SOUTH AFRICA: CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE RSA (PTY) LTD, HAS ISSUED A PUBLIC NOTICE TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT ITS INTENTION TO SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR THE GENERAL RELEASE OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED MAIZE EVENT INTO THE ENVIRONMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA; ALLEGED NEWS. [1] THE APPLICATION IS FOR TC1507 x MIR162 x NK603; ALLEGED NEWS. [1] As per the notice, all interested parties should submit comments or objections, in connection with the intended release, in writing, to: the Registrar: Genetically Modified Organisms Act, Private Bag X973 Pretoria 0001, Fax No: 012 319 6298,
E-mail: GMOAppComments@dalrrd.gov.za [1]
Application
The application for the general release of genetically modified maize states that TC1507 x MIR162 x NK603 maize has been produced by conventional breeding methods between the progeny of three genetically modified maize events; namely, TC1507, MIR162 and NK603 maize; Alleged News. [1]
As a result of the three single maize event modifications, the transformation in the TC1507 x MIR162 x NK603 maize resulted in the introduction of various genes, namely: cry1F, pat, vip3Aa20, pmi and cp4 epsps; Alleged News. [1]
Expression of the Cry1F and Vip3Aa20 proteins confer protection against certain lepidopteran maize pests; Alleged News. [1]
Expression of the PAT and CP4 EPSPS proteins confer tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate herbicides, respectively (glufosinate-ammonium tolerance was introduced as a selectable marker): Alleged News. [1]
TC1507 x MIR162 x NK603 maize varieties are intended for cultivation in the maize growing regions in South Africa; Alleged News. [1]
Concerns re possible long term effects
A study by Séralini et al., researched the long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize; Alleged News. [2] Roundup is the brand name of herbicide originally produced by Monsanto, which Bayer acquired in 2018; Alleged News. [3] Monsanto patented the herbicidal use of glyphosate and derivatives in 1971; Alleged News. [3]
The genetically modified maize intended for cultivation in South Africa, would appear to be tolerant - through expression of the PAT and CP4 EPSPS - to glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate herbicides, respectively (glufosinate-ammonium was introduced as a selectable marker); Alleged News. [1] Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize thus would appear to be glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate herbicide tolerant.
NK603 genetically modified maize health effects: study
The study by Séralini et al. researched the health effects of a Roundup-tolerant NK603 genetically modified (GM) maize (from 11% in the diet), cultivated with or without Roundup application and Roundup alone (from 0.1 ppb of the full pesticide containing glyphosate and adjuvants) in drinking water, were evaluated for 2 years in rats: Alleged News. [2] There were major findings with 34 organs observed and 56 parameters analysed at 11 time points for most organs: Alleged News. [2]
Kidney deficiencies, nephropathies, tumors, liver congestion, necrosis, early death
Biochemical analysis confirmed very significant kidney deficiencies, for all treatments and for both sexes; 76% of the altered parameters were kidney-related. In treated males, liver congestion and necrosis were 2.5 to 5.5 times higher. Marked and severe nephropathies were also generally 1.3 to 2.3 times greater.
In females, all treatment groups showed a two- to threefold increase in mortality, and deaths were earlier. This difference was also evident in three male groups fed with GM (genetically modified) maize. All results were hormone- and sex-dependent, and the pathological profiles were comparable.
Females developed large mammary tumors more frequently and before controls; the pituitary was the second most disabled organ; the sex hormonal balance was modified by consumption of GM maize and Roundup treatments.
