During what is possibly the most hard-hitting GMO report ever aired by mainstream media, Max Goldberg states: “No long-term studies have ever been done on humans, but when you look at the studies that have been done on animals, it’s pretty appalling. You’re talking about liver damage and kidney damage and when they fed it to hamsters, the third generation of hamsters weren’t able to produce babies, so there’s real safety issues.”

While to alternative news reporters and readers this might not be new information, it is rare that the mainstream media has covered the topic with such openness. The hard-hitting discussion between Carol Alt and Max Goldberg aired on FOX’s ‘A Healthy You’ program. Is this another positive step forward in raising awareness about the dangers of GMOs? Certainly.

Goldberg’s statements refer to a 2007 study published in the journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Technology that revealed that rats who were fed Monsanto’s MON863 corn for more than 90 days began to show “signs of toxicity” in the liver and kidneys.[1] While it is never certain that what happens in an animal study will happen to humans, rats and humans have a very high number of similarities in biology which is why they are so often used in studies. While it is my opinion that the ethics of such studies are not sound, it is clear to see why they are used.

Another study that reveals the dangers of GMO’s was published in 2010 by Russian biologist Alexey V. Surov. The study tested the effects of Monsanto’s genetically modified soy on hamsters. The study monitored three generations of hamsters over a two year period and found that third generation hamsters not only lost the ability to reproduce, but even began growing hair inside their mouths. [2]

We know for certain that GMO’s have dangerous side effects on animals and we do know that there has not been substantial analysis done on GMO’s to determine their safety for humans. It only seems natural that we would stop the production of GMO’s and instead employ smarter agricultural practices instead of modifying nature in dangerous ways. At the very least, it should be mandatory that every GMO product be labelled so consumers can clearly see what they are buying.

The complete article, including a video is linked here.

Generalizing about GMO’s when there innumerable applications and variations is risky business when condemning them wholesale. However, when there is so much propaganda about their safety, so many untested and unreported elements supporting pessimism, so much opposition to transparent labelling, this article is justified.