Scientific Journal Retracts Animal Study Linking GMOs to Mammary Tumors

The journal Food and Chemical Toxicology has announced the retraction of
a controversial study purportedly linking genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) to mammary tumors in rats. Led by University of Caen Molecular
Biology Professor Gilles-Éric Séralin, the November 2012 study garnered
public attention for reporting that female rats fed GM maize developed more
mammary tumors than a control group raised on conventional feed. After
further review, however, the journal’s editor-in-chief concluded that “both the
low number of animals in each study group and the particular strain selected”
were cause for concern.

“A more in-depth look at the raw data revealed that no definitive conclusions
can be reached with this small sample size regarding the role of either NK603
or glyphosate in regards to overall mortality or tumor incidence,” notes the
journal’s retraction statement. “Given the known high incidence of tumors in
the Sprague-Dawley rat, normal variability cannot be excluded as the cause
of the higher mortality and incidence observed in the treated groups.” See
Elsevier.com, November 28, 2013.