A recent diary drew attention to a study that claims that the genetic modifications in Round-Up Ready soy beans causes them to accumulate formaldehyde, a known carcinogen at certain levels. However, the study did notmeasure formaldehyde; it predicted it from computer simulations. Figures from the study include these:
Formaldehyde accumulation
The smoothness of the graphs is a key sign that that they show simulations, not real data; I have never in decades of experimental practice had such a flat line as the glutathione in non-GMO plants (not even "number of nuclei per cell" or "cell positive for nuclei").
Glutathione depletion
The clearest sign that these simulations fail to predict actual conditions is the GMO glutathione graph. If replacing an enzyme with another enzyme that has the same activity could truly deplete all the glutathione in the cells, then all Round-Up Ready plants would be dead. They are not.
The authors of the study could have simply measured formaldehyde levels in some GMO plants. They did not. This study is no cause for alarm.
Monsanto is an enormous corporation, in every sense of the word "enormous." There is plenty to discuss about Monsanto, but this study deserves to wither in oblivion. If you recommended the other diary please remove your recommend. Other diaries deserve the space there more.
