June 2014

The thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of Don Wertman and do not necessarily reflect those of Seedway, LLC, GROWMARK, or the GROWMARK Board of Directors.

There is an ongoing discussion by those who object to feeding transgenically modified plants (GMO) and their seed to livestock. These feeds include, but are not limited to, grain and silage corn, roasted soybeans, soybean meal and cottonseed. For the purpose of this discussion I focus mainly on feed for dairy cows. However the research applies generally to all animals producing milk, meat or eggs.

The notion among those who object to feeding GMO feedstuffs to farm animals is that the milk, eggs or meat produced is somehow tainted by the proteins and DNA fragments utilized in creating the GMO plant. Please note the following published research:

Model Studies on the Detectability of Genetically Modified Feeds in Milk
Authors: Poms, R. E.1; Hochsteiner, W.2; Luger, K.3; Glössl, J.4; Foissy, H.5
Source: Journal of Food Protection®, Number 2, February 2003, pp. 175-340, pp. 304-310(7)
Publisher: International Association for Food Protection
Affiliations:
1: Department of Dairy Science and Bacteriology, University of Agricultural Sciences Vienna, A-1180 Vienna, Austria; Federal Dairy Institute Wolfpassing, A-3261 Steinakirchen am Forst, Austria
2: 2nd Medical Clinic for Ruminants and Swine University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
3: Federal Dairy Institute Wolfpassing, A-3261 Steinakirchen am Forst, Austria
4: Center for Applied Genetics, University of Agricultural Sciences Vienna, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
5: Department of Dairy Science and Bacteriology, University of Agricultural Sciences Vienna, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
Publication date: February 1, 2003

Abstract in full

Excerpts from the abstract:

“In general, genetic modifications [in plants]* are detectable by phenotypic traits (such as color, size, etc.) or by analyzing the expressed protein or the introduced DNA fragment (e.g., herbicide or insect resistance). With feeding experiments, it could be demonstrated that a marker DNA transfer from feeds into milk was NOT detectable.”

‘It is also important to note that no statistical differences (degradation mechanisms, digestibility, nutrition factors, etc.) have been reported between recombinant [transgenic mechanism of gene transfer between species: GMO]* and conventional [non-GMO]* types of forage plants such as maize [corn] and soya beans”

Study Summary:

“The present study shows that dietary DNA is degraded rapidly and rather effectively in the liver or by the macrophages of dairy cows, which results in a fast elimination of marker DNA in the blood. So far, it is not possible to detect a scientific DNA transfer from transgenic [GMO]* feeds into milk.”

The study indicates that the proteins and DNA fragments transgenically introduced into plants to produce the desired effects are not detectable in the milk produced by dairy cows when fed GMO feedstuffs, nor are they detectable in the meat produced by bovines. We deduce from this and many other similar studies that cow’s milk and all processed or manufactured products produced from milk are GMO free (unless GMO products such as sugar or certain yeasts are introduced into the processing.)

Transgenic feedstuffs-primarily corn silage, corn meal, roasted soybean and soybean meal has been fed to many generations of cows in dairy herds for over twenty years. National Dairy Herd Statistics indicate a significant increase in milk production per cow during this period as well as overall improved herd health (quality feed/nutrition are major contributing factors).

Another interesting study and summary entitled GMOs in animal agriculture: “ Time to consider both the costs and benefits in regulatory evaluations” by Alison L. Van Eennennaam published in the 2013 Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology states in the Abstract:

“Over one hundred regulatory submissions have shown compositional equivalence, and comparable levels of safety, between GE [genetically enhanced]* and their conventional counterparts.” Also, ”Both regulatory studies and peer reviewed studies have shown that GE crops can be safely used in animal feed , and rDNA fragments have never been detected in products (e.g. milk, meat, eggs) derived from animals that consumed GE feed.”

While there are movements to encourage a significant segment of the dairy and livestock industry to implement rigid documentation and traceability systems for providing (non-GMO) feedstuffs for cows so that the milk and products of milk processed or used in food manufacture can claim to be GMO free,( same can be said for beef animals, chickens and eggs) one must question the necessity for these systems (based on scientific studies) as well as economic consequences (anticipated higher food costs to the consumer) and plausibility of these systems for commercial dairy, egg and meat producers.

At the end of the day chickens, beef animals and cows appear to be the friend of those advocating GMO-free food. These animals agnostically eat GMO, conventional, or non-GMO feed and produce milk, meat and eggs in which science finds no traces of GMO. Should we not celebrate these animals for providing all of us, including that segment of the food industry and certain consumers (preferring non-GMO), with nutritious food without requiring the challenges posed by the expensive documentation and cumbersome recordkeeping associated with proposed validation processes not to speak of the production handicaps imposed on farmers to use non-GMO seed.

We must consider the cost of production and negative environmental impact of returning to the production of non–GMO crops. In truth we would be turning the clock back decades in terms of requiring increased application of insecticides and herbicides to grow non-GMO crops. Also, antiquated intensive tillage methods (leading to soil erosion and water pollution) to control weeds and the rotational requirements to control insects will require more acres to produce the same amount of feed producers need to maintain their current levels of production. USDA statistics clearly indicate a rapid rise in national production per acre of corn and soybeans during the last twenty years—the same period during which the adoption of GMO planting seed has risen to nearly 90% of the production acres of corn and soybeans in the US.

This situation should be evaluated with open eyes and open minds. US agriculture productivity is the envy of the world. Scientific advancements coupled with the inherent entrepreneurial capability of the US farmer along with food safety and environmental standards overseen by FDA, EPA, and USDA have provided not only Americans but many others around the world with a safe and reliable food supply at relatively low cost (compared to numerous other nations). Let’s remember that the relative affluence of our society enables this discussion. Under nourished segments of the population in this country and around the world would be thankful for the abundance of high quality safe food as consumed by most Americans. Let’s work together to solve the problems of world hunger and nutrition for those less fortunate. GMO crops are an important contributor in addressing and potentially solving these challenges. To think otherwise is to ignore scientific reality and perhaps to look for solutions to problems which really don’t exist.

*[ ] clarifying inserts by DPW