Scientists now have proof, for the first time, that bacteria
in the human intestines can absorb DNA from genetically
modified food. Although the amount absorbed is small and
only occurs during special circumstances, opponents of GM
foods warn that if intestinal bacteria can absorb
antibiotic-resistant genes, this threatens the effectiveness
of antibiotics in the human body. When we need to take
antibiotics to fight off infection, they may no longer work.
The discovery was made by Harry Gilbert of the University of
Newcastle upon Tyne in the U.K., who fed a hamburger and a
milk shake containing GM soya to 12 healthy volunteers and
to 7 volunteers who had previously had their colons
surgically removed.
When Gilbert examined stools from the healthy volunteers, he
found no traces of DNA from the GM food, since it had been
thoroughly digested. But when he examined waste products
collected from the 7 colostomy bags, he found that up to
3.7% of the GM DNA survived.
Gilbert thinks the DNA may survive its journey through the
small intestine but get completely destroyed in the large
intestine, which would explain why it was present in
colostomy bags but not in the actual intestines.
Does this mean that those of us who still have our colons
are safe eating GM food? There are contradictory conclusions
from this study. ?We?ve said time and time again there?s a
risk of this happening, says Adrian Bebb of the Friends of
the Earth. ?Now, they?ve looked just once and they?ve found it."
But Gilbert says, ?These data support the view that GM soya
does not represent a significant risk to human health
through gene transfer.?
Let?s hope more studies are done soon, before we become
genetically-modified human beings.
What is GM food doing to our bodies? Read ?Eating in the
Dark? by Kathleen
Hart,click here.
For more information, click here.
