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Professor
Hans-Hinrich Kaatz, a leading zoologist from Germany, has
found evidence that genes used to modify crops can jump the
species barrier and cause bacteria to mutate, lending more
credence to the claims of many that genetically modified (GM)
technology could pose serious health risks.
A four-year study by a respected German zoologist found that
an alien gene used to modify rapeseed (canola oil) had transferred
to bacteria living inside the guts of honeybees.
The research is
disturbing because it suggests that many types of bacteria
could become contaminated by genes used in GM technology,
including those that live inside the human digestive system.
If this happened, it could have an impact on the bacteria's
vital role in helping the human body fight disease, aid digestion,
facilitate blood clotting, and other beneficial functions.
Britain's Agriculture
Minister suggested that farmers who had accidentally grown
contaminated GM rapeseed crops in Britain rip up their crops.
Professor Kaatz
has been reluctant to talk about his research, because he
fears a backlash from the scientific community similar to
that faced by Dr Arpad Pustzai, who claimed that genetically
modified potatoes damaged the stomach lining of rats. Dr.
Pustzai was sacked and had his work discredited.
Kaatz said he 'was
not surprised' at the results. Asked if this had implications
for the bacteria inside the human gut, he said: 'Maybe, but
I am not an expert on this.'
Dr Mae-Wan Ho,
a British geneticist and a critic of GM technology, has no
doubts about the dangers. She said, 'These findings are very
worrying and provide the first real evidence of what many
have feared. Everybody is keen to exploit GM technology, but
nobody is looking at the risk of horizontal gene transfer.
We are playing about with genetic structures that existed
for millions of years and the experiment is running out of
control.'
One of the biggest
concerns is if the anti-biotic resistant gene used in some
GM crops crossed over to bacteria, which could leave us unable
to treat serious illnesses like meningitis and E coli.
The
Observer
May 28, 2000
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