Showing posts with label agriculture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label agriculture. Show all posts

3 January 2012

Health impact of GM plant diets in long-term and multigenerational animal feeding trials


Abstract
This systematic review collected data concerning the effects of diets containing GM maize, potato, soybean, rice, or triticale on animal health.

They examined 12 long-term studies (of more than 90 days, up to 2 years in duration) and 12 multigenerational studies (from 2 to 5 generations). They referenced the 90-day studies on GM feed for which long-term or multigenerational study data were available. Many aspects were examined in the studies using biochemical analyses, histological examination of specific organs, hematology and the detection of transgenic DNA. The statistical findings and methods were considered from each study. 

Results from all the 24 studies do not suggest any health hazards and, in general, there were no statistically significant differences within parameters observed. However, some small differences were observed, though these fell within the normal variation range of the considered parameter and thus had no biological or toxicological significance. If required, a 90-day feeding study performed in rodents, according to the OECD Test Guideline, is generally considered sufficient in order to evaluate the health effects of GM feed. The studies reviewed present evidence to show that GM plants are nutritionally equivalent to their non-GM counterparts and can be safely used in food and feed.

Highlights
  • No significant differences in analyzed parameters were found in long-term studies.
  • No significant differences in analyzed parameters were found in multigenerational studies.
  • The 90-day OECD Test Guideline seems adequate and sufficient for evaluating health effects of GM plant diets.
  • The benefits of harmonizing experimental protocols in fundamental research to raise the quality of such studies are discussed.

Source
Snell Chelsea, Bernheim Aude, Bergé Jean-Baptiste, Kuntz Marcel, Pascal Gérard, Paris Alain, Agnès E. Ricroch
Food and Chemical Technology, In Press, Uncorrected Proof, doi:10.1016/j.fct.2011.11.048

Full article available behind a paywall.



21 November 2011

Labour Migration: opportunities and challenges for mountain livelihoods


“While working in Hong Kong I experienced many things – the way people treat a dependent or independent woman. I have gained much experience and my confidence has grown. Now, I have a say in decision-making at home. My husband does not shout at me. I have bought a piece of land and four rickshaws and I am creating a means of livelihood for four other families...”.
Sushila Rai, a Nepalese migrant domestic worker, (Jolly and Reeves 2005, in ICIMOD Summer 2011 periodical)

The latest edition of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Periodical Summer 2011 focuses on:

  • labour migration in the Himalayas and Nepal a very interesting topic evidencing the positive and negative economic, social and environmental impacts of labour migration in mountain communities;
  • impact of environmental change on human migration;
  • internal and international migration in the Peruvian Andes;
  • feminisation, ageing of agriculture and farmer's changing livlihoods in South Western China; and
  • the use of remittances in natural or political crises in Pakistan.

My highlights are the many quotes of people that ICIMOD have talked to.

“We are dependent on agriculture, which is totally dependent on good weather conditions. The biggest problem we face is food insecurity. If the weather was good, with timely rain and better food security, we would never opt to migrate. Why would we want to leave our families and travel to another place and work like animals?”
Village Development Committee (VDC) Secretary, Dailekh district, Nepal (ICIMOD, unpublished)

Click here to download the periodical.

Hat tip: Loreley Fortuny via IAIA Connect.