Biotech Updates

Global Research Consortium Presents Findings on Safety of Genetically Modified Food

January 27, 2012

GMSA FOOD (GM Post Market Monitoring) Consortium, a European Commission funded team from Austria, Ireland, Norway, Hungary, Turkey and Australia has conducted a study on the health effects of GM maize on pigs. The team conducted short-term (31 days), medium-term (110 days) and generational pig feeding studies where the health of piglets of sows fed with Bt maize is measured. Results show that feeding Bt maize to pigs of different ages is safe.

"These findings can offer some assurance to consumers as to the safety of consuming Bt-maize," Peadar Lawlor, senior researcher at Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Ireland, said. "The pig is considered to be an excellent model for humans due to similarities in gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology. Similar responses to Bt-maize consumption could be expected in humans," he said.

The original news can be viewed at http://www.teagasc.ie/news/2012/201201-24a.asp