Interesting article for those whose kids have grain allergies

[Caryn]

I know I'm beating a dead horse, but my curiosity has the best of me.

I found this article and thought it was very enlightening.

http://www.seedsofdeception.com/utility/sh...le/?objectID=36

There has been great concern that genetically engineered crops might increase allergies or immune sensitivity in the population. Soon after Monsanto’s genetically engineered soy was imported into the UK, for example, soy allergies skyrocketed by 50 percent. (No follow-up studies were conducted to confirm a link.) At a Russian press conference held on 11 December 2003, a group of scientists announced that the number of people with symptoms of allergy increased by three times over the past three years, and that the increased consumption of genetically engineered foods by the population might be the cause. Allergies are similarly on the rise in the U.S., where genetically engineered foods are eaten regularly.

 

Many scientists are concerned that crops genetically engineered to create the Bt-toxin may, in particular, have adverse immune and allergenic effects on humans.

 

A U.S. government-funded study published in 1999 confirmed that farm workers exposed to Bt insecticide sprays exhibited skin sensitization and the presence of IgE and IgG antibodies, both considered part of an allergic response. The workers with a greater reaction were those with more exposure to the spray - another allergy signal.

 

While the workers did not exhibit respiratory symptoms, the period of exposure was relatively short, and the amount of Bt that they were exposed to from the spray was quite small. Bt-crops, on the other hand, create 10 to 100 times the amount of exposure. And the seeds of some of those Bt -crops have yet another 10 to 100 times that amount.

 

Three mouse studies were conducted on a Bt-toxin, Cry1Ac, similar to that found in GM cotton and maize varieties. Two of these mouse studies showed that the Bt -toxin triggers an antibody response in the blood and mucous membranes of mice; the third demonstrated that Cry1Ac boosts the immune response to other antigens as powerfully as cholera toxin. This study verified that Bt also acts as an adjuvant. An adjuvant is an enabling agent, which increases a person’s susceptibility to other allergens and immunogens. In other words, allergic reactions as a whole might theoretically increase in a population that is exposed to an adjuvant. This might explain the increased rate of allergies described above.

 

In a study published in Natural Toxins, mice were fed a diet spiked a natural Bt -protein. When the researchers analyzed tissue sections from the ileum (the lower part of the small intestine) by electron microscopy, they found significant structural disturbances and intestinal growth.

 

All of these animal studies conclude that Bt is active in mammals, doesn’t degrade, may bind to the intestines, and therefore may pose a threat to human health. These studies suggest that feeding the Bt-crops to humans and animals may be premature.

 

and here's a five minute video: http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Multimedia/21.wmv

[kkver]

some facts on this

 

 

The United States is the World Leader in Production of Biotechnology Crops

The United States accounts for nearly two-thirds of all biotechnology crops planted globally. GM food crops grown by U.S. farmers include corn, cotton, soybeans, canola, squash, and papaya. Other major producers of GM crops are Argentina, which plants primarily biotech soybeans; Canada, whose principal biotech crop is canola; Brazil, which has recently legalized the planting of GM soybeans; China, where the acreage of GM cotton continues to increase; and South Africa, where cotton is also the principle biotech crop.

 

http://pewagbiotech.org/resources/factshee...3?FactsheetID=2

 

And someone here posted a link earlier here how genetic modified corn is killing insects and bees if the yeat them.

[patty]

Thx for the info. Caryn,

 

I have been reading about GMO crops too, and try to avoid it whenever possible. It really make sense to eat organic as it is so crucial to our health.

 

Pat