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Showing posts with label 基因改造. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 基因改造. Show all posts

10.4.12

孟山都危害環境與健康

孟山都危害環境與健康



生技產業龍頭孟山都已經引領基因改造技術已久,大肆將全世界的人們所吃的作物糧食進行基因改造,改變作物和種子的遺傳結構。科學研究已經發現,基因改造作物及除草劑不僅導致許多健康問題,同時也造成環境中出現變種的昆蟲及超級雜草。

下列列出孟山都不停危害人類健康及環境的一些方式:
1.      基因改造作物導致器官受損等生物損害
儘管已經有確切的證據顯示食用基因改造作物可導致器官受損等許多健康問題,孟山都卻持續以解決飢荒及授權農民為幌子向開發中國家推行基因改造作物。 一份涵蓋 19 項研究的綜合分析檢驗了玉米及黃豆等基因改造作物的危險性,科學家對這些作物的安全性提出了令人震驚的結論;他們總結,攝取基因改造玉米及黃豆,實際上可 導致實驗中動物的器官大幅受損。
器官受損以肝臟及腎臟為主,這兩個器官對於清除毒素是關鍵的;美國超過 93% 的黃豆都經過基因改造,而這個數字仍在增加中。這表示大眾的健康仍然持續的受到全球糧食供應的威脅。
2.      基因改造 Bt 作物促使昆蟲突變
利用基因改造技術,孟山都進一步製造出了充滿有毒生化農藥 Bt 的改造作物。植入作物當中以驅除蟲害的 Bt 已經導致能夠抵抗農藥成分的突變昆蟲出現,現在已經有大約 8 種昆蟲群種能夠抵抗 Bt 農藥;其中 2 種特別能夠抵抗 Bt 噴劑,而另外 6 種則能夠抵抗 Bt 作物。
由於對於 Bt 的抵抗性,農民被迫增加農藥的用量。同時,孟山都仍不停發展新的 Bt 改造作物,以克服昆蟲抗藥性的問題。然而,研究已經發現,即使經過進一步改造,Bt 作物對於蟲害的抵抗能力仍然非常有限,甚至無法發揮作用。如果孟山都持續使用這種方式,無疑只會使得農藥使用量增加。
3.      抗農達造成超級雜草叢生
拜孟山都生產的抗農達除草劑所賜,全球已經有超過 1 億 2000 萬公頃的農地受到超級雜草侵襲。全球的農地都正遭受能夠抵抗除草劑的超級雜草的侵襲,而且似乎沒有停止的跡象。這些都是經過孟山都協助及授權的農地。這種 超級雜草發展出能夠抵抗草甘膦 (抗農達中的主要成分) 的能力。2010 年時,專家估計超級雜草已經佔據全球超過 1 億 2000 萬公頃的土地。澳洲、阿根廷、巴西、智利、歐洲及南非等國家皆面臨超級雜草增加的問題。
然而當農民向孟山都尋求協助時,孟山都卻否認他們有任何責任,甚至在網站上表示,抗農達的產品保證並不涵蓋控制具有抗性的超級雜草。
4.      孟山都也製造阿斯巴甜
獨立報在 1999 年進行的一項調查發現,阿斯巴甜實際上是由基因改造細菌所製造的,這篇報導的標題是「全球最普遍使用的甘味劑是由基因改造細菌所製」,而孟山都的發言人也在報導中承認這項事實。阿斯巴甜已經被證實可導致大腦腫瘤等健康問題。

參考資料
http://www.naturalnews.com/034432_Monsanto_public_health_threat.html

8.4.12

基因改造: 孟山都公司的Roundup改變兩棲動物的身體形態


Monsanto’s Roundup Altering the Physical Shape of Amphibians

Mike Barrett
Activist Post

Monsanto’s Roundup, which is the most popular herbicide used today, has been found to ignite morphological changes in amphibians.
The research, conducted using tadpoles, found that environmentally relevant concentrations of Roundup are enough to cause two species of amphibians to actually change shape. This is the first research to show that herbicides can have such an effect on animals.

Setting up outdoor tanks closely resembling the environment of natural wetlands, study researcher Rick Relyea, University of Pittsburgh professor of biological sciences in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and director of Pitt’s Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology, added 3 tadpoles to each tank and exposed them to a range of Roundup concentrations over a 3 week period. The cages also contained large predators, which naturally cause changes in tadpole morphology. These natural changes include a larger tail, due to chemical emissions.

While it wasn’t surprising to see morphological changes take part due to the naturally emitted chemicals from predators, it was rather shocking to find out that Roundup had the same effects — causing the tails of the tadpoles to grow in size.

What’s more, the combination of the naturally emitted chemicals and Roundup caused the tadpoles’ tails to grow twice as large.

4.4.12

新世界秩序: 基因與人類的將來


Genetics and Humanity's Future

Our ability to create an educated, informed, responsible citizenry will determine whether our collective future is bright or a nightmarish dystopia.

Tony Cartalucci, Contributing Writer


Imagine a human cell is like a car -- a piece of machinery serving a particular task. Imagine the cell's genetic instructions like a driver. The machine's potential is determine as much by its engineering and design as it is by its operator. The same could be said about a human cell and the instructions carried within its DNA.

