New research, revealed on today's “World In Action” programme, shows that genetically engineered potatoes have damaged the immune system of rats [1]. FOE has also released the details of further Government research now underway into the health effects of eating“Frankenstein Foods”.

Government research projects due to finish in the year 2001 include investigations into:
.    The risk of gene transfer from genetically modified crop plants to gut bacteria
.    Risks associated with using GMO's in human foods
.    DNA survival in the gut and possible genetic transformation of resident bacteria [2]
     (Details of all projects are available from FOE)

Some genetically engineered food, grown abroad, is already in British shops. It includes genetically engineered soya. Soya is present in 60% of processed foods, including chocolate, cakes and bread.

Adrian Bebb, Food Campaigner for Friends of the Earth said:

    “We are all being used as lab rats in one huge Frankenstein experiment. The Government hasn't finished checking the health effects of these foods, but at the same time we are all being forced to eat them. This is the craziest gamble with our health since the last Government stood back while BSE entered the food chain We want an immediate moratorium on genetically engineered crops.”

[1]    The Rowett Institute carried out feeding trials on rats, using transgenic potatoes. Two transgenic strains from the same parent were used. One contained the insect toxic protein from snowdrops (a lectin known as GNA), and the other a gene from Jack beans known as Con-a. Rats were fed on a diet of raw and cooked potatoes. One group was fed on GNA spuds, another on Con-a spuds, and the control groups on the non transgenic parent potatoes. There were two trials, of 10 days and 110 days in duration. In the shorter trials rats were fed only on potatoes (low protein diet relative) and in the longer trial on potatoes and protein supplements(9% protein).

[2]    Parliamentary Answer, Hansard 11th February 1998.

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