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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
July 17, 2002

Contacts: Mark Helm, 202-783-7400 x102
Adrian Bebb, FoE UK, 44 771 284 3211

Genetically Engineered Crop Gene Found for First Time in Bacteria in Human Digestive System

New Concerns about Antibiotic Resistance Raised

Washington, D.C. -- New evidence from British scientists raises serious questions about the safety of genetically engineered foods. A study published by the British Food Safety Standards Agency (FAS) showed for the first time that a gene inserted in a genetically engineered crop has found its way into bacteria in the human gut. Many engineered crops have antibiotic resistance marker genes inserted in them, and there are fears that if material from these marker genes passes into humans, people’s ability to fight infections may be reduced.

Researchers fed a single meal of a hamburger and a milk shake that both contained genetically engineered soy to study participants. According to the FSA gene uptake study, entitled "Evaluating the Risks Associated with Using GMOs in Human Foods" (pp. 22-27, http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/science/sciencetopics/gmfoods/gm_reports), an herbicide resistance gene from a Roundup Ready variety of engineered soy was found by researchers in bacteria from the small intestines of three out of seven study participants (pg. 24).

Adrian Bebb, GM food campaigner for Friends of the Earth UK said, "This research should set alarm bells ringing. Industry scientists and government advisors have always played down the risk of this ever happening, but the first time they looked for it they found it."

The biotech industry has long maintained that DNA is destroyed during digestion and that there are barriers to incorporation of genetically engineered crop genes by bacteria. According to a March 4, 2001 news release by the multi-million dollar biotech lobbying initiative called the Council for Biotechnology Information, "the DNA contained in food -- including the antibiotic-resistance gene -- is broken down in the human gut during the digestive process." (http://www.whybiotech.com/index.asp?trackid=7&id=1726#1726). However, these assertions crumbled under the FSA findings, which showed that engineered crop genes can survive digestion long enough to be incorporated by bacteria.

The new evidence raises safety concerns for people eating genetically engineered foods. In particular, if antibiotic resistance genes used in some varieties of engineered crops are being picked up by bacteria in the intestines of people eating engineered foods, this could increase bacterial resistance to life-saving antibiotics.

According to Michael Antoniou, a senior lecturer in molecular genetics at King's College Medical School in London, the study "suggests that you can get antibiotic marker genes spreading amongst the bacterial population within the intestine which could compromise future antibiotic use. They have shown that this can happen even at very low levels after just one meal."

Given the research results, Friends of the Earth is calling for the immediate withdrawal of genetically engineered crops containing antibiotic resistance markers from the market. The organization also calls for further research into the effects of gene transfer to bacteria.

In May 1999, the British Medical Association also called for a ban of crops with antibiotic resistance marker genes stating, "There should be a ban on the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes in GM food, as the risk to human health from antibiotic resistance developing in micro-organisms is one of the major public health threats that will be faced in the 21st Century."

Washington, DC -- The latest edition of the journal Cloning and Stem Cells documents deaths and deformities suffered by cloned pigs at the University of Missouri and Texas A&M. The University of Missouri study, entitled "Phenotyping of Transgenic Cloned Pigs," cites "a high mortality rate among cloned piglets." Out of 10 born, five died or were destroyed by researchers due to defects such as heart failure, lameness, and anemia. The Texas A&M study, entitled "A Highly Efficient Method for Porcine Cloning by Nuclear Transfer Using In Vitro - Matured Oocytes," documents a 94% failure rate. Out of the 511 manipulated oocytes transferred, only 28 pigs came to term, one of which was still born. Additionally, "another of the 28 piglets was born lacking an anus and tail," a fatal condition called anal atresia. The study suggests that the deformity may have been introduced through the cloning process: "Was the genetic (or epigenetic) defect that led to the anal atresia introduced during the culture of the donor cell, or was it due to inappropriate nuclear reprogramming?"

"Deaths and deformities in cloned animals are the norm, not the exception, and these studies make plain once again that these creatures are suffering terribly in the process," said Wayne Pacelle, Senior Vice President of the Humane Society of the United States."

According to Dr. Ian Wilmut, co-creator of Dolly the sheep "the widespread problems associated with clones has [sic] led to questions as to whether any clone was entirely normal" ("Why no-one should be attempting to clone a child," Roslin Institute, www.roslin.ac.uk/publications/0001annrep/child.html). Even Dolly, the product of 277 failed attempts now suffers from arthritis and other symptoms of premature aging possibly caused by cloning.

At a time when political debate is heating up on the topic of whether or not to permit human cloning in the United States and many scientists are quick to proclaim their experiments a success, Dr. Wilmut also offers words of caution: "There is abundant evidence that cloning can and does go wrong and no justification for believing that this will not happen with humans."

The first cloned human pregnancies were reported in April and July of this year. "It should concern us all that scientists are trying to clone humans," said Larry Bohlen, Director of Health and Environment Programs at Friends of the Earth. "Given the evidence of almost certain harm human cloning should be banned."

FoE is a national environmental organization dedicated to preserving the health and diversity of the planet and empowering citizens to have an influential voice in decisions affecting their environment. HSUS is a national organization with a mission of promoting the protection of all animals. HSUS is dedicated to creating a world where humans' relationship with animals is guided by compassion, a truly humane society in which animals are respected for their intrinsic value, and where the human-animal bond is strong.

Friends of the Earth - 1025 Vermont Ave. NW - Washington, DC 20005 USA Tel: 202-783-7400 - Fax: 202-783-0444 - email: foe@foe.org