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[SANET-MG] GM spya fed rats
ISIS Press Release 28/11/06
GM Soya Fed Rats: Stunted, Dead, or Sterile
Dr. Mae-Wan Ho reviews the latest findings on the hazards of GM food and
feed amid a continuing campaign of denial and misrepresentation by our
regulators
Alarming findings dismissed by regulators
Female rats fed genetically modified (GM) soya produced excessive
numbers of severely stunted pups with over half of the litter dying
within three weeks, and the surviving pups are sterile.
These alarming findings came from the laboratory of senior scientist Dr.
Irina Ermakova at the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and
Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. The
experiments began two years ago, and the initial findings hit the world
press when Ermakova was invited to speak at the 11 th Russian
Gastroenterological Week in Moscow in October 2005.
Preliminary results have been published in a Russian journal [1], in
conference proceedings and official reports [2-7], and a fuller paper
containing further results is in press [8]. Ermakova has also spoken at
numerous public meetings and scientific conferences and in the popular
media, both at home and abroad, but regulators have continued to ignore
and dismiss her findings.
UK's Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) has been
systematically biased in favour of studies that fail to show significant
effects of GM food and feed right from the beginning. Not surprisingly,
it continued to cite research that's seriously flawed as evidence
against Ermakova's findings [9], and Ermakova has lodged her own protest
[10].
One particular study cited by the ACNFP to bolster its GM bias [11] used
a batch of GM soya harvested in a middle of a certain field in South
Dakota, processed by a commercial company, and fed to mice of
indeterminate age and body weight. These factors alone would make the
experiments invalid and totally unreplicable. Furthermore, the
remarkable similarities in the composition of the GM and non GM diet -
both supposed to contain 21.35 percent soya meal – is simply beyond
belief. There were no standard deviations to the figures provided; 59
out of 78 of the figures were identical to 2 - 3 significant figures,
and the rest differed so slightly that they would have been within
standard errors. Could it be that the researchers have been feeding both
groups the same diet? There is no evidence that the two diets were
different, no DNA tests on the food samples were performed to ascertain
that one was GM and the other non-GM.
This contrasts with the investigations carried out by Ermakova, who has
been updating her results on her website (
http://irina-ermakova.by.ru/eng/ [12], and urging other scientists to
repeat the experiments; all the more important now, as since publishing
the initial results, her funding has been cut, and she is strongly
discouraged from pursuing this line of research. Suppression and
victimisation of honest, independent scientists has now become routine
while obfuscation and misrepresentation are perpetrated at the highest
levels, most recently by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who once again,
blames the controversy over GM foods, along with MMR vaccine, stem-cells
and BSE (!) on the “anti-science brigade” that “threatens our progress
and our prosperity” [13]. Is Blair implying that BSE is not a hazard to
human health? Ten years ago, the then UK government was forced to admit
BSE was linked to the variant Creuzfeld Jacob Disease in humans, after
having repeatedly proclaimed BSE-infected beef was safe for human
consumption for 10 years previously [14] ( The Inside Story of BSE , SiS
32).
Excess stunting and deaths
In the first set of Ermakova's experiments, female Wistar rats weighing
180-200 g were fed their normal dry pellet diet alone, or pellet diet
supplemented with genetically modified (GM) soybeans or non-GM soybeans
beginning two weeks prior to mating and continuing afterwards through
pregnancy and lactation. The female rats were housed three to a cage
before delivery, and received 20 g soybeans ground up with 40 ml water
each day (5-7 g soya beans per rat per day). Just before delivery, the
pregnant rats were individually caged and given 5-7 g soy meal per day
plus 1 g extra per pup delivered. When the pups were weaned, the ration
of soy meal was increased to 2-3 g for every pup. All rats had free
access to the soy meal as well as the pellet food.
There were three feeding groups: the ‘Control 1' given pellet food only,
the ‘Control 2' given non-GM soya in addition to pellet food, and the
‘Experimental 1' group given GM soya in addition to pellet food. The GM
soya was Monsanto's Roundup Ready (RR) 40.3.2 purchased from the
Netherlands , the non-GM soya was Arcon SJ91-330 ADM from the
Netherlands, a commercially available variety that was closest to the
parental line of RR soya, to which Ermakova had no access.
The RR soya was analysed by PCR and confirmed to be 100 percent GM,
while the non-GM soya was contaminated with traces of GM soya (0.08 +
0.04 percent)
The results were startling (see Table 1).
Table 1. Excess stunting and mortality in the progeny of rats fed GM soya
Groups
Weeks Pregnant females
Out of Total Pups Pups dead
at three weeks Pups stunted
at two weeks
Control 1
(Rat chow only)
4/6 44 3(6.8%) 6.0%
Control 2
(Rat chow + Non GM soya)
3/3 33 3(9.19%) 6.7%
Exptl 1
(Rat chow + GM soya)
4/6 45 25(55.6%) 36.0%
Thirty-six percent of the pups from rats fed GM soya were severely
stunted, some 5 to 6 times the percentage in the controls. By three
weeks, 55.6 percent of the pups from rats fed GM soya had died, the
death rate was 6 to 8 times the controls. These results were
statistically highly significant (p<0.00012).