Our genetic code is what makes us who we are -- it determines predispositions that may help or hinder us throughout our lives. And while our ability to reason and invent can help us overcome many of our genetic predispositions, there are many that cannot currently be overcome -- or require costly, inadequate solutions to do so.

One such genetic predisposition is hemophilia - a genetic condition that prevents the blood from properly clotting. Such a condition can allow an otherwise minor injury to become potentially life threatening -- as no matter how long one waits with hemophilia, they continue to bleed. A series of pharmaceutical treatments have been developed to manage the symptoms of hemophilia and preserve the lives of those with the condition, but until now, little progress has been made in addressing the cause -- a fault found within one's genetic code.


Just as changing or training a deficient driver can exponentially improve the performance of a car, tweaking the genetic code can likewise improve the performance of one's cells and in turn one's collective physiology. An example of this being done today comes to us from University College London and St Jude Children's Research Hospital who have been doing revolutionary work toward curing hemophilia.


The method of "training the driver" in this case comes in the form of identifying the part of genetic code responsible for causing hemophilia and replacing it. A virus is used -- replacing its genetic material with a corrected form of human code -- to deliver the correction to targeted cells from the patient. When a cell reproduces, human DNA replicates in a process comparable to copying a document - whatever exists in the corrected DNA code is perpetuated with each and every new copy made during cell division.




Image: One method of gene therapy - taking human cells, "editing" them genetically, and reinserting them into the human body where they will replicate and carry out their newly designed functions. (Microsoft Encarta Online Concise Encyclopedia)

31.3.12

研究:農藥殺蟲 卻害蜜蜂迷路致死

研究:農藥殺蟲 卻害蜜蜂迷路致死

(路透倫敦29日電)科學家發現即使是低劑量的常見農藥,都可能對大黃蜂和蜜蜂造成傷害、影響歸巢能力,害牠們找不到回家的路。
根據今天發表於「科學」(Science)期刊的兩項研究,英、法國團隊專注研究蜂類和新類尼古丁殺蟲劑(neonicotinoid insecticides)。新類尼古丁殺蟲劑在1990年代推出,現為世界最常見的作物用農藥之一。
其中,英國蘇格蘭斯特林大學(Stirling University)研究團隊,讓發展中的大黃蜂蜂群在隔絕區域內自然採集、授粉6週,但是暴露於低劑量的新尼古丁類殺蟲劑之一益達胺(imidacloprid)中,並測量蜂群的成長。
跟沒有暴露於農藥的對照組相比,研究人員發現農藥組蜂群在實驗結束時,平均比對照組小8%至12%,產生的蜂后更少了85%。
由亞維農(Avignon)法國國家農業研究院(INRA)率領的研究,則在蜜蜂背上黏晶片,追蹤牠們出入蜂窩,並分成施用不致死劑量農藥的實驗組及對照組。
研究團隊表示,被施以新尼古丁類殺蟲劑—賽速安(thiamethoxam)的蜜蜂,在蜂窩外死亡率比對照組高出2至3倍,主因農藥干擾蜜蜂返巢系統,有家歸不得。中央社(翻譯)

孟山都公司的Roundup令DNA受損

Monsanto’s Roundup is Causing DNA Damage

Mike Barrett
Activist Post

There is a reason that masks are worn while applying herbicides, and warning signs are erected upon recently sprayed land plots; herbicide exposure is known to cause serious health complications.

New research has recently been released showing that glyphosate, the main active ingredient found in Monsanto’s Roundup Ultra Max, is causing both DNA and cellular damage to cells found in the mouth and throat.

Seeing as the inhalation of herbicides and ingredients like glyphosate is very common, this research alone is enough to raise concern over the safety of such substances which are used on a major scale.

The Institute of Science in Society reports:
…Monsanto’s formulated version of glyphosate called Roundup Ultra Max caused cellular damage and DNA damage including chromosomal abnormalities and ultimately killed the cells at higher concentrations. Importantly, DNA damage occurred at concentrations below those required to induce cell damage, suggesting that the DNA damage was caused directly by glyphosate instead of being an indirect result of cell toxicity.

27.3.12

代糖危害健康: 代糖(Aspartame )是由基因改造廢物制造

Made from Genetically Modified Bacteria Waste, Aspartame Risks Public Health

Andre Evans
Activist Post

Aspartame is one of the most used artificial sweeteners in the food supply today. It also happens to be one of the most dangerous.

Aspartame is used in thousands of products as a substitute to sugar, though consumers would actually be better off eating regular sugar.

Specifically, the toxic substance is often found in diet soft drinks and various candies. You should also be aware that aspartame is even present in a number of lesser-known conventional products as well.

Millions either knowingly or unknowingly consume aspartame on a daily basis. However, if the public was aware of the various dangers aspartame poses to individual health, they would stop — or would they? Aspartame is an addictive substance.

Most people who consume diet sodas regularly soon develop a craving for it. This is because of aspartame’s addictive quality. Soon after consuming the ingredient on a normal basis, many people find themselves unable to kick the habit.

