A Three Generation Study A Three Generation Study with Genetically Modified with Genetically Modified

Bt Corn inBt Corn inRats: Biochemical and Rats: Biochemical and

Histopathological Histopathological InvestigationInvestigation

Dina GhannamDina GhannamBiology Department Biology Department Salem State CollegeSalem 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

http://bacillusthuringiensis.pbwiki.com/f/Bacillus%20Thuringiensis.jpg

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/kabernd/seminar/2004/GMevents/LH/LH.html

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 ----------- ------------ 100%

Group II ---------- 20% 80%

Group III 20% ----------- 80%

ExaminationGeneral 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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