Health risks

Today (2023), the major part of the gm are resistant to herbicides, particularly glyphosate. It has been reported that, both the transgenic maize resistant to herbicides, such as the herbicide itself, are harmful to human health.

The safety of maize genetically modified has been challenged by various scientific studies, one of the most relevant the report of the molecular biologist frenchman Gilles-Eric Séralini in 2012, which showed that the transgenic maize NK603 Monsanto (consumed in Mexico through its import from the united States), generates damage in the kidneys and liver, as well as that it is possible generator of tumors. In addition, studies have been performed in other animals and have found a variety of adverse effects in addition to the component carcinogenic, as are alterations in the reproductive development (pre-natal and post-natal), hormones, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption and the microbiome.

Given these effects harmful to health, it is necessary to push for labeling of food products containing gmos, and aspire to its prohibition for human consumption, direct and indirect. Also, studies have been conducted concerning the effects of transgenic-derived new methods of genetic engineering, as is the editing genetics by Crispr-Cas9, which is identified may cause cancer, removal or alteration of genetic sequences that do not seek change, the same thing happening with genes that are activated or silenced as a side effect. Again, this technology is controversial with regard to its effects on human health.

Unfortunately, we have found herbicides such as glyphosate in tortillas and other foods from the diet mexican, which in turn has resulted in the presence of glyphosate in human blood and urine. 

Recommended sources

Espinosa, A., Sánchez, R., Driker, S., y Hagman E. (28 de abril del 2023). Maíz transgénico y soberanía nacional.  [Clausura] Jornadas académicas: Maíz transgénico y soberanía nacional. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWmkqhSQYzg

Chen, S.,  et al. (2022). Evaluation of adverse effects/events of genetically modified food consumption: a systematic review of animal and human studies [Evaluation of effects/events of the consumption of genetically modified foods: a systematic review of studies in animals and humans]. Environmental Sciences Europe, 34(8), 1-33.

Ruiz-Toledo et al., (2014). Occurrence of Glyphosate in Water Bodies Derived for Intensive Agriculture in a Tropical Region of Southern Mexico [Presence of glyphosate in water bodies derived from the intensive agriculture in a tropical region of the south of Mexico]. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 93, 289-293.

Ingaramo, P., Alarcón, R., Muñoz-de-Toro, M., Luque, E. (2020). Are glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides endocrine disruptors that alter female fertility? What are the glyphosate and herbicides based on glyphosate, endocrine disrupters that alter the female fertility?]. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 518https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2020.110934

Istituto Ramazzini (2023) Global Glyphosate Study.

Séralini, G-E., Clair, E., Mesnage, R., Gress, S., Defarge, N., Malatesta, M., Hennequin, D., Spiroux de Vendômois, J. (2012) Long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize. Food and Chemical Toxicology. http://dxdoi.org/10.1016.j.fct.2012.08.00

Bradley, A., Tomberg, K. and Kosicki, M. (2018). Repair of double-strand breaks induced by CRISPR–Cas9 leads to large deletions and complex rearrangements. Nature Biotechnology, 36, 765-771.

Haapaniemi, E., Botla, S., Persson, J., Schmierer, B., and Taipale, J. (2018). CRISPR/Cas9-genome editing you encourage to p53-mediated DNA damage response. Nature Medicine. doi: 10.1038/s41591-018-0049-z