USA - Two University Researchers Publish Article Stating GM Crops May Be Safer Than Organic Ones

In a short "Facts & Fears" article, the American Council on Science and Health suggests that Bt corn and other GM crops could be safer than organic ones.

Authors L. Andrew Staehelin (University of Colorado) and David A. Christopher (University of Hawaii) state that organic foods are often presented to consumers as representing the ultimate standard in food safety and healthfulness, an image which is used to justify premium prices.

They also suggest that the organics industry campaigns against GM crops on the basis that they are unnatural creations of technology which are bad for health and the environment.

Citing a number of studies published in peer-reviewed journals, Staehelin and Christopher say such claims have little merit and that in many ways, GM crops are safer than organic ones.

For instance, Bt corn resists insect infestation and contains, on average, far lower levels of carcinogenic mycotoxins than non-GM varieties grown by organic farmers.

Fusarium molds produce mycotoxins which have been shown to cause a variety of cancers (brain, liver, kidney) and other disorders including spina bifida birth defects in humans and liver toxicity in mice and humans.

Recent research has found high levels of fumonisin-type mycotoxins (produced by Fusarium) in organic corn products.

Unfortunately, most food processing treatments do not reduce the toxic effect, with Fusarium-derived mycotoxins being found in products as diverse as corn flakes and beer.

Fusarium molds primarily enter plants through holes and tunnels produced by corn borers.

Higher corn borer infection rates lead to greater potential for fungal infections.

Because Bt corn is equipped to fight corn borers directly, corn borers that attack Bt-plants are quickly killed and do not replicate and bore significant holes, which means fewer Fusarium infections and lower mycotoxin production.

According to Staehelin and Christopher, the advantage of GM crops for resource-poor farmers is well illustrated by a study of Bt-cotton-growing farmers in the Lang Fang Prefecture in Hebei, China.

Over the five years in which they have been growing Bt-cotton, their incomes have risen 30% due to spending less on pesticides.

Their health and the health of their families have improved due to the reduced exposure to pesticides, and the quality of their drinking water has improved due to the decreased contamination of their wells from pesticide runoff.

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USA - Two University Researchers Publish Article Stating GM Crops May Be Safer Than Organic Ones