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GLOBAL NEWS FASTING YOGI ASTOUNDS INDIA'S DEFENCE RESEARCHERS RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS SAY GM FOODS ARE HARMFUL ussian scientists have shown that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are harmful to mammals. The researchers discovered that animals that eat GM foodstuffs lose their ability to reproduce. Concerning the experiment carried out jointly by the National Association for Gene Security and the Institute of Ecological and Evolutional Problems in Russia, Dr Alexei Surov had this to say: "We selected several groups of hamsters, kept them in pairs in cells and gave them ordinary food as always. We did not add anything for one group, but the second was fed with soya that contained no GM components, the third group with some content of genetically modified organisms, and the fourth one with an increased amount of GMO. "We monitored their behaviour and how they gain weight and when they give birth to their cubs. Originally, everything went smoothly. However, we noticed quite a serious effect when we selected new pairs from their cubs and continued to feed them as before. "These pairs’ growth rate was slower and they reached their sexual maturity slowly. When we got some of their cubs, we formed the new pairs of the third generation. We failed to get cubs from these pairs, which were fed with GM foodstuffs. It was proved that these pairs lost their ability to give birth to their cubs,” Dr Surov said. Scientists discovered another surprise in third-generation hamsters involved in the experiment: hair was growing in their mouths. It's unclear why this happened, and the researchers cannot understand why a program of destruction is launched when animals eat GM foodstuffs. They say this effect can be neutralised only by stopping the feeding of these GM foods. Consequently, these scientists suggest that a ban be imposed on the use of GM foods until they can be tested for their bio-security. The results of the Russian scientists coincide with those of their colleagues from France and Austria. In one case, when a scientist proved GM maize to be harmful to mammals, France immediately banned its production and sale. The scientists who carried out the experiments say that it's too early to make far-reaching conclusions about the health hazards of GMOs. They insist there is a need to carry out comprehensive research. They suggest implementing a project, "Safety Gene Technology”, at the innovation centre Skolkovo, which is being set up near Moscow. Russian scientists are not the only ones who have warned of adverse health effects caused by consumption of genetically modified foods. Let us not forget the scientists who were fired after they discovered serious health effects in animals after feeding them GM food products. UC Berkeley's Ignacio Chapela and Arpad Pusztai, a plant genetic modification expert from Scotland's Rowett Research Institute, were commissioned to conduct the first independent studies on animals fed GM foods. Their studies showed stunted growth, impaired immune systems, bleeding stomachs, abnormal and potentially pre-cancerous cell growth in the intestines, impaired blood cell development, misshaped cell structures in the liver, pancreas and testicles, altered gene expression and cell metabolism, liver and kidney lesions, partially atrophied livers, inflamed kidneys, less- developed organs, reduced digestive enzymes, higher blood sugar, inflamed lung tissue, increased death rates and higher offspring mortality. An estimated 75 per cent of processed foods contain some form of GM ingredient. Are we willing to risk the lives of our children and grandchildren to discover that these effects are only observed in animals? (Sources: Voice of Russia, 16 April 2010; Salem-News.com, 23 April 2010) n 83-year-old Indian holy man who says he has spent seven decades without food or water has astounded a team of military doctors who studied him during a two-week observation period. Prahlad Jani spent a fortnight in a hospital in the western India state of Gujarat under constant surveillance by a team of 30 medics equipped with cameras and closed- circuit television. During the period, he neither ate nor drank and did not go to the toilet. "We still do not know how he survives," neurologist Sudhir Shah told reporters after the end of the experiment. "It is still a mystery what kind of phenomenon this is," Shah added. The long-haired and bearded yogi was sealed in a hospital in the city of Ahmedabad in a study initiated by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the state defence and military research institute. The DRDO hopes that the findings, set to be released in greater detail in several months’ time, could help soldiers survive without food and drink, assist astronauts or even save the lives of people trapped in natural disasters. During the 15-day observation, which ended on Thursday [6 May], he doctors took scans of Jani's organs, brain and blood vessels and also conducted tests on his heart, ungs and memory capacity. Other results from DNA analysis, molecular biological studies and ests on his hormones, enzymes, energy metabolism and genes will ake months to come through. "If Jani does not derive energy rom food and water, he must be doing that from energy sources around him, sunlight being one," said Shah. (Source: Physorg.com, 10 May 2010, www. physorg.com/news192690076.htm!) JUNE - JULY 2010 NEXUS ¢ 9 www.nexusmagazine.com