (Séralini et al, 2007).…”

Criteria for Safe Use of Plant Ingredients in Diets for Aquacultured Fish

“…Some indications of alterations of the immune system were found by Sagstad et al (2007). Further studies on how metabolic pathways are influenced are under way in order to identify eventually which pathways are altered (M. Sanden 2007, unpublished;Séralini et al 2007). In Atlantic salmon, no major differences in organ sizes, except for distal intestine, are Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety Vitenskapskomiteen for mattrygghet (VKM) 96 07/604 -final reported due to feed containing GM.…”

Genetically engineered (modified) crops (Bacillus thuringiensis crops) and the world controversy on their safety

“…In a study funded by the European Arm of Greenpeace, it was found that there was a possibility of a slight but statistically meaningful risk of liver damage in rats (Seralini et al 2007). However, this possibility of risk was reported to be of no biological significance by the European Food Safety Authority (Seralini et al 2007).…”

“…However, this possibility of risk was reported to be of no biological significance by the European Food Safety Authority (Seralini et al 2007). Anilkumar et al (2010) fed sheep (1 year old) on Bt and non-Bt cottonplants for 3 months and found that the histological examination of liver and kidney revealed no significant changes between Bt and non-Bt plant-fed sheep.…”

“…Twenty-eight people showed allergic reactions related to eating corn products that may have contained the StarLink toxin. However, the US Centers for Disease Control studied the blood of these people and concluded that there was no evidence that the allergic reaction was related to the StarLink toxin (Seralini et al 2007). …”