Genetically modified food is a hot topic right now with California's Prop 37 failing to pass, but this is not just an American issue. As new research emerges, other countries are becoming weary about having genetically modified food from the U.S. in its supply, due to negative health implications. Russia is the first to suspend imports and many believe Europe is next.
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Currently, up to 85 percent of U.S. corn is genetically modified. |
Russia's
consumer-rights watchdog has suspended the import and use of a genetically
engineered corn made by Monsanto Co. following a French study's
findings that suggested the crop might cause cancer.
The consumer-rights
watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, said the country's Institute of Nutrition has been
asked to assess the validity of the study.
The study, conducted
by France's University of Caen and published last week, found that rats fed
over a two-year period with the U.S. crop-biotechnology company's genetically
modified NK603 corn, marketed under the Roundup Ready brand name, developed
more tumors and other severe diseases than a test group fed with regular corn.
The study also found
that rats fed with NK603 and exposed to St. Louis-based Monsanto's Roundup
weedkiller suffered from more pathologies than the test group. The corn variety
is genetically engineered to withstand glyphosate, a weedkiller that Monsanto
sells under the Roundup label.
The French government
last week ordered its food-safety agency to review quickly the study and said
it would seek an immediate ban on European Union imports of the crop if the
study's findings were deemed conclusive.
Currently, up to 85
percent of U.S. corn is genetically engineered as are 91 percent of soybeans
and 88 percent of cotton (cottonseed oil is often used in food products).
According to industry, up to 95% of sugar beets are now GE. It has been
estimated that upwards of 70 percent of processed foods on supermarket
shelves–from soda to soup, crackers to condiments–contain genetically
engineered ingredients.
Labels: New Research, Nutrition, Russia Bans American GMO Corn.