Further experiments confirmed the results
Further experiments were done, and the results were similar. By then,
Ermakova has included a second experimental group of female rats that
were fed protein extract from the GM soya (from ADM in the Netherlands).
The pooled results are given in Table 2.
Table 2. Pooled results including further experiments
Groups
Weeks Pregnant females
Out of Total Pups Pups dead
at three weeks
Control 1
(Rat chow only)
7/9 74 6(8.1%)
Control 2
(Rat chow + Non GM soya)
5/6 50 35(10.0%)
Exptl 1
(Rat chow + GM soya)
4/9 64 38(51.6%)
Exptl 1
(Rat chow + GM soya protein) 4/6 33 5(15.1%)
Once again, the mortality rate at three weeks was more than 50 percent,
5 to 6 times the control values. The GM soya fed group differed
significantly from either controls at p< 0.001. Interestingly, mortality
rate in the pups of rats fed GM soya protein was 15.1 percent, 1.5 to 2
times the controls, though the difference was not statistically
significant. The reduction in mortality rate in the group fed GM soya
protein compared with the group fed whole GM soya meal was statistically
significant at p < 0.01, suggesting that the GM soy proteins are
probably not responsible for most of the deaths. But as there are no
data on the purity of the protein extract, it is difficult to draw
definite conclusions.
The excessive stunting and deaths from GM soya is clear, even though the
cause(s) remain unknown without extensive further investigations. One
possibility is poisoning from glyphosate herbicides and residues used
with RR soya. Glyphosate - and more so in the Roundup formulation - is
extremely lethal to many frog species [15] ( Roundup Kills Frogs , SiS
26), and is linked to late spontaneous abortions in humans, and toxic to
human placental cells at one-tenth the recommended agricultural dosage
[16] ( Glyphosate Toxic & Roundup Worse , SiS 26) and/or other causes
general to the genetic modification process [17] (see most recent
review, Genetically Modified Food Animals Coming ). These include
toxicities and immunogenic reactions from the transgenes; unknown toxins
and RNA transcripts from unintended genetic and epigenetic changes in
the RR soya subsequent to the insertion of foreign DNA, and/or
continuing transgenic instability [18, 19] ( Transgenic Lines Proven
Unstable , SiS 20; Unstable Transgenic Lines Illegal , SiS 21); and
unintended horizontal transfer of transgenic DNA from RR soya into the
rat germ cells that give rise to the progeny, resulting in lethal and
other harmful mutations [20, 21] ( Sense & Nonsense in Horizontal Gene
Transfer , SiS 16, and many other articles on horizontal gene transfer
on ISIS website).
The effects on the progeny of female rats fed GM soya were not limited
to the first generation. It persisted into the next.
Surviving pups sterile
When the first generation (F1) pups from the feeding experiments were
old enough to breed, they were mated with the intention of producing the
next generation. But to Ermakova's surprise, the GM-fed F1 rats were
completely sterile when mated with one another, whether they continued
to be fed on GM soya or not. When the GM-fed F1 females were mated with
non-GM fed males, fertility was restored, but the average size of the
litter was about 75 percent of control mating in which neither males nor
females were GM-fed (see Table 3).
Table 3. Sterility in surviving F1 rats
Groups
Weeks Feeding regime Pups
F1 x F1
GM soya supplement 0
F1 X F1
No GM soya supplement 0
F1 females x
Control males No GM soya supplement 72 (~75% control)
The cause of sterility in the GM-fed F1 rats is unclear. The fact that
mating with non-GM fed F1 males restored 75 percent fertility to GM-fed
F1 females indicates that the GM-associated sterility is largely, if not
exclusively, in the F1 males. Could it be a failure of spermatogenesis?
This could be ascertained by direct examination of the animals, and in
such a case, mating between GM-fed F1 males and control females would
give no progeny. The failure of spermatogenesis in GM-fed F1 males could
be the result of a physiological maternal effect, or a direct genetic
mutation in the maternal germ cells that affects their male offspring only.
Another possibility is a genetic mutation that renders both GM-fed F1
males and females partially sterile. In that case, mating between GM-fed
F1 males and control females would also be fertile.
Finally, the genetic mutation could be the result of a ‘directed
mutation' [22] ( To Mutate or Not to Mutate , SiS 24) that occurs in a
high proportion, if not all of the maternal germ cells under certain
environmental conditions, or else a non-random insertion of transgenic
RR soya DNA into the maternal germ cells [23] ( Living with the Fluid
Genome ). The latter can be confirmed by probing the GM-fed F1 rat
genomes for RR soya transgenic DNA.
