Journal or Publishing Institution: Mexico’s National Council of Humanities, Science and Technology (CONAHCYT)
Study: https://usrtk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DOSSIER-MAIZ-2024-ENGfinal-5.pdf
Article Type: Govt Report
Abstract:
When the first GMOs appeared in different countries around the world, there was little or no scientific evidence demonstrating that they had no negative effects on human health, the environment and biodiversity. At the same time, the scientific community has for decades been warning about the potential risks and, more recently, the harm inherent to the consumption and cultivation of these organisms.
Today there is no scientific consensus on the safety of human or animal consumption and the releasing into the environment of GM crops. What there is, however, is a corpus of scientific research that has shown that transgenesis is an imprecise technology with unexpected and undesired effects; in particular, it has demonstrated the risks and harm
it entails.
Few countries around the world have accepted the planting of GM corn in their territory, and a few more have authorized the entry of this grain into their country for human or animal consumption or for industrial processing. In Mexico, the introduction of GM corn has led to the transgenic contamination of native corn varieties, with negative environmental, biocultural, social, economic and political consequences. This has been systematically demonstrated by various scientific investigations.
In addition, groups of scientists, free of conflicts of interest, have shown that the consumption of GM corn is harmful to the health of laboratory and farm animals, affecting in particular the organs of their reproductive and digestive systems, as well as causing exacerbated immunological and allergic reactions, increased mortality rates and the development of chronic degenerative diseases, especially cancer. Furthermore, since GM corn is inextricably associated with highly dangerous pesticides that are part
of the technological package deployed to grow it, people and animals consuming food containing ingredients based on this GMO are exposed to its damaging effects. This is particularly the case with glyphosate, which has been shown, even at low doses, to have carcinogenic effects through different routes, acting as an endocrine disruptor, altering reproductive systems and causing various metabolic diseases and affectations in different organs and systems.
Mexican corn, on the other hand, has exceptional nutraceutical and nutritional qualities, in addition to a great genetic and biocultural richness, bestowing it with adaptive advantages under diverse climatic and ecological conditions. It is also used in a huge range of dishes and foods that foment human health and wellbeing.
Citation:
Mexico’s National Council of Humanities, Science and Technology (CONAHCYT). 2024. Scientific Dossier on Genetically Modified Corn and its Effects.
Category:
- Health effects
- Environmental effects
- Regulatory issues
- Pesticide use
Record ID: 2572