This is concerning due to the fact that aspartame has been linked to a number of diseases, can impair the immune system, and is even known to cause cancer. Aspartame has even been found to create tumors in lab rats. One study showed that of 48 rats experimented on, up to 67 percent of all female rats developed tumors roughly the size of golf balls or larger. This is glaringly in contrast to the perceived nature of what a ‘sugar free alternative’ would entail, which is generally thought to be a ‘healthy’ substitute to sugar.

16.3.12

陰謀論: 美國學者建議改變人類基因以減少對地球的傷害

據英國《每日郵報》3月13日報導,紐約大學哲學教授馬休·廖(Matthew Liao)日前提出挽救地球的兩種“方法”,第一種就是服用藥物讓人類戒掉吃肉的習慣,第二種則是對人類進行基因改造,讓人類變得更小,減少人類活動對地球的破壞。
廖與同事在《倫理、政策以及環境》雜誌上發表論文,提出一系列讓人聽起來不怎麼舒服的拯救地球的方式,包括服用藥物讓人類對肉類產生反感,或改造基因以及用激素療法讓父母生育體型更小、消耗能源更少的孩子。但是廖教授強調,他們並不提倡這些方法,只是供人們討論。

廖說:“我們注意到人體消耗與其體型大小密切相關。每公斤體重需要特定量的食物和營養,體型越大的人需要的食物和能量越多,他們需要更多布料、更大的鞋、毛毯以及家具等。如果美國人身高平均降低15​​厘米,男性體重指數可降低21%,女性則可降低25%,這相當於他們分別減少新陳代謝15%和18%,因為體型越小意味著所需能源和營養越少。”
對於使用藥物幫助人類戒掉食肉習慣的方法,廖說:“聯合國糧農組織報告曾估計,世界溫室氣體排放中18%來自於畜牧業,比運輸業所佔比例更高。近來更有研究發現,畜牧業所佔全球溫室氣體排放量比例已達51%。一旦減少對肉類消費,將會極大地改善環境。我想可能根本不需要藥物,可以通過刺激人體免疫系統讓其拒絕牛蛋白質,讓人對肉類產生厭惡感。”

13.3.12

新發現:進食反式脂肪與侵略行為有聯系 New Finding: Consuming Trans Fats Linked To Aggression

New Finding: Consuming Trans Fats Linked To Aggression

Sayer Ji, Contributing Writer
Activist Post

In the first human study of its kind researchers have linked trans fatty acid consumption to increased aggression. Published in the Public Library of Science’s own journal, PLoS, March 5th 2012, researchers at the Dept. of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, reported:

“Dietary trans fatty acids (dTFA) are primarily synthetic compounds that have been introduced only recently; little is known about their behavioral effects. dTFA inhibit production of omega-3 fatty acids, which experimentally have been shown to reduce aggression. Potential behavioral effects of dTFA merit investigation. We sought to determine whether dTFA are associated with aggression/irritability.”

The study looked at 945 adult men and women who were not on lipid-lowering drugs, and who were without LDL-cholesterol extremes, diabetes, HIV, cancer or heart disease. Outcomes assessed adverse behaviors with impact on others based on both objective (life histories of aggression) and subjective (self-rated impatience and irritabilitly) sources of information. The researchers concluded:

“This study provides the first evidence linking dTFA [dietary trans fatty acids] with behavioral irritability and aggression.”

This novel finding adds to a growing body of existing clinical research indicating that synthetically produced trans fatty acids adversely affect human health, particularly cardiovascular health and cancer risk.


Due to the fact that the human brain (excluding water) is composed mostly of fatty acids, it is understandable how synthetically produced trans fats could adversely affect brain and psychiatric health. In fact, a recent animal study demonstrated that long-term trans fatty acid feeding in animals contributed to the incorporation of these fats in the brain, leading to increased susceptibility of developing movement disorders.

Given that this most recent finding links trans fatty acid consumption to possibly violent behavior towards others, a serious legal and moral question is raised as to whether regulatory agencies like the FDA can continue to allow their production and use without being in some way responsible for the damage that is afflicted upon the general population as a consequence.

This same question can be raised in regard to the 300+ adverse health effects that statin drugs have been linked to, not the least of which is increased violent behavior towards self (suicide and parasuicide) and other, as a consequence of having low cholesterol. In the same way that trans fatty acids may alter the physiology (and therefore function) of the neurological tissue itself, low cholesterol levels reduces the number of serotonin receptors in the brain, which in turn lowers brain serotonin, making it more difficult to suppress aggressive behavior.

source

危險: 科學家警告要小心孟山都含有EPA的基因改造農作物 Scientists Warn EPA Over Monsanto’s GMO Crop Failures, Dangers


Scientists Warn EPA Over Monsanto’s GMO Crop Failures, Dangers

Anthony Gucciardi
Activist Post

A group of scientists is calling for major federal action in order to deal with the threat posed by Monsanto’s GMO crops, now petitioning the EPA to address the issue head on. The group of 22 academic corn experts are drawing attention to the immense failure of Monsanto’s genetically modified corn, which is developing mutated and resistant insects as a result of its widespread usage.