A case of criminal negligence on the part of the regulators
Ermakova's findings need to be fully investigated as a matter of
urgency. They must be seen against the backdrop of numerous scientific
and anecdotal reports of illnesses and deaths in humans and many species
of animals resulting from exposure to a variety of GM food, feed and
other products, GM pollen, plant dust and debris (24-29] ( Cows Ate GM
Maize & Died , Animals Avoid GM Food, for Good Reasons , SiS 21; GM Ban
Long Overdue , Transgenic Pea that Made Mice Ill , SiS 29; More
Illnesses Linked to Bt Crops , Mass Deaths in Sheep Grazing on Bt Cotton
, SiS 30). (For more details, please read Making the World GM Free and
Sustainable [30]). Weston A Price Foundation Keynote Lecture November
11, 2006, Westfields Marriott Hotel, Virginia, USA)
Evidence of GM hazards has been emerging since the 1980s, which should
have halted the development of many GM crops. By now, our regulators
should be answering a charge of criminal negligence at the very least in
continuing with their campaign of denial and misrepresentation, while
failing to impose a ban on further releases of all GM crops until and
unless they have been proven safe by thorough independent investigations.
References
Ermakova IV. Genetically modified soy leads to the decrease of weight
and high mortality of rat pups of the first generation. Preliminary
studies. EcosInform 2006, 1, 4-9 (in Russian).
Ermakova IV and Barskov IV. Influence of diet with the soy modified by
the gene CP4 EPSPS on physiological state of rats and their offspring.
Agrarian Russia 2006, in press
Ermakova I.V. Genetically modified organisms and biological risks.
Proceedings of International Disaster Reduction Conference , Davos,
Switzerland, August 27-September 1, 2006, pp.168-171.
Ermakova IV. Influence of genetically modified soya on the birth-weight
and survival of rat pups// Proceedings Epigenetics, Transgenic Plants
and Risk Assessment", 2006, pp.41-48.
Ermakova IV. The effect of GM-soya on rats and their posterity. The
first International Forum on Patient Safety . January 23-24, 2006. p.30.
Ermakova IV. Diet with the food, modified by gene EPSPS CP4, leads to
the anxiety and aggression in rats. 14th European Congress of Psychiatry
. Nice, France, March 4-8, 2006.
Ermakova IV. Mine-field of genetics, State Management of Resources 2006,
N2, pp.44-52 (in Russian).
Ermakova IV. Genetics and ecology. In: Actual problems of science .
Moscow, 2005, pp.53-59 (in Russian).
John B. GM-Free Cymru, Letters to Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and
Processes (ACNFP), 21 January 2006, 23 January 2006, 1 February 2006, 2
February 2006, 12 August 2006.
Ermakova IV. Reply to ACNFP, 28 September 2006, Irina Ermakova's Home
Page, 2003-2006, http://irina-ermakova.by.ru/eng/
Brake DG and Evenson DP. A generational study of glyphosate-tolerant
soybeans on mouse fetal, postnatal, pubertal and adult testicular
development. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2004, 42, 29-36.
Ecology and our life. Irina Ermakova's Home Page, 2003-2006,
http://irina-ermakova.by.ru/eng/
Adding to the debate, Prime Minister Tony Blair's speech, Our Nation's
Future series, November 3, http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page10339.asp
Saunders PT. Inside story of BSE. Science in Society 32 (in press).
Ho MW. Roundup kills frogs. Science in Society 26 , 13, 2005.
Ho MW and Cummins J.Glyphosate toxic & Roundup worse. Science in Society
26 , 12, 3005.
Cummins J and Ho MW. Genetically modified food animals coming.
Submission to UN Codex Alimentarius Consultation, October 2006.
Ho MW. Transgenic lines proven unstable. Science in Society 20 , 2003.
Ho MW. Unstable transgenic lines illegal. Science in Society 21 , 2004.
Ho MW, Traavik T, Olsvik R, Tappeser B, Howard V, von Weizsacker C and
McGavin G. Gene technology and gene ecology of infectious diseases.
Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 1998, 10, 33-59.
Ho MW. Averting sense for nonsense in horizontal gene transfer. Science
in Society 16 , 29-30, 2002.
Ho MW. To mutate or not to mutate. Science in Society 24 , 9-10, 2004.
Ho MW. Living with the Fluid Genome, ISIS and TWN, London & Penang,
2003. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/onlinestore/books.php#238
Ho MW and Burcher S. Cows ate GM maize and died. Science in Society 21 ,
4-6, 2004.
Novotny E. Animals avoid GM food, for good reasons. Science in Society
21 , 9-11, 2004.
Ho MW. GM ban long overdue. Dozens ill & five deaths in the Philippines.
Science in Society 29 , 26-27, 2006.
Ho MW. Transgenic pea that made mice ill. Science in Society 29 , 28-29,
2006.
Ho MW. More illnesses linked to Bt crops. Science in Society 30 , 8-10,
2006.
Ho MW. Mass death in sheep grazing on Bt crops. Science in Society 30 ,
12-13, 2006.
Ho MW. Making the world GM-free and sustainable . Weston A Price
Foundation Wise Traditions Conference Keynote Lecture, November 11,
2006, Westfields Marriott Hotel, Virginia, USA.
R
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