Rats being fed genetically modified food eat more and grow fatter

Since genetically modified (GM) food started to appear in shops in the early nineties, large quantities have been sold for human consumption – without any harmful effects, as far as we know. But is there a risk of a long-term impact?

An international research project is exploring the effects of GM food, studying the impact on rats, mice, pig and salmon. The wide-ranging study includes researchers from Hungary, Austria, Ireland, Turkey, Australia and Norway.

“We are trying to identify which indicators we need to measure in order to explore unintentional effects from GM food,” explains Professor Åshild Krogdahl of the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science.

“The findings could give us some understanding of the potential effects for these animal species as well as for humans.”

Rats fattening up

As part of the project, a group of rats were fed corn which had been genetically modified for pest resistance. Over a period of 90 days they became slightly fatter than the control group of rats fed non-GM corn. The same effect occurred where rats were fed fish which, in turn, had eaten GM corn.

“If the same effect applies to humans, how would it impact on people eating this type of corn over a number of years, or even eating meat from animals feeding on this corn?” he asks.

“I don’t wish to sound alarmist, but it is an interesting phenomenon and worth exploring further.”
Different microstructure

Examining the effects on salmon, the researchers found distinct differences between fish being fed GM food and those on a non-GM diet.

“These were not major changes; all were within a normal range and the fish appeared healthy,” says Krogdahl.

Read more.. http://sciencenordic.com/growing-fatter-gm-diet