Historic changes in human
health and crop production in
the 21st century: reacting to
symptoms or correcting the
cause.
Christopher Kniffen
Research and Development Specialist
Soil Works LLC.
Human Microbiome Project (HMP)
• The HMP aims to characterize the microbial
communities found at several different sites on
the human body, and to analyze the role of these
microbes in human health and disease.
• The HMP found that the human gut on average
contains 100 trillion bacteria.
• Bacteria are needed to digest food, to synthesize
certain vitamins, and to compete with diseasecausing bacteria
http://commonfund.nih.gov/hmp/
• Microorganisms in the human gastrointestinal
tract form an intricate ecosystem affecting body
weight, energy, and nutrition.
• The ideal ratio of beneficial to pathogenic
bacteria in your gut is
– 85% good bacteria
– 15% bad bacteria
• An imbalance in bacterial populations decreases
your bodies natural immune system.
Nutr Clin Pract. 2012 Apr;27(2):201-14. doi: 10.1177/0884533611436116. Epub 2012 Feb 24.
Since 1992, Inflammatory Bowel Disease has
increased 40%
– The main form of IBD is Crohn’s disease.
Symptoms of Crohn’s include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Rectal bleeding
Sever internal cramps/muscle spasms in the pelvis
Weight loss
Cosnes, J., Gower-Rousseau, C., Seksik, P., and Cortot, A. 2011. Epidemiology and Natural History of Inflammatory
Bowel Diseases. Gastroenterology 140, 1785-1794.
Gastrointestinal Infections: Age-Adjusted Rates of
Death in the United States, 1979–2004
Vital Statistics of the United States
• On February 1, 2012, researchers at the Pre-&
Probiotics conference reported that worldwide
probiotic sales are expected to increase from
$2.7 billion in 2011
$4 billion in 2016.
That’s a 48% increase.
• The United States is showing the fastest growth
of probiotic sales, with the industry bringing in
$140 million in 2011.
“Probiotics Market By Products (Functional Foods, Dietary Supplements, Specialty Nutrients, Animal Feed), Applications (Regular,
Therapeutic, Preventive Health Care) And Ingredients (Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Yeast) – Global Trends & Forecasts To 2017”.
So…… If we have 100 trillion bacteria in our gut,
then why are we needing probiotics?
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
• In 1995 the US received marketing approval for
the following transgenic crops:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Canola with modified oil composition (Calgene)
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn/maize (Ciba-Geigy)
Cotton resistant to the herbicide bromoxynil (Calgene)
Bt cotton (Monsanto)
Bt potatoes (Monsanto)
Soybeans resistant to the herbicide glyphosate
(Monsanto)
– Virus-resistant squash (Asgrow)
– Delayed ripening tomatoes (DNAP, Zeneca/Peto, and
Monsanto)
James, C. and A.F. Krattiger. 1996. Global Review of the Field Testing and Commercialization of Transgenic Plants, 1986 to 1995: The
First Decade of Crop Biotechnology. ISAAA Briefs No. 1. ISAAA: Ithaca, NY. pp. 31.
Transgenic or Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are
crops that have had a foreign gene inserted into their DNA.
• In NON-GMO plants, the production of the EPSPS gene is stopped
by chemical herbicides. This results in a decrease in the NONGMO plants immunity to pathogenic diseases, which ultimately,
causes death to all NON-GMO plants.
• In GMO plants, this foreign gene allows the plant to compensate
for discontinued production of the EPSPS gene caused by
herbicides.
• In the GMO crop, the inserted gene allows chemical pesticides
and herbicides to be applied without detriment to the plants
immune system.
• For the grower this means they have to spend less time and effort
on weed control while still producing high yields…….its an easy
choice right?
Steinrucken HC, Amrhein N The herbicide glyphosate is a potent inhibitor of 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimic acid-3-phosphate synthase. Biochem
Biophys Res Commun, 1980, 94, 1207-1212.
• In 2007, glyphosate (Roundup) was the most
common herbicide used in the agricultural
sector.
• Glyphosate use rose 1500% from 1994 to
2005.
• 100 million pounds of glyphosate is used
every year on more than a billion acres.
United States EPA 2007 Pesticide Market Estimates Agriculture, Home and Garden
“Food herbicide residues set to rise as much as 150 times”, Press Release, GM Freeze, 8 February 2012,
http://www.gmfreeze.org/news-releases/180/
Cherry B. GM crops increase herbicide use in the United States. Science in Society 45, 44-46, 2010
But, the manufacturer promotes that glyphosate
is “completely safe for the environment.”
So safe you can drink it!
• In 1991, the Peer Review Committee classified
glyphosate as Group E (evidence of noncarcinogenicity) based on a lack of convincing
evidence.
Patent 7771736 issued on August 10,
2010.
Glyphosate was patented as an
antimicrobial agent.
Estimated Expiration Date: August 29, 2023.
So……
Are Probiotics correcting the
cause…..or reacting to
symptoms?
If you have 100 trillion bacteria in your
stomach, and you are consuming a known
antimicrobial agent…..is there a
connection?
NON-GMO FED
GMO FED
Figure 3. Stomach shows allergic response of discoloration and
inflammation in GMO fed pig (right) compared with control (left)
Sirinathsinghji E. GM Soy Linked to Illnesses in Farm Pigs. Science in Society 55, 8-9, 2012.
Consumer Benefits:
• The 2011 Meeting of physicians found that in crop sprayed
towns in Argentina there was a reduction in the average
age and height of residents. In addition residents
experienced increased, “birth defects, mutagenesis,
miscarriages, depression and suicide, disorders of the
central nervous system and other neurological pathologies;
disabilities, spina bifida, lupus, leukemia and other types of
cancers; chloracne and other skin problems; asthma,
allergies, and other respiratory and lung-related problems;
male sterility and impotence; hormonal disruption and
other hormonal disorders; diminished childhood
development; prolonged febrile syndrome without focus;
children’s increased vulnerability to pollutants; anemia,
multiple sclerosis cerebral ischemia, death.”
• http://www.i-sis.org.uk/Pesticide_illnesses_and_GM_soya.php
• http://www.reduas.fcm.unc.edu.ar/declaration-of-2nd-meeting-ofphysicians-of-sprayed-