Genetically Modified Corn can damage liver and kidneys

Hubby e-mailed me to check out something he'd heard about. How genetically modified (GMO) corn can cause liver and kidney problems. I knew GMO wasn't a good thing, which is why most of the seeds I buy are not only heirloom but also non-GMO. The corn I chose for this year, Black Aztec (pic to right), is Native American, has been around for a really long time, and is supposed to be GMO-free. Plus it's good eating fresh and once it starts to dry, turns purple-black and can be completely dried for purple-black cornmeal. Perfect!

Back to the study. Monsanto, from what I understand, is the company that holds the "patent" or whatever for all of the genetic modification that's gone on. I think. Anyway, for just 4 and a half months, the researchers fed mice genetically modified corn to one group, and non-GMO corn to the control group. The GMO mice developed major organ toxicity, especially in the liver and kidneys. Once that happens, it's pretty much all over.

This reminds me that most farm animals and especially those raised on large "farms" are fed corn. I'm quite sure (99%) that it's genetically modified corn. After all, it's been bred to grow tall, with lots of ears of corn and to do it quickly, with little disease. Which means that could explain the mutations in the animals, and the resulting health problems in humans, especially those of us that eat corn and cook with cornmeal on a regular basis.

We found a spot on our (hopefully) new property where we can plant a second kind of corn, where the house, barn-to-be and workshop will block cross-pollination with the black aztec corn. Hubby will look at http://www.heirloomseeds.com/ and come up with something to fit our short season. Possibly Golden Bantam.

Have you given thought to the corn YOU eat?