Russia Suspends Imports Of American GM Corn

September 26, 2012

To increase the genetic diversity of U.S. corn, the Germplasm Enhancement for Maize (GEM) project seeks to combine exotic germplasm, such as this unusually colored and shaped maize from Latin America, with domestic corn lines. U Deutsch: Maiskolben (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Seems Russia is having a problem with safety of genetically modified corn products.

Russia suspends import and use of American GM corn after study revealed cancer risk
By SEAN POULTER
PUBLISHED: 11:15 EST, 25 September 2012 | UPDATED: 01:57 EST, 26 September 2012

Russia has suspended the import and use of an American GM corn following a study suggesting a link to breast cancer and organ damage.
Separately, the European Food Safety Authority(EFSA), has ordered its own review in to the research, which was conducted at a French university.
The decision by Russia could be followed by other nations in what would be a severe blow to the take-up of the controversial technology.

Historically, biotech companies have proved the safety of GM crops based on trials involving feeding rats for a period of 90 days.
However, experts at the University of Caen conducted an experiment running for the full lives of rats – two years.
The findings, which were peer reviewed by independent experts before being published in a respected scientific journal, found raised levels of breast cancer, liver and kidney damage.

Last week Monsanto said it did not think the French study would affect its license to export the NK603 to Europe but would wait to hear from EFSA.
The company said: ‘Based on our initial review, we do not believe the study presents information that would justify any change in EFSA’s views on the safety of genetically modified corn products or alter their approval status for genetically modified imports.’

Read more at The Daily Mail.

We have to wonder how much G M corn is grown and is it a concern to products sold in this country? We would think genetically modified products are bigger than people might think.

Anyone know more about this?

Updated information: We spoke to an AG expert about genetically modified corn. Basically genetically modified corn is largely used for ethanol production and or feed for some livestock feeds. Is Russia using this corn for food products? Unless you can get cancer from driving your vehicles with ethanol it should not be a concern in the U.S..