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Eating genetically modified corn (GMO corn) has caused rats to develop horrifying tumors, widespread organ damage, and premature death. That's the conclusion of a shocking new study that looked at the long-term effects of consuming Monsanto's genetically modified corn. The study was published in The Food & Chemical Toxicology Journal and was just presented at a news conference in London.



The study has been deemed "the most thorough research ever published into the health effects of GMO food crops and the herbicide Roundup on rats." News of the horrifying findings is spreading fast, with even the mainstream media in shock over the photos of rats with multiple grotesque tumors; tumors so large the rats even had difficulty breathing in some cases. GMOs may be the new thalidomide.



"Monsanto Roundup weedkiller and GMO maize implicated in 'shocking' new cancer study" wrote The Grocery, a popular UK publication.

It reported, "Scientists found that rats exposed to even the smallest amounts, developed mammary tumors and severe liver and kidney damage as early as four months in males, and seven months for females."



The Daily Mail reported, "Fresh row over GMO foods as French study claims rats fed the controversial crops suffered tumors."



It goes on to say: "The animals on the GMO diet suffered mammary tumors, as well as severe liver and kidney damage. The researchers said 50 percent of males and 70 percent of females died prematurely, compared with only 30 percent and 20 percent in the control group."

The Study

The study, led by Gilles-Eric Seralini of the University of Caen, was the first ever study to examine the long-term (lifetime) effects of eating GMOs.

You may find yourself thinking it is absolutely astonishing that no such studies were ever conducted before GMO corn was approved for widespread use by the USDA and FDA, but such is the power of corporate lobbying and corporate greed.

Findings From The Study

Here are some of the shocking findings from the study:

Up to 50% of males and 70% of females suffered premature death.

Rats that drank trace amounts of Roundup (at levels legally allowed in the water supply) had a 200% to 300% increase in large tumors.

Rats fed GMO corn and traces of Roundup suffered severe organ damage including liver damage and kidney damage.

The study fed these rats NK603, the Monsanto variety of GMO corn that's grown across North America and widely fed to animals and humans. This is the same corn that's in your corn-based breakfast cereal, corn tortillas and corn snack chips.

The UK's Daily Mail is reporting on some of the reaction to the findings

France's Jose Bove, vice-chairman of the European Parliament's commission for agriculture and known as a fierce opponent of GMO, called for an immediate suspension of all EU cultivation and import authorisations of GMO crops. 'This study finally shows we are right and that it is urgent to quickly review all GMO evaluation processes,' he said in a statement. 'National and European food security agencies must carry out new studies financed by public funding to guarantee healthy food for European consumers.'



Our analysis clearly reveals for the 3 GMOs new side effects linked with GMO 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 GMO corn. In addition, unintended direct or indirect metabolic consequences of the genetic modification cannot be excluded.

Here Are Some Quotes From The Researchers About The Findings

"This research shows an extraordinary number of tumors developing earlier and more aggressively - particularly in female animals. I am shocked by the extreme negative health impacts." - Dr Michael Antoniou, molecular biologist, King's College London.



"We can expect that the consumption of GMO maize and the herbicide Roundup, impacts seriously on human health." - Dr Antoniou.



"This is the first time that a long-term animal feeding trial has examined the impact of feeding GMO corn or the herbicide Roundup, or a combination of both and the results are extremely serious. In the male rats, there was liver and kidney disorders, including tumors and even more worryingly, in the female rats, there were mammary tumors at a level which is extremely concerning; up to 80 percent of the female rats had mammary tumors by the end of the trial." - Patrick Holden, Director, Sustainable Food Trust.

The Study Abstract Can Be Read Here

The study is entitled, "A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health." and the abstract can be read here:

http://www.biolsci.org/v05p0706.htm