Males presented up to four times more large palpable tumors starting 600 days earlier than in the control group, in which only one tumor was noted. These results may be explained by not only the non-linear endocrine-disrupting effects of Roundup but also by the overexpression of the EPSPS transgene or other mutational effects in the GM maize and their metabolic consequences; Alleged News. [2]
Thus the results of the study reportedly showed that groups fed with Roundup-tolerant NK603 genetically modified maize developed issues such as kidney deficiencies, kidney disease (nephropathies), liver congestion and necrosis (death of body cells or tissue due to irreversible damage), increase in early death, breast tumours (mammary); Alleged News. [2]
Glufosinate-ammonium (GLA)
Glufosinate-ammonium (GLA), the active compound of a herbicide, acts by inhibiting the plant glutamine synthetase (GS) leading to a lethal accumulation of ammonia; Alleged News. [4] GS plays a pivotal role in the mammalian brain where it allows neurotransmitter glutamate recycling within astroglia; Alleged News. [4] The study by Calas et al., showed cerebral (brain) alterations after chronic exposure to GLA (glufosinate-ammonium); Alleged News. [4]
Major findings
The major findings of the study by Calas et al. is that GLA (glufosinate-ammonium), an irreversible inhibitor of GS in plants used as an herbicide, induced metabolic and texture modifications in the hippocampus (large part of the brain) as well as mild learning impairments; Alleged News. [4]
Where do the genes come from with which the maize has been genetically modified?
The donor of the pat gene appears to be a soil bacteria
The donor of the pat gene conferring tolerance to ammonium glufosinate, Streptomyces viridochromogenes strain Tu 494, is a gram-positive spore-forming soil bacterium; Alleged News. [5] So pat would appear to be a bacteria from the soil, which can form spores.
The donor of the pmi gene may be linked to Escherichia coli
The donor of the pmi gene would possibly appear to be linked to Escherichia coli, A selectable marker system for plant transformation that does not require the use of antibiotics or herbicides was developed. The selectable marker consists of the manA gene from Escherichia coli under the control of a plant promoter that encodes for phosphomannose isomerase, pmi; Alleged News. [6]
What is Escherichia coli?
Escherichia coli is a bacterium that normally lives in the intestines of people and animals. Certain types can cause a severe infection. It can lead to severe, potentially life-threatening complications; Alleged News. [7]
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a gram-negative bacillus that is a causative organism of many diarrheal illnesses, including traveller's diarrhoea and dysentery. E.coli is the most common pathogen leading to uncomplicated cystitis, and also results in other extra-intestinal illnesses, including pneumonia, bacteremia, and abdominal infections such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: Alleged News. [8]
Cry1F and Vip3Aa20. Cry1F appears to be able to kill inter alia , butterflies, moths and skippers
The Cry1F and Vip3Aa20 proteins confer protection against certain lepidopteran maize insects; Alleged News. [1] Cry1F appears to be derived from Bacillus thuringiensis; Alleged News. [9] Bacillus thuringiensis is a soil-dwelling bacterium that naturally produces a toxin that is fatal to certain herbivorous insects: Alleged News. [10] The toxin is lethal to several orders of insects, including Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths and skippers), Diptera (flies) and Coleoptera (beetles); Alleged News. [10] Thus the genetically modified maize possibly has the power to kill butterflies, moths, skippers, flies and beetles; Alleged News.
Genetically modified maize
The genetically modified maize would thus appear to the man on the street to be maize which has had bacteria from the soil - and from Escherichia coli, which is found in intestines and faeces - introduced into the plant itself. So when maize from the genetically modified plant is eaten, the purchaser possibly will also be ingesting substances which have ability of spore formation (the biological process whereby organisms create reproductive structures called spores), and possibly have history of bacteria from soil, intestines and faeces.
