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Science Forum Index » Agriculture Forum » Study raises doubt about allergy to genetic corn
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| David Kendra |
 Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 11:56 pm |
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Study raises doubt about allergy to genetic corn
November 10, 2003
New York Times
Andrew Pollack
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/10/business/10cornxx.html
Three years ago, genetically engineered StarLink corn was, according to this
story, found in taco shells and other foods, even though it had not been
approved for human consumption.
The story recalls that the discovery prompted food recalls and disrupted
farm exports. Dozens of consumers claimed they had suffered potentially
dangerous allergic reactions after eating food thought to contain the corn.
But, the story says, a paper appearing today in the Journal of Allergy and
Clinical Immunology reports that one vocal consumer who complained about
allergic reactions turns out not to have been allergic to StarLink corn
after all.
The report casts further doubt on whether StarLink caused allergies, and it
is likely to buttress contentions long made by biotechnology supporters that
the dangers of StarLink were overblown.
The journal article discusses the allergy testing of a 58-year-old man at
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center who had complained of at least
three allergic reactions to StarLink. The paper does not identify the man,
and the authors declined to comment, citing medical confidentiality. But
Keith A. Finger, a Florida optometrist, was cited as saying in an interview
that he was the subject and that he had asked to be tested.
The story explains that Dr. Finger, along with two others, sued the
developer of StarLink and some food companies, winning a settlement in which
the companies pledged to provide $6 million worth of food discount coupons.
Dr. Finger said he received $10,000 because of the suit.
In the test, the subject was given StarLink corn, other corn and a placebo
on different days, without him or the doctors knowing which was which. There
was no sign of an allergic reaction on any day.
Dr. Marc E. Rothenberg, a professor and allergy expert at the medical center
and an author of the report, was quoted as saying the test is the "gold
standard" of food allergy testing and that the new evidence "supports the
view that there was no problem in terms of allergy," although he said it
would be better to test more people. |
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