A recent study indicates that a diet containing genetically modified or engineered (GM, GE) foods can impair reproduction in laboratory mice. Although it is has not yet been determined if this also applies to other species, the results of this study certainly suggest that it is safer to feed your pets foods that don”t contain GE ingredients. The safest way to do this is to choose certified organic pet foods, in which the use of GE ingredients are prohibited and their exclusion is verified by an unbiased third party.

Dr. Jürgen Zentek, Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Vienna, performed a feeding study with genetically engineered corn (GVO-Mais NK603 X Mon810) using laboratory mice. The experimental group of mice was fed a diet containing 33% GE corn, while the control group received a diet containing 33% non-GE corn.

There was no significant difference in food intake, body weight, or longevity in the adult mice. However, both the number of litters and the litter sizes decreased significantly in the GE-fed group.

This study was funded by the Austrian Department of Health and can be read in detail (in German) at https://bmgfj.cms.apa.at/cms/site/standard.html?channel=CH0810&doc=CMS1226492832306.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at 2:32 pm and is filed under Organic and Green Pet Foods. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.