Corn is critical not only as a food staple, but is heavily used in ethanol production, animal feed, and much more. As GM corn becomes the norm, currently taking over 94 percent of the supply, these scientists are seriously concerned about the future of corn production.

Joseph Spencer is one outspoken member of the group, a corn entomologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, part of the University of Illinois. Spencer states that what is happening is no surprise, instead it is something that needs to be addressed. Warning the EPA over the dangers, the experts sent a letter on March 5th to the agency explaining their worries regarding long-term corn production prospects in light of GMO crops failures. Specifically, the experts are worried about the lack of protection presented by GMO crops against rootworms.


The EPA has already acknowledged that Monsanto’s GMO crops are creating resistant rootworms, which are now ravaging the GMO crops as they mutate to the biopesticide used known as Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). The EPA found that the resistant rootworms, which are evolving to resist the insecticide, are currently found Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Nebraska. After the EPA evaluated documented cases of severe crop damage as well as reports from entomologists, the EPA stated “Monsanto’s program for monitoring suspected cases of resistance is ‘inadequate’”.

Essentially, the GMO crops are doing the opposite of their supposed purpose — leading to more damage from rootworms as they become mutated to resist the defense of the crops. And Monsanto has answered by simply further genetically modifying the Bt, which research shows is extremely ineffective.
“When insecticides overlay transgenic technology, the economic and environmental advantages of rootworm-protected corn quickly disappear,” the scientists wrote.
It’s time for the EPA and other agencies to address the serious threats to nature and human health presented by Monsanto’s genetically modified creations.
source

基因改造生物技術產業如此自豪,為什麼他們兜售的食品包裝上並無基因改造標籤?If the biotech industry is so proud of GMOs, why don’t they tout GMOs on food packaging labels?

If the biotech industry is so proud of GMOs, why don’t they tout GMOs on food packaging labels?

Mike Adams

Genetically engineered foods will “feed the world,” say Bill Gates and all the rest of the GMO pushers. GM crops are the result of “high-tech agriculture” and “advanced technology” created by super-smart agricultural geniuses who only enhance the properties of food crops. GMOs are better than God, better than Mother Nature, and one of the great gifts of science to humankind — sort of like electricity, only more edible.

If this is all true, then why doesn’t the GMO industry want credit for all this effort on food labels? Shouldn’t the industry leap at the opportunity to have foods labeled with things like:

• Fortified with extra GMOs!

• Genetically Modified to grow strong bones!

• Now with GMO technology in every delicious bite!

If GMOs are so wonderful, in other words, then why wouldn’t the industry tout all its amazing technology right on the labels of the foods containing GMOs?
The reality? GMOs are poison

But no, instead of the industry begging for regulatory permission to place GMO bragging rights on food labels, the industry has done exactly the opposite: It has demanded that consumers be kept in the dark about GMOs!

• They don’t want consumers to even know they’re eating GMOs!

• They believe consumer ignorance is preferable to consumer choice.

• They want consumers kept in the dark, uninformed and unable to avoid GMOs.

The GMO industry, in fact, is already viciously fighting a proposed GMO labeling mandate in California — a law that would merely require foods to be truthfully labeled when they contain genetically modified ingredients. What could be wrong with that? But in an age when consumers want to know more information about what they’re buying, not less, the GMO industry somehow believes consumer ignorance is victory!

So when GMO pushers like Bill Gates say they want to “feed the world,” what they really mean is they want to secretly force-feed the world mystery ingredients that are not listed on the labels so that consumers won’t even be aware of what they’re eating. (Such as the deadly insecticide found in every kernel of GM corn…)
Commonsense food rule: Beware of anything the food companies don’t want to put on the label

If the ag giants and food companies don’t want to put something on a food label, that’s a pretty strong sign that you probably shouldn’t eat it.

If it was good for you, they would obviously want to brag about it on the label. All natural! Fortified with minerals! Low in sodium!

So how come the industry doesn’t want to claim, “High in GMOs!” on every food box?

Want some flaked corn breakfast cereal? It’s on sale for $1.99 a box, and it’s high in GMOs!

How about some corn tortillas for your Mexican fiesta dinner? Those corn tortillas are fortified with extra GMOs, too!

Thirsty? Grab yourself a 12-pack of that famous brand sports drink — it’s sweetened with genetically modified corn syrup! Plus, it’s got electrolytes!

Or how about a super-sized box of Genetically Modified Corn Flakes for breakfast? You can even eat it with a bowl of pasteurized, homogenized, Bovine Growth Hormone-contaminated, pus-filled factory-processed cow’s milk! Yumm!

But you don’t see any of this marketing material at the grocery store, do you? GMOs remain the dirty little secret of the food industry — even at places like Whole Foods, which sort of try to imply they’re against GMOs, but then they turn around and sell all sorts of GM foods anyway.
GMOs are worse than skeletons in the closet

GMOs are to the food industry what gay public toilet sex is to a pro-family Republican candidate. Or hidden camera photos of the naked choir boys and the Catholic priest. GMOs are the bones buried under the basement slab of a mass murderer who’s also running for Governor. They’re the prostitution ring records that reveal one very busy repeat customer named “Eliot Spitzer.”

