Analysis
This experiment tested the composition and nutritional value of the genetically modified,
glufosinate herbicide-tolerant rice grain known as LL62 (Liberty Link) in comparison to a nearisogenic rice grain and a commercial rice grain. Half of the genetically modified rice was
produced in a field treated with glufosinate herbicide, while the other half was untreated. Data
was collected from the four different grains of rice fed to growing-finishing swine of similar
initial body weights in their rice-soybean diets; the diets were composed of the same substances,
differing only in the type of rice included.
Each grain of rice was found to be composed of the same substances: DM, CP, crude fat,
crude fiber, NDF, ADF, lignin, nitrogen free extract, Ash, calcium, phosphorus, GE, and a
number of amino acids (arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine,
phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine). The percent concentrations of each
component in the four different rice grains were measured for comparison. The components were
found in relatively the same percent compositions in each of the four different rice grains. The
calculated percentages different between grains for each component by tenths or hundredths of a
percent for the majority of the substances tested. The percent composition of DM in the untreated
GM rice was 1.1% less than in the commercial rice. The percent composition of CP in the
untreated GM rice was 1.1% greater than in the commercial rice. Neither of these percent
differences is large enough to cause a harmful effect when consumed. The percent concentration
of nitrogen free extract in the treated GM rice, untreated GM rice, near-isogenic rice and
commercial rice was 72.8%, 71.0%, 73.2%, and 75.4% respectively. The concentrations of this
substance in the various grains were noticeably different, reaching a 4.4% difference between the
highest and lowest percentage. It is likely that although the percent concentration in this case was
of a greater variety in the four rice grains, it would not have presented itself as a harmful effect
because the differences were still slight and all other components were highly consistent.
The growing-finishing swine tested in this experiment began with similar initial weights
and were fed equal amounts of feed. Four different diets were prepared, each including a
different grain of rice, but otherwise contained the same substances. The average initial body
weight of the swine fed treated GM rice, untreated GM rice, near-isogenic rice, and commercial
rice were 24.7 kg, 25.0 kg, 24.7 kg, and 25.1 kg respectively. Hence, the average initial body
weights varied by less than 0.5 kg, providing for accurate comparison. The average final body
weight of the swine fed treated GM rice, untreated GM rice, near-isogenic rice, and commercial
rice were 109.1 kg, 102.2 kg, 103.7 kg, and 108.1 kg respectively. This data does display a
variety of weight gain by swine fed different diets; the difference between the highest and lowest
final body weight is 6.9 kg. By subtracting the average initial body weights from the average
final body weights of the swine, the average weight gain of swine fed the treated GM rice,
untreated GM rice, near-isogenic rice, and commercial rice was 84.4 kg, 80.2 kg, 79.0 kg, and
83.0 kg. The difference in weight gain varies by no more than 5 kg between the four diets. The
treated GM rice and commercial rice resulted in greater weight gains, while the untreated GM
rice and near-isogenic rice resulted in less weight gain in the swine. Though the weight gain was
not consistent between the four different rice grains, the results do not appear to vary by enough
kg to cause a significant problem in the growing-finishing swine. In conclusion, claim that the
resulting differences could have occurred by chance or due to different rates of chemical
processes in the swine.