THIRD WORLD NETWORK BIOSAFETY INFORMATION SERVICE
Dear Friends and Colleagues
Effects of GE Soybean Feed on Goat Offspring
A study by scientists at the University of Naples, Italy has examined the impacts on the offspring of goats fed with genetically engineered (GE) soybeans produced by Monsanto (Item 1). It found that goats fed the GM feed had a lower percentage of protein and fat in the colostrum as well as in the milk up to 15 days after lactation, which led to reduced weight in their kids. There was likewise a reduction of immunoglobulins in the colostrum, which could have also contributed to the lower growth performance.
Transgenic fragments were detected in colostrum of the treated groups, demonstrating that plant DNA fragments are likely to survive the digestive processes. The scientists call for further research to understand the role played by the transgenic fragments detected in the colostrum.
A commentary on the study by Testbiotech points out that GE plants have been observed to influence the immune system in mice, rats, pigs and fish, amongst others (Item 2). “Recent findings have triggered new questions and show just how large the gaps are in the risk assessment of genetically engineered plants”, says Christoph Then for Testbiotech. “Consequently, we cannot exclude effects on human health.”
With best wishes
Third World Network
131 Jalan Macalister
10400 Penang
Malaysia
Email: twnet@po.jaring.my
Websites: https://biosafety-info.net/ and http://www.twn.my/
To unsubscribe: reply ‘unsubscribe’ to news@biosafety-info.net
To subscribe to other TWN information services: www.twnnews.net
Item 1
Genetically modified soybean in a goat diet: Influence on kid performance
R. Tudisco R., Calabrò S. Cutrignelli M.I., Moniello G., Grossi M., Mastellone V., Lombardi P., Pero M., Infascelli F. (2015) Small Ruminant Res.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.01.023
Abstract
The in vivo and post mortem performance and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in kids born from goats fed conventional (group C) or genetically modified (group T) soybean meal were evaluated. The goat colostrum quality, in terms of chemical composition, as well as immunoglobulin concentration, and the presence of feed DNA fragments were also investigated. Kid birth weights were similar, while significantly (P < 0.05) higher in those born from goats in group C at day 30 and at slaughtering. In addition, kids from mothers fed conventional soybean recorded significant (P < 0.05) higher height at the withers and chest width. Concerning the post mortem measurements, only carcass weights were significantly affected by the treatment resulting in lighter T kids (P < 0.05). Colostrum from the treated groups recorded a significantly (P < 0.01) lower percentage of protein and fat. Similarly, both chemical parameters significantly differed in milk collected 15 days after kidding, although these differences disappeared in the successive samplings. Both colostrum and kids serum IgG concentration were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the treated groups. Transgenic target DNA sequences (35S and CP4 EPSPS) were not detected in colostrum from goats that received a diet containing conventional soybean meal. By contrast, transgenic DNA fragments were amplified (P < 0.05) in samples from goats that received the transgenic soybean.
Item 2
Genetically engineered soybean are impacting growth in offspring from goats
Testbiotech
http://www.testbiotech.org/en/node/1152
* Italian scientists report changes in milk and reduced body weight in kids
A recent scientific publication has reported significant impacts on the offspring of goats fed with genetically engineered soybeans. According to the publication prepared by the University of Naples (Italy), there were changes in the composition of the goats’ milk and the weight of the kids was significantly reduced. DNA sequences stemming from genetically engineered soybeans were resistant to digestion and subsequently found in the milk. The study showed that feeding genetically engineered herbicide resistant soybeans to the goats led to a significant reduction of immunoglobulins in the milk just after birth, which then led to the reduced weight in kids. The scientists had already in a previous study reported finding specific DNA sequences in goats’ milk and specific changes in the blood chemistry of kids fed with the milk.
When fed with genetically engineered soybeans produced by Monsanto the goats showed a reduction of around 40% in the content of an important immune substance (immunoglobulin G) in the mothers’ milk and in the blood serum of the kids. The authors believe this could be due to the impairment of a specific group of white blood cells (B lymphocytes) in the mother animals. It has often been observed that genetically engineered plants influence the immune system amongst others in mice, rats, pigs and fish.
“Recent findings have triggered new questions and show just how large the gaps are in the risk assessment of genetically engineered plants. Even though several publications have reported effects on the immune system of mammals, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) still does not request any specific investigations before authorisation”, says Christoph Then for Testbiotech. “Consequently, we cannot exclude effects on human health.”
In the light of these recent findings, which must be followed by further investigations, goats might react differently when fed with genetically engineered plants than, for instance, cows where a transfer of specific genetically engineered DNA into the milk or impacts on the immune system have not yet been proven. These observations raise questions concerning the transfer of findings from feeding studies with rats and mice to humans. Even twenty years after the introduction of genetically engineered plants into agriculture there have still been no investigations on the real impact in humans.
There are in effect some methodological shortcomings in the details of the Italian study. For example, residues from spraying with herbicides where not investigated. Testbiotech, however, believes that these shortcomings cannot be used to throw out the results of the investigation, since there are to date no other comparable studies.
Contact:
Christoph Then, Tel.: 0049 15154638040, info@testbiotech.org.