Natasha Longo, Prevent Disease
Waking Times

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.

The amount of DNA in food is relatively low compared to other constituents and does not have significant nutritional value, hence nutritional studies rarely deal with this issue.

More studies coming forward point to increasing evidence of gene transfer from genetically modified crops to gut microflora most likely occuring with transgenes of microbial origin.

Mechanism of Health Risks

Antibiotic resistance among microbial human pathogens is currently a top priority issue in health care and research. The horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic-resistance genes between microorganisms has been important for the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Pathogens may also produce enzymes and toxins that cause damage in host cells, which may facilitate entry into tissues (eg, proteinases of fungi infecting lungs) or suppress immune response (eg, damage to blood cells). In addition, pathogens may be self-sufficient for certain nutritional compounds or be able to sequester them.

Australian researchers have recently revealed serious issues over a new kind of genetically engineered wheat that could induce major health threats for people that consume it. “If this silences the same gene in us that it silences in the wheat — well, children who are born with this enzyme not working tend to die by the age of about five,” stated Professor Carman.

Various mechanisms exist for gene transfer between microorganisms, such as phage transduction, conjugation, and transformation by free DNA. The possible scenario for gene transfer between GM crops and microorganisms is, however, limited to transformation with free DNA. Blood is not free of DNA. White blood cells have nuclei that contain genetic material, which gives the dominant part of the DNA in a full blood sample. Beyond the DNA contained in the white blood cells the cell free blood plasma contains DNA, too.

When genetic engineers insert a new gene into any organism there are “position effects” which can lead to unpredictable changes in the pattern of gene expression and genetic function. The protein product of the inserted gene may carry out unexpected reactions and produce potentially toxic products. There is also serious concern about the dangers of using genetically engineered viruses as delivery vehicles (vectors) in the generation of transgenic plants and animals. This could destabilise the genome, and also possibly create new viruses, and thus dangerous new diseases. (Refs: Green, A.E. et al (1994) SCIENCE 263:1423; Osbourn, J.K. et al (1990) VIROLOGY 179:921.)

Alterations in our DNA can change our metabolism, growth rate, and/or response to external environmental factors. Potential health risks to humans include the possibility of exposure to new allergens, obesity, immune-suppression, cancer as well as the transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes to gut flora. All of these health risks are faciliated by enzymes within digestive tract.

The integrity of the DNA is countered by the activity of DNA degrading enzymes released by the pancreas and intestinal epithelial cells during its passage through the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, it has been shown that fragments of genetically modified DNA can persist in the gastrointestinal tract and consequently be available for uptake by intestinal competent bacteria.

There are animal studies, mainly focusing on the GMO issue, supporting the idea that small fragments of nucleic acids may pass to the bloodstream and even get into various tissues. For example, foreign DNA fragments were detected by PCR based techniques in the digestive tract and leukocytes of rainbow trouts fed by genetically modified soybean, and other studies report similar results in goats, pigs and mice.

Global Threat To Humanity’s Food Supply

Unnatural gene transfers from one species to another are dangerous. Biotechnology companies erroneously claim that their manipulations are similar to natural genetic changes or traditional breeding techniques. However, the cross-species transfers being made, such as between fish and tomatoes, or between other unrelated species, would not happen in nature and may create new toxins, diseases, and weaknesses.

The process of inserting genes is quite random and can damage normal genes. Genetic research shows that many weaknesses in plants, animals, and humans have their origin in tiny imperfections in the genetic code. Therefore, the random damage resulting from gene insertion will inevitably result in side-effects and accidents. Scientists have assessed these risks to be substantial. (Refs: Palmiter, R.D. et al (1986) ANNUAL REVIEW OF GENETICS 20: 465; Inose, T. et al (1995) INT. JOUR. FOOD SCIENCE TECH. 30:141.)

DNA introduced into plant cells mostly integrates at random, i.e. at non-predetermined positions of the genome. The biological process ultimately responsible for random integration is known as illegitimate recombination. DNA integrated at random frequently contains multiple copies and often copies are scrambled. Multiple copies also often induce gene silencing and hence instability in the expression of the introduced genes. In addition, the DNA integrates at loci of unknown stability and capacity for expression and randomly integrated copies may induce unpredictable and undesirable mutations in the host genome…Although our understanding of the general biology of recombination in plants is constantly improving, we still lack the knowledge for precision engineering of plants’ genes and thus GM engineering may present one of the biggest threats to human health and the environment.

About the Author

Natasha Longo has a master’s degree in nutrition and is a certified fitness and nutritional counselor. She has consulted on public health policy and procurement in Canada, Australia, Spain, Ireland, England and Germany.

Sources: 
plosone.org
nature.com
preventdisease.com
nlm.nih.gov

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