Animals Not Affected by Biotech Feed

May 22, 2001

Study results from 23 research experiments conducted at universities throughout in three countries show biotech corn and soybeans used in animal feed have little or no effect on the animals fed the biotech crops.

Jimmy Clark, a professor of ruminant nutrition in animal sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, reviewed the results from the research experiences which were conducted over the past four years at universities throughout the United States, Germany and France. In each study, separate groups of chickens, dairy cows, beef cattle and sheep were fed either biotech corn or soybeans or traditional corn or soybeans as a portion of their diet.

"Each experiment independently confirmed that there is no significant difference in the animals' ability to digest the biotech crops and no significant difference in weight gain, mil production, milk composition and overall health of the animals when compared to animals fed the traditional crops," said Tracy Snider, manager, livestock information and programs for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). "Clark concluded that, based on safety analyses required for each crop, human consumption of milk, meat and eggs produced from animals fed genetically modified crops should be as safe as products derived from animals fed conventional crops."

Snider noted that approximately 80% of the biotech corn produced in the United States is used as animal feed. "Since these genetically modified crops were grown beginning in 1996, they have been fed to livestock, and no detrimental effects have been reported," she said.

Fred Yoder, Plain City, OH, farmer and chairman of the NCGA Biotech Working Group said the research supports what NCGA has been saying all along. "For a number of years, we've supported consumption of biotech crops as feed because there is no evidence that the animals that eat those crops are affected in any way," Yoder said. "In fact, most of the research we've seen indicates any biotech traits are broken down in the animal's gut."