Food Protection Trends - January 2009 - 43

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FOOD SAFETY Genetically-Engineered Food: Potential Threat to Fertility course of 20 weeks. One of the studies was a so-called reproductive assessment by continuous breeding (RACB) trial, in which the same parent generation gave birth to several litters of baby mice. The parents were fed either with a diet containing 33% of a GE maize variety (NK 603 x MON 810), or a closely related non-GE variety. A decrease in litter size and weight was found to be statistically significant in the third and fourth litters in the GE-fed mice compared to the control group. Owned by Monsanto, the GE maize variety tested in this study is tolerant to a herbicide and resistant to certain insect pests. It has been approved for planting and food use in a variety of countries, including the US, Argentina, Japan, Philippines and South Africa. In Mexico and the European Union, it is approved for food and feed use. “This study is yet another example that the food and feed safety of GE crops and food cannot be guaranteed. The reproductive toxicity of this GE maize was a totally unexpected result, but regulators around the world had considered this GE maize variety as safe as nonGE varieties – a potentially devastating error,” said Dr. van Aken. products, including EpiPen®, an autoinjector device containing epinephrine, a drug that can stop an anaphylactic reaction. In that role, she has dealt extensively with leaders in the allergy-related scientific community. She has also conducted research on the needs of those who suffer from food allergy and anaphylaxis. Frank Yiannas, FAAN’s Chairman of the Board, said, “Julia’s background in the treatment of anaphylaxis, her knowledge of the allergy community, and her passion for protecting food-allergic individuals are what made her an ideal candidate for this position. She is well positioned to help set FAAN’s strategic agenda for the next five years.” Hugh Sampson, M.D., FAAN’s medical director, said, “Julia’s background in health policy and administration, her understanding of anaphylaxis and its effects on patients and their families, and her appreciation of the history and culture of FAAN make her an ideal candidate to lead the organization over the coming years. With Julia, our patients’ welfare and scientific accuracy will remain at the forefront of FAAN’s mission.” Ms. Bradsher holds a Ph.D. in medical sociology from the University of Miami and a master’s in business administration from the Sawyer School of Management at Suffolk University in Boston. She has authored 10 journal articles, seven book chapters, and other solicited publications, and she has held research and faculty appointments in private research institutes and universities. Anne Muñoz-Furlong, FAAN’s Founder and CEO for its first 18 years, said, “We have been searching for someone who can provide the intellectual leadership and the A study published by the Austrian government identified serious health threats of genetically engineered (GE) crops. In one of the very few long-term feeding studies ever conducted with GE crops, the fertility of mice fed with GE maize was found to be severely impaired, with fewer offspring being produced than by mice fed on natural crops. Considering the severity of the potential threat to human health and reproduction, Greenpeace is demanding a recall of all GE food and crops from the market, worldwide. The study, sponsored by the Austrian Ministries for Agriculture and Health, was presented at a scientific seminar in Vienna, Austria. Dr. JÃnrgen Zentek, professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Vienna and lead author of the study, summarized the findings: Mice fed with GE maize had less offspring in the third and fourth generations, and these differences were statistically significant. Mice fed with non-GE maize reproduced more efficiently. This effect can be attributed to the differences in the food source. “GE food appears to be acting as a birth control agent, potentially leading to infertility – if this is not reason enough to close down the whole biotech industry once and for all, I am not sure what kind of disaster we are waiting for,” said Dr. Jan van Aken, GE expert at Greenpeace International. “Playing genetic roulette with our food crops is like playing Russian roulette with consumers and public health.” The Austrian scientists performed several long-term feeding trials with laboratory mice over a FAAN Names New CEO he Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) has named Julia E. Bradsher, Ph.D., as its new CEO, replacing Founder Anne Muñoz-Furlong, who is retiring. Dr. Bradsher brings to FAAN extensive knowledge of anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction. For the past six years, as senior director of marketing, she led the marketing team and strategic planning for all Dey Pharmaceutical T JANUARY 2009 | FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS 43

Food Protection Trends - January 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - January 2009