3Qs: Considering new data on genetically modified corn
An article recently published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology shows the results of a two-year study on the health effects of a corn species produced by the agricultural giant, Monsanto. The corn is genetically modified to resist the herbicide Roundup, and pervades the U.S. agricultural system. The paper claims that mice fed a diet consisting of 11 percent of the novel corn species were two to three times more likely to develop tumors. As the first article to present evidence that genetically modified organisms can have inherent health effects, some critics have called the research methods into question. Northeastern University news office asked Chris Bosso, a professor in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, to explain the impact the new data will have on the growing discussion of genetically modified foods.