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A new study published in the Journal of Hematology & Thromboembolic Diseases entitled Hematotoxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis as Spore-crystal Strains Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac or Cry2Aa in Swiss Albino Mice. indicates that genetically modified crops with Bacillus Thuringensis (Bt), may contribute to blood abnormalities such as leukemia. Many GM crops contain Bt.
The Brazilian study sought to establish the purported human and environmental safety of GM crops, in particular they looked at the impact that the Bt toxin has on species which it is not intended to target.
The study concludes:
Results showed that the Bt spore-crystals genetically modified to express individually Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac or Cry2A can cause some hematological risks to vertebrates,increasing their toxic effects with long-term exposure. Taking into account the increased risk of human and animal exposures to significant levels of these toxins, especially through diet, our results suggest that further studies are required to clarify the mechanism involved in the hematotoxicity found in mice, and to establish the toxicological risks to non-target organisms, especially mammals, before concluding that these microbiological control agents are safe for mammals.
This study makes a strong case that GMOs have not proven to be safe, as these scientists believe “further studies are required … before concluding that these microbiological control agents are safe for mammals.”
Interesting findings include:
– Bt toxins are capable of targeting mammalian cells, particularly red blood cells, this results in significant damage.
– Bt toxins suppress bone marrow proliferation resulting in abnormal lymphocyte patterns which can be consistent with leukemia.
– Bt toxin can cause blood changes indicating damage to bone marrow.
– Genetically Modified Bt spore-crystals induce hematotoxicity, cause in vitro hemolysis in cell lines of rat, mouse, sheep, horse, and human erythrocytes & the plasma membrane of susceptible cells may be the primary target for the toxins.
– Bt toxins can produce adverse effects when suspended in distilled water, this contradicts past claims of not requiring alkalinization via insect physiology to become activated.
– Bt toxin can cause blood changes indicating damage to bone marrow.
– Even just 27 mg/kg Cry1Ab can induce hypochromic anemia in mice.
– Bt toxins accumulate in fatty tissue and persist in the environment as their toxic impact increases after 72 hours of exposure.
Written by Alternative Free Press
New Study Links GMO To Leukemia; Bt is toxic by AlternativeFreePress.com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.