As reported in recent issues of this News Report, Europe has been the scene for acts of vandalism, calls for a complete moratorium on biotechnology research, and myriad legal challenges to the importation of transgenic food commodities. Adding fuel to the fire is a recent report from a study in which rats fed transgenic insect resistant potatoes developed serious health effects. As with many controversial topics, however, the full story takes longer to tell and is less likely to make the evening news. The following article provides a more complete picture of the story behind the headlines, and should be read as a cautionary tale about communicating responsibly with the public. GNA and Con A, respectively.
Lectins are proteins highly resistant to digestion which can be assimilated into the body.
Some are powerful growth triggers which mimic hormones and some can change the bacterial composition of gut flora. However, the lectins in Dr. Pusztai's experiments are known to be toxic to insects. John Gatehouse developed the potatoes at the University of Durham for Pusztai's studies and was not surprised when Pusztai reported the GM potatoes stunted the growth of rats and damaged their immune systems. We know that they're toxic to insects, so it isn't shocking if they also have toxicity to animals. That was what we wanted to know, and that's why the tests were carried out.