GMOs are the leaked Stratfor emails that reveal the U.S. is already on the ground working to destroy Syria’s infrastructure. GMOs are the proof of election fraud in a so-called “free nation.” GMOs are not just Big Ag’s skeletons in the closet; they are the skeletons in a closet full of beaten, gagged children who have been kidnapped by CPS officials and sold into “white slavery” to the local community’s business leaders who run the children’s foundations.

GMOs are the dirty food secret that’s so dirty, virtually no one would buy any food known to contain GMOs. They are worse than the plague. They are anti-food. Labeling foods with GMOs is essentially the same as slapping a large skull and crossbones on the package, and that’s exactly why the death-worshipping, profit-sucking corporate whores who work for the biotech industry are fighting so hard to prevent GMO labels from appearing on foods. “Holy crap! We can’t have consumers knowing the TRUTH, can we?”

Isn’t it fascinating that the GMO industry depends entirely on hiding its products in order to stay in business? What other industry is so steeped in destructive, hateful products that it has to actively seek to HIDE THEM from consumers? Biotech is an industry whose products are sold entirely through trickery and deceit, not honest labeling and full disclosure.
Why we will win this fight for the right to know what we are eating

But make no mistake, my friends, for the People shall be victorious against this insidious brand of agricultural imperialism. As I publicly shared just the other day, I had a vision (or was it a dream?) of a massive army of American farmers and consumers who marched on Monsanto, arrested all its employees and burned its buildings to the ground.

I believe that day may very well come true in the near future, and I can only hope it will be followed by a series of very public trials where the GMO scientists, corporate CEOs and top marketing executives are all charged with crimes against humanity and tried by a jury of their peers. The genetic modification of seeds and the open planting of those seeds in the natural world should, I believe, be a crime against nature met by a most severe punishment such as life in prison for anyone found guilty of those crimes in a Constitutional court that abides by due process. Almost no punishment is too great against these criminals, because those who sow genetically modified seeds upon our natural world risk the death of billions of people in their careless arrogance. Some might even argue that the death sentence would be justifiable in such cases.
“Mystery” food?

Just remember: the next time you go shopping at the grocery store, take a closer look at the label of a food product and ask yourself, “What are they NOT telling me about what’s in this product?”

Because much of the time, you’re actually buying “mystery food” containing all sorts of toxins, poisons or horrifying ingredients that are never listed on the label (by design, of course).

And that’s the way Big Ag and Big Food like it — keep consumers in the dark! The less they know about how processed food is made, where it comes from and what it contains, the better! And the more ignorant consumers can be kept, the more GMOs the biotech industry can shove down their gullible little throats.

source

5.3.12

基因改造生物和生物風險 Genetically modified organisms and biological risks

by Dr. Irina Ermakova
Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology RAS, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: I_Ermakova@mail.ru

Widespread distribution of genetically modified organisms (GMO) causes great biological risks for human and the Environment. Three kind of biological risks are described usually: ecological, nutrition and agrotechnical. The term genetically modified organisms (GMOs) refers to plants, microbes and animals with genes transferred from other species in order to produce certain novel characteristics (for example resistance to pests, or herbicides). Neither methods are perfect and do not guarantee that the rest of the plant genome remains unchanged. The hazard of genetically modified organisms (GMO) was shown for human, animals and the Environment in many scientific investigations. Four main sources of the hazards of GMO are accepted by scientists worldwide: 1) those due to the new genes, and gene products introduced; 2) unintended effects inherent to the technology; 3) interactions between foreign genes and host genes; and 4) those arising from the spread of the introduced genes by ordinary cross-pollination as well as by horizontal gene transfer (World Scientists' Statement, 2000). Natural infectious agents exist which can transfer genes horizontally between individuals. There are viruses and other pieces of parasitic genetic material, called plasmids and transposons, which are able to get into cells and then make use of the cell's resources to multiply many copies of themselves or to jump into (as well as out of) the cell's genome (World Scientists' Statement 2000).

Experimental researches showed the negative effect of GMO on insects. Larvae of the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, reared on milkweed leaves dusted with pollen from Bt corn, ate less, grew more slowly and suffered higher mortality than larvae reared on leaves dusted with untransformed corn pollen or on leaves without pollen (Losey, 1999). In an other investigation it was shown that Bt corn could have adverse sublethal effects on black swallowtails in the field. Reduction of life expectancy of ladybirds, fed by pest aphid, planted in GM-potatoes, was found also.

The genetically modified (or transgenic) plants could be used by mammals for their nutrition in the fields of GM-crops. It was shown that consumption of GM-food by animals led to the negative changes in their organs. Experiments, conducted by A. Pusztai (1998), found that potatoes modified by the insertion of snowdrop genes that code for insecticidal proteins stunted the growth of rats and damaged their immune system. Feeding rats with baked transgenic potatoes significantly affected some of their vital organs including the kidneys, thymus, gastrocnemius muscle and others. Negative effect of GM-potatoes, GM-pears, GM-soya on mammals was shown in many other investigations.

