Page "Genetically modified maize" Paragraph 22

A study by de Vendômois et al.

2009, compared an analysis of blood and organ system data from trials with rats fed three main commercialized genetically modified types of maize which are present in food and feed in the world.

Approximately 60 different biochemical parameters were classified per organ and measured in serum and urine after 5 and 14 weeks of feeding.

GM maize-fed rats were compared first to their respective isogenic or parental non-GM equivalent control groups, followed by comparison to six reference groups, which had consumed various other non-GM maize varieties.

According to the authors, " Our analysis clearly reveals for the 3 GMOs new side effects linked with GM maize consumption, which were sex-and often dose-dependent.

Effects were mostly associated with the kidney and liver, the dietary detoxifying organs, although different between the 3 GMOs.

Other effects were also noticed in the heart, adrenal glands, spleen and haematopoietic system.

We conclude that these data highlight signs of hepatorenal toxicity, possibly due to the new pesticides specific to each GM corn.

In addition, unintended direct or indirect metabolic consequences of the genetic modification cannot be excluded.