A Three Generation Study with Genetically Modified Bt Corn in Rats: Biochemical and Histopathological Investigation Dina Ghannam Biology Department Salem State College

What this study is about Investigation of health risks using GM crops (Bt corn) in rats Genetically modified food (GM): – What is GM food? – Advantages – Disadvantages

Bt corn Bacillus thuringiensis

Materials and Methods Rats –Age, gender, generations, housing and environment. Groups –group I, group II, group III. Diets –Standard, reference, and transgenic

Groups and diets Transgenic corn (Bt) Reference corn Standard diet Group I % Group II % 80% Group III 20% %

Examination General observation Fertility, off springs and weight Histopathology Tissue samples, microscope, glomeruli from kidney, and liver Biochemical Blood sample, serum analysis (urea, nitrogen, uric acid, etc.)

Results General result –Fertility –Body weight –Organ weights Histopathology (Group III) –Stomach: normal –Liver and kidney

Photomicrographs of liver and kidney Liver A-C, kidney D-F.

Blood Serum Results Significant change of: Creatinine, gllobulin and albumin Groups and genders Urea uric acid

Conclusion GM food is both beneficial and harmful at the same time. Using Bt corn did not have any adverse effects. Many (minor) changes happened at the tissue level and body fluid level Short term study is not enough. A long term study is strongly suggested using other kinds of animals. Because of FDA approval of GM food, considered relatively safe

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