Genetically Modified DNA Transfers From Food to Human Blood

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“The news about GMO health risks just keep piling up.”  Admin

The inclusion of genetically modified (GM) plants in the human diet has raised concerns about the transfer of transgenes from GM plants to humans. Contrary to the claims by biotech giants such as Monsanto, a report in PLOS One shows that that meal-derived DNA fragments are large enough to carry complete genes as they enter the human circulatory system. In some of the human samples studied the relative concentration of plant DNA was higher than the human DNA.

The potential effects of horizontal gene transfer on human health have always been stated as an important item in the safety assessment of genetically modified organisms. However, the persistence in the human gut of DNA from dietary GM plants has been relatively unknown since their inception.

Our bloodstream is considered to be an environment well separated from the outside world and the digestive tract. According to the standard paradigm large macromolecules consumed with food cannot pass directly to the circulatory system. During digestion proteins and DNA are thought to be degraded into small constituents, amino acids and nucleic acids, respectively, and then absorbed by a complex active process and distributed to various parts of the body through the circulation system.

Based on the analysis of over 1000 human samples from four independent studies, researchers in PLOS One reported evidence that plant DNA concentration shows a surprisingly precise log-normal distribution in the plasma samples while non-plasma (cord blood) control sample was found to be free of plant DNA.

DNA molecules are ubiquitous in large numbers in all raw and unprocessed food. Depending on the extent of processing, various fractions of DNA molecules of varying size may be present in the consumed product, even in processed food such as corn chips and chocolate.

Read More  Genetically Modified DNA Transfers From Food to Human Blood.