For understanding of the GMO dangerous it is better to know the methods that usually used to introduce a new DNA (gene) into the cell of a plant that is going to be modified. There are two standard methods: the “shot-gun” technique and agrobacterium tumefaciens method. Both methods are not perfect and don’t guarantee safety for the Environment those GM-organisms, which were created with their help. Experimental researches in mice showed that ingested foreign DNA survived in the gastrointestinal tract and entered the blood stream of mice. Important data were obtained in pregnant mice that were fed regularly during pregnancy with a daily dose of plasmids containing the gene for the green fluorescent protein (pEGFP-C1) or bacteriofaphage M13 DNA. Foreign DNA, orally ingested by pregnant mice, was discovered in white blood cells, spleen, liver cells of foetuses and newborn animals. Authors concluded, that maternally ingested foreign DNA could be potential mutagen for the developing fetus (Schubbert et al., 1998).

Our own experiments showed the dangerous of Ready Roundup soya-bean (line 40.3.2), modified by the transgene CP4 EPSPS, for rats and their offspring. Female rats were divided into groups, housed and kept under normal laboratory conditions (3 rats/cage).

Experiments with rat females were repeated three times in four groups: “GM-soya” group, “Trad-soya” group, “Protein-isolate GM-soya” group and “Control” group. One group of female rats of 180-200g weights was allocated to the experimental group, and received 5-7g soy flour prepared by the grinding the raw whole Roundup-Ready soybean seeds. In two other groups females the diet was supplemented with the same amount of soya flour, prepared from protein isolate GM-soya (RR, line 40.3.2) or from traditional soya Arcon SJ 91-330. Soy flour was mixed with water and added to the rat chow for two weeks before mating, during mating, pregnancy and lactation. In a positive control group females have only got the standard laboratory chow, without any supplementation. After two weeks on the diets all females were mated with healthy males of the same age, who have never been exposed to soya flour supplements. Lab chow and water was available ad libitum during the experimental period, for all animals. 30 females and 221 pups were investigated during three series of similar experiments.

Supplementation of the diet of the females with GM soy led to the high mortality of rat pups (51.6%) in comparison with the pups from “Trad-soya” group (10%), “Protein-isolate GM soy” group (15.1%) and “Control” group (8.1%) (Tabl). High pup mortality was characteristic of every litter from mothers fed the GM soy flour. Pups from “GM-soy” group have higher mortality and third of them were sick and weighed several times less, than pups from the control groups. No lethality of females and survived young pups eating the GM-soya flour supplemented diet was observed. The level of mortality was analyzed by the one-way ANOVA, using of Newman-Keuls test for share distribution.

The anxiety (model “light and dark”) and aggression were analysed in females and their offspring. The behaviour of females and young rat pups of GM-group was compared with those of control groups. Obtained data showed a high level of anxiety and aggression in rats from GM-soy group: females and rat pups attacked and bit each other and the worker, who took care about them.

Our data allow us to speculate and presume that the negative effect of GM-soy on the newborn pups could be mediated by three possible factors. Firstly, it can be the result of transformation, and insertion of the foreign genes, which could penetrate into the sexual/stem cells, or/and into cells of the fetus, as it was observed by Schubbert and colleagues (1998). In their experiments the plasmid containing the green fluorescent protein (pEGFP-C1) gene, or the bacteriofaphage M13 DNA was fed to pregnant mice. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) method, foreign DNA, orally ingested by pregnant mice, was discovered in various organs of fetuses and of newborn animals. GM-soy is one of the plants, created by the help of bacterial DNA plasmids (Agrobacter tumefaciensis method). So, we can presume that able for replication plazmids are kept in the cells of GM-plants (in our case in GM-soya). The affecting of sexual cells and reproductive organs of rats by plasmids with foreign DNA from GM soy could be occurred.

Secondly, the negative effect of GM-soya could be connected with the highly mutagenic nature of the GM transformation process. Also, the instability of gene constructs was described for GM-soya (Windels et al., 2001).

Thirdly, the adverse effect of GM-soya could be mediated by the accumulation of Roundup residues in GM-soya. However, no mortality was observed with female rats, nor with the young pups survived, although they also began to eat the GM-soya, it was supposed that the effect could be mediated by two first factors. Confirmation of this assumption could be also the fact of weak negative effect of protein-isolate GM-soya.

In order to understand the mechanism of GM soy influence on the reproductive performance of mammals and their offspring, it would be necessary to perform complex researches, including histological, genetical, and embryo-toxicological investigations. We had to restrict our experiments only for a short time-span.

At the present time one of the main global goals is the protection of the Environment from the uncontrolled distribution and the contamination of imperfect genetically modified organisms, which can cause the human diseases, the decrease of biovariety, and the destruction of nature.

Table. Mortality of rat pups in three weeks after birth

Groups Delivered females/total females Number of newborn pups Number of died pups Dead pups/total born (%)
Control 7/9 74 6

p<0.001*
8,1%
GM-soya 6/9 64
 

33

 
51,6%
Protein-isolate GM soya 4/6 33 5

p<0.01*
15%
Traditional soya 5/6 50 5

p<0.001*
10%
*- in comparison with GM-soy group

References
Pusztai A., 1998. Report of Project Coordinator on data produced at the Rowett Research Institute. SOAEFD flexible Fund Project RO 818. 22 October
Schubbert R., Hohlweg U., Renz D. and Doerfler W., 1998. On the fate of orally ingested foreign DNA in mice: chromosomal association and placental transmission in the fetus. Molecules, Genes and Genetics, 259, 569-576
Windels P., Taverniers I., Depicker A., Van Bockstaele E., De Loose M., 2001. Characterisation of the Roundup Ready soybean insert. Eur. Food Res. Technol., 231, 107–112.
World Scientists Statement, 2000. Supplementary Information of the Hazards of Genetic Engineering Biotechnology. Third World Network

source 

20.2.12

新研究顯示:基因改造食品比我們想像的更壞

New Research: GMO Food Far Worse Than We Think

Sayer Ji, Contributing Writer
Activist Post


Disturbing new research published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology indicates that genetically modified (GM) crops with "stacked traits"  -- that is, with multiple traits such as glyphosate-herbicide resistance and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal toxins engineered together into the same plant, are likely far more dangerous to human health than previously believed, due to their synergistic toxicity.

Resistance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, has been engineered into many GM plants, so that fields can be sprayed indiscriminately with herbicide without destroying the crops. While the GM glyphosate-resistant plants survive, they subsequently contain residues of glyphosate and its various metabolites (e.g. aminomethylphosphonic acid) that present a significant health threat to the public.

In this latest study the glyphosate-containing herbicide Roundup was tested on human embryonic kidney cells at concentrations between 1 to 20,000 parts per million (ppm). It was found that concentrations as low as 50 ppm per million, which the authors noted were "far below agricultural dilutions," induced cell death, with the 50% of the cells dying at 57.5 ppm.

The researchers also found that the insecticidal toxin produced by GM plants known as Cry1Ab was capable of causing cell death at 100 ppm concentrations.

Taken together the authors concluded:
In these results, we argue that modified Bt toxins are not inert on nontarget human cells, and that they can present combined side-effects with other residues of pesticides specific to GM plants.
These disturbing findings follow on the heels of recent revelations that Roundup is several orders of magnitude more toxic than previously believed. Only 5 days ago (Feb. 14) the journal Archives of Toxicology reported that Roundup is toxic to human DNA even when diluted to concentrations 450-fold lower than used in agricultural applications. 

This effect is likely due to the presence of the surfactant polyoxyethyleneamine within the Roundup formulation which may dramatically enhance the absorption of glyphosate into exposed human cells and tissue.

For additional research on two dozen adverse health effects reported in the biomedical literature on Roundup, go here.  Also, for research on the ubiquitous nature of glyphosate exposure, read our article on the subject here.

6.2.12

孟山都公司咖啡店無出售賣基因改造食品


The fight to ban genetically modified foods has won more converts — some employees of Monsanto the company that is doing the most to promote GM products.
The Independent newspaper reports that there is a notice in the cafeteria of the Monsanto pharmaceutical factory is High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, advising customers “as far as practicable, GM soya and maize (has been removed) from all food products served in our restaurant. We have taken the steps to ensure that you, the customer, can feel confident in the food we serve.”
The notice was posted by the Sutcliffe Catering Group.
Monsanto confirms the authenticity of the notice, but company spokesman Tony Coombes says the only reason for the GM-free foods is because the company “believes in choice.” Coombes says in other Monsanto locations employees are happy to eat GM foods because they are “sprayed with fewer chemicals.”
Adrian Bebb with Friends of the Earth says the notice in the Buckinghamshire plant is hard to misinterpret. “The public has made its concerns about GM ingredients very clear – now it appears that even Monsanto’s own catering firm has no confidence in this new technology.”

3.2.12

(有片)代糖(Aspartame)是用基因改造細菌的廢物製造

27.1.12

南極現「褪色」企鵝



博物學家斯蒂芬斯David Stephens) 最近在南極拍到一隻罕見的「白色」頦帶企鵝(Chinstrap Penguins)。牠與普通黑背白身的企鵝不同,其背部的黑色變成淺黃色,專家指由於該企鵝出現「基因色素紊亂」(isabellinism),以致深 色的羽毛變淺。在海洋裏,企鵝的黑背可成為一種偽裝,有助躲避天敵,免遭從牠們上方游過的獵物發現。
url

22.1.12

陰謀論-農民用基因改造粟米餵豬:所有豬都變成不育

Farmer feeds GMO corn to his pigs: they all become sterile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eilDbdLAyFs

被斷定已絕種猴子重現世上

一種幾年前被斷定已絕種的猴子,最近被科學家無意中發現,原來他們尚未絕種。
科學家去年6月,在印尼婆羅洲東面一個森林內裝設兩部攝影機,原先希望拍攝野生動物,但在兩星期後拍攝到這種黑色面孔的猴子。
科學家指,猴子原本居住在婆羅洲東北部蘇門答臘、爪哇以及馬來半島一帶,及後由於大火及人類破壞等因素,居住的森林被毀,因而斷定絕種。
猴子今次出現的地方不屬於原本居住之處,科學家將研究牠們遷居原因。
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/被斷定已絕種猴子重現世上-064400319.html

13.1.12

火山口新種蝦 450℃煮不死

【明報專訊】英國科學家在加勒比海發現新品種無眼海蝦(圖),牠們能活於被稱為「黑煙囪」的火山口群附近溫度逾450℃的海水。據潛艇相機拍下的影 像顯示,這種海蝦雖無正常眼睛,但背部有感光器官,或靠此辨識火山口附近的微光來移動,並會以每平方米約2000隻的方式密集群居。
是次考 察隊於2010年用深海機械潛水艇探測開曼群島(Cayman Islands)南邊海牀的開曼海溝(Cayman Trough),發現多種新物種能存活於海底火山口附近帶有豐富礦物質的高溫水流。除無眼海蝦外,還有一種有白色觸手的海葵、外形像蛇的魚、未知品種的蝸 牛和一種像跳蚤的甲殼類動物。是次研究旨在探測海底火山口附近生物,以分析動物如何在深海傳播和進化。
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E7%81%AB%E5%B1%B1%E5%8F%A3%E6%96%B0%E7%A8%AE%E8%9D%A6-450-%E7%85%AE%E4%B8%8D%E6%AD%BB-214516224.html

7.1.12

荷爾蒙激活超級兵蟻基因

【明報專訊】科學家發現,叫人害怕的「超級兵蟻」(supersoldier)之所以擁有碩大頭顱與顎,是因為體內存有源自千萬年前祖先的一些古老基因所致,有關基因其實仍存在於一些普通螞蟻之中,只要將之「激活」,普通螞蟻也能變成超級兵蟻。
超級兵蟻可見於野外,但甚為罕見。在美國、墨西哥的沙漠,牠們負責捍衛蟻巢。牠們會用其碩大頭顱堵塞蟻巢出入口,攻擊其他進犯的螞蟻。《自然》雜誌昨刊登研究報告,表示科學家如今可以給普通的螞蟻幼蟲注入一些特殊荷爾蒙激素,使之發育成超級兵蟻,而非尋常的兵蟻或工蟻。
他們採用一種普通的螞蟻品種做實驗,其體內存有可供轉化為超級兵蟻的所有基因工具,只要有激素相助,就能將相關的基因「激活」。
報告撰述人、加拿大麥吉爾大學的拉賈庫馬爾(Rajendhran Rajakumar)道:「我們發現了此一祖傳發展潛力,令孕育出超級兵蟻。牠們擁有整個蟻屬於3500至6000萬年演變以來所一直保留的螞蟻基因。」
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/荷爾蒙激活超級兵蟻基因-212458526.html

港專家﹕嵌合人類基因極難

【明報專訊】嵌合體的英文名稱Chimera,是源自希臘神話中一種獅頭、羊身、蛇尾的吐火女怪喀邁拉。它是動物學的一種特殊現象,一般是指動物的 兩顆受精卵融合在一起,成為一個個體並成長。儘管罕見,但天生非人為的嵌合現象有在人類出現,嵌合人甚至可以由一雌一雄的兩顆受精卵組成,因而同時會有兩 套性器官。本世紀初,美國婦人Lydia Fairchild便被證實是一位人類嵌合體,她頭髮和皮膚的DNA,和她子宮組織的DNA完全不同。另外,特納氏綜合徵(Turner's Syndrome)及一些唐氏綜合症患者都是天生的嵌合基因人類。
先天嵌合可釀雌雄同體
香港中文大學生物醫學學院李嘉豪教授 認為,今次美國科學家成功培育出基因嵌合猴子,對科學界意義重大。科學家培育嵌合基因老鼠,並不是新鮮事,但培育體積龐大、生長環境廣闊和具複雜基因組合 的基因嵌合靈長類動物是新突破,而且猴子和人類行為相差不遠。雖然有關技術有可能應用於複製人類之上,但他強調,複製人技術需求其實不大,而且科學家已可 以利用複製綿羊多利(Dolly)的技術,製造複製人類,只是無法打破複製動物早死多病的障礙;另外,複製生物往往要棄掉大量生物胚胎,並不合符道德標 準。
指技術可用於複製人
香港大學基因研究中心經理陳思華博士說,其實這次研究達不到美國科學家的原定研究方向。她解釋,在培 育嵌合基因老鼠上,科學家一般都是使用較易處理的囊胚(已進行過數十次細胞分裂),今次研究員最初也曾嘗試使用囊胚來進行嵌合,但不成功,最後只能使用最 早期的「4細胞」胚胎,才能成功培育出嵌合基因猴子,方法較複雜。他表示,這代表要人工嵌合靈長動物基因,是非常困難;這次研究亦顯示,成功複製健康人類 所需面對的難題更大。
明報記者
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/港專家-嵌合人類基因極難-212525031.html