13/05/2026 New Rat Feeding Study Using GE Crops Shows Human Health Risks
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13/05/2026 New Rat Feeding Study Using GE Crops Shows Human Health Risks |
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The study looked at the cocktail of pesticides that have been genetically engineered into crops to make them resistant to spraying throughout their growing season. These GE crops are widely commercialised in the Americas. The study tested effects of the herbicide’s glyphosate alone and a combination of Monsanto/Bayer’s Roundup, Bayer/BASF dicamba and Corteva’s 2,4-D formulations. The proprietary formulations have additives (adjuvants) to enhance their toxicity. The research observed that those animals who ingested the chemical cocktails had structural alterations, immune changes and inflammation with altered microbial composition in the large and small intestine. “If these GE food findings are extrapolated to humans, they could explain the rising digestive problems like irritable bowel, leaky gut and immune system reactions that are hidden in our processed imported foods that we don’t know about because of lack of labelling,” said Claire Bleakley. It is of grave concern that hundreds of weeds species have become resistant to glyphosate-based herbicides. The weed and pest resistance for farmers has resulted in the use of GE crops that can be sprayed with a cocktail of glyphosate, 2, 4-D and dicamba as well as up to four insecticidal genes engineered into crops. [2] “This cocktail of patented GE pesticide plants has turned the GE foods into a toxic food source, where the toxins cannot be washed or boiled away,’ said Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ This study is especially relevant in the US where highly-sprayed GE ingredients are in many foods. There is no protection against the toxic exposure to pesticide contamination in the GE food chain.[3] "The Roundup formulation has been found to be a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organisation body the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Many people have suffered from the cancers attributable to the use of Roundup and generic glyphosate-based herbicides have been awarded compensation. [4][5] Today, consumers can be assured that crops, fruit and vegetable foods grown and processed in New Zealand are GE Free. Unlike the US, there are very few imported processed foods that are sourced from GE ingredients and sold unlabelled. But consumer protections are at risk if the unsafe Gene Technology Bill is passed or existing HSNO legislation is changed as it weakens our regulations that have protected food integrity and New Zealand exports. [6] References: [1] Mesnage, R., Ferguson, S., Nechalioti, PM. et al. Impact of glyphosate and its mixture with 2,4-D and dicamba on gut biochemical function, intestinal barrier integrity and microbiome composition in adult rats with prenatal commencement of exposure. Arch Toxicol (2026).https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00204-026-04409-9 [2] Curran, W., Rubione, C.G., VanGessel, M., Unglesbee, E. (2025). The Basics of Herbicide Resistance. Getting Rid of Weeds (GROW) Through Integrated Weed Management. https://growiwm.org/herbicide-resistance/https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12940-025-01187-2 [3]Panzacchi, S., Tibaldi, E., De Angelis, L. et al. Carcinogenic effects of long-term exposure from prenatal life to glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides in Sprague–Dawley rats. Environ Health24, 36 (2025). [4]https://www.iarc.who.int/featured-news/media-centre-iarc-news-glyphosate/ ENDS: Claire Bleakley - president - 027 348 6731 Jon Carapiet - spokesman 0210507681
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