Concern re glyphosate as possible carcinogen
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients started suing Monsanto by the hundreds after a 2015 World Health Organization report suggest glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, might cause cancer; Alleged News. [11] The report, by WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer, said glyphosate is "probably carcinogenic to humans": Alleged News. [11]
People filed Roundup lawsuits because they claimed Monsanto's herbicide caused their non-Hodgkin lymphoma or related cancers; Alleged News. [12] Monsanto was the original manufacturer of Roundup, but Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018: Alleged News. [12]
Bayer and its subsidiary Monsanto are the primary defendants in thousands of lawsuits consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in California, claiming that the weed-killer Roundup caused cancer; Alleged News. [12]
Bayer stopped selling residential formulas with glyphosate, the former active ingredient, in 2023; Alleged News. [12] Commercial formulas with glyphosate remain available; Alleged News. [12] People who filed lawsuits say Bayer and Monsanto didn't warm the public about the cancer risks; Alleged News. [12] Injuries in Roundup lawsuits primarily involve non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer affecting white blood cells; Alleged News. [12] However, lawsuits also mention several other related cancers; Alleged News. [12]
Cancers claimed in Roundup lawsuits
Cancers claimed in Roundup lawsuits;
- anaplastic large cell lymphoma
- B-lymphoblastic lymphoma
- Burkitt lymphoma
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, mucosa-related lymphoid tissue
- Follicular lymphoma and hairy cell leukemia
- Large granular lymphocytic leukemia
- Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia)
- Mantle cell lymphoma
- Marginal zone B-cell lymphoma
- Mycosis fungoides
- Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma
- Peripheral T-cell lymphomas
- Primary central nervous system lymphoma
- Sézary syndrome
- Small lymphocytic lymphoma
- Splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma
Glyphosate is classified as possible carcinogen (cancer causing substance or agent)
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the active ingredient that most Roundup formulas used to have, glyphosate, as a "possible carcinogen" in humans; Alleged News. [12]
Although Bayer offered up to $10.9 billion to settle thousands of Roundup personal injury claims in 2020, thousands of cases are still pending; Alleged News. [12]
So far, Roundup lawsuits against Bayer and Monsanto continue to be filed, and lawyers are still representing clients; Alleged News. [bb] Some lawsuits have already been resolved as part of the 2020 $10.9 billion Roundup settlement or in trial; Alleged News. [12]
As of February 2025, there are 4,414 open Roundup lawsuit cases in federal MDL in California; Alleged News. [12]
South Africa: Supreme Court of Appeal and Monsanto
On 14 July 2014, the fifth respondent Monsanto South Africa (Pty) Ltd, (Monsanto), applied to the Executive Council for a permit for the general release of a genetically modified variety of maize, described as MON87460: Alleged News. [13]
On 7 August 2015, the appellant, the African Centre for Biodiversity NPC (ACB), a non-governmental advocacy organisation, with a focus on biosafety and agricultural biodiversity, appealed in terms of s 19 of the Act against the approval granted by the Executive Council to Monsanto for the general release of MON87460; Alleged News. [13] Monsanto submitted a response to ACB's appeal on 13 July 2016; Alleged News. [13] The Appeal Board, by a majority, dismissed the appeal on 1 September 2016, and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (the Minister) confirmed the Appeal Board's decision on 2 December 2016; Alleged News. [13]
Commercial approval for genetically modified maize with NTPII protein derived from Escherichia coli was set aside by Supreme Court of Appeal in South Africa
As reported on 28 October 2024, after a nine-year legal battle, a full bench of the supreme court of appeal (SCA) set aside the commercial approval of a drought-tolerant genetically modified (GM) variety of maize: Alleged News. [14] The maize which was set aside contained MON87460 which also expresses the neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) protein derived from Escherichia coli, the bacterium present in intestines and faeces); Alleged News. [14]
Previous objections against general release of three 2,4-D GM maize varieties were documented by the African Centre for Biodiversity
In April 2019, African Centre for Biodiversity documented objection against general release of three 2,4D GM (genetically modified) maize varieties; Alleged News. [15]
Summaries of key concerns inter alia were:
- The three GM varieties were shown in field trials conducted in South Africa to worsen yields when compared with non-GM counterparts; Alleged News [15]
- GM varieties are all tolerant to the toxic chemical, 2,4-D. Their approval would represent the first GM maize in South Africa to tolerant to 2,4-D. Two of the three varieties are also stacked with glyphosate-tolerance traits. Commercial release of these seeds were expected to dramatically increase pesticide application and thus human and environmental exposure; Alleged News [15]
- Increased pesticide exposure would serve to increase pesticide drift and crop damage, as well as weed resistance, providing at best, a short-term solution for weed management, while increasing damage and thus crop loss in neighbouring fields; Alleged News [15]
- Pesticide exposure will increase human exposure to 2,4-D, glyphosate and glufosinate, all of which are widely associated with serious adverse health effects, including cancers and birth defects; Alleged News. [15] While other countries are removing them from their shelves, they are now being introduced to South Africa; Alleged News. [15]
Opposition to Corteva's GM maize seed
There thus was opposition to Corteva's 2,4D GM maize seed as reported on 18 April 2019; Alleged News. [16] ACB called on Minister Mokonyane to order full EIAs; Alleged News. [16] ( This possibly refers to full Environmental Impact Assessments).
Word on the street
The word on the street is that there is concern that a genetically modified maize which specifically is resistant to glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium may require to be sprayed with the herbicides, which appear to have issues of concern, namely possible cancer-causing (carginogenic).
Further, South Africans who are lovers of butterflies, bees and insects, and rely on their pollination abilities for crops, are concerned regarding the impact Cry1F and Vip3Aa20 proteins would have on this population. Pollinators include bees, butterflies, beetles, moths, hummingbirds and bats. Genetically modified maize which may affect some of South African pollinators possibly could have negative impact on crops.
South Africans are not keen to eat food which may have faeces/intestinal derived substances in them (from Escherichia coli).
The greatest worry is that human health may be affected. In South Africa, where every breadwinner makes the difference between a family at home, or dependants and children orphaned or homeless, everyone is keen to maintain optimal health.
There has been prior opposition in South Africa to Corteva's previous GM maize seed proposals, by African Centre for Biodiversity; Alleged News. [16] There are many in South Africa who join their voice to urge for South Africans to continue sowing crops with maize seeds as God made them, which have no carcinogenic concerns.
Why not write to Corteva?
Why not write to Corteva, as the organization requested in the public notice? The details are at the top of the blog post.
[1] Public Notice: Application for the General Release of genetically modified maize: Alleged News. Published in Sowetan, Friday, 31 January 2025, Page 13
[2] National Library of Medicine. Environ Sci Eur. 2014Jun 24;26(1): 14. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-014-0014-5
Séralini et al. Republished study: long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize; Alleged News
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5044955/
[3] Wikipedia. Roundup (herbicide); Alleged News
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundup_(herbicide)
[4] Calas et al. Chronic exposure to glufosinate-ammonium induces spatial memory impairments, hippocampal MRI modifications and glutamine synthetase activation in mice; Alleged News
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18562008/
[5] V.A. Tutelyan, Editor. Genetically Modified Food Sources. Human and animal health safety assessment of genetically modified plants; Alleged News. 2013
[6] National Library of Medicine. Wright et.al. Efficient biolistic transformation of maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using the phosphomannose isomerase gene, pmi, as the selectable marker; Alleged News
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24549451/
[7] Healthline. Anne Pietrangelo. Medically reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, PhD. 2021. Everything you need to know about E.Coli infection; Alleged News
https://www.healthline.com/health/e-coli-infection
[8] StatPearls. Mueller & Tainter. 2023. Escherichia coli infection: Alleged News
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564298/
[9] EFSA Journal. Assessment of genetically modified maize 4114 for food and feed uses, under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-NL-2014-123); Alleged News
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/5280
[10] Bacillus thuringiensis; Alleged News
https://www.britannica.com/science/Bacillus-thuringiensis
[11] Bayer ordered to pay $2.25 billion after jury concludes Roundup weed killer caused a man's cancer, attorneys says: Alleged News
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/29/us/roundup-cancer-verdict-philadelphia-bayer-monsanto/index.html
[12] Roundup lawsuit; Alleged News
https://www.drugwatch.com/legal/roundup-lawsuit/
[13] SAFLII. (Southern African Legal Information Institute). African Centre for Biodiversity NPC v Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Others (934/2023) [2024] ZASCA 143 (22 October 2024); Alleged News
https://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZASCA/2024/143.html
[14] Sheree Bega. Mail & Guardian. 28 October 2024. SCA rules against Monsanto on genetically modified maize; Alleged News
https://mg.co.za/news/2024-10-28-sca-rules-against-monsanto-on-genetically-modified-maize/
[15] African Centre for Biodiversity. April 2019, Objections against general release of three 2,4-D GM maize varieties; Alleged News
[16] Fierce opposition to Corteva's 2,4-D GM maize seed: ACB calls on Minister Mokonyane to order full EIAs; Alleged News
With thanks to Sowetan, National Library of Medicine, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih,gov, Wikipedia.org, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, sciencedirect.com, healthline.com, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.books, efsa.europa.eu, britannica.com, edition.cnn.com, drugwatch.com, saflii.org, mg.co.za, acbio.org.za and modernghana.com
Image courtesy of Freepik AI generated content by CN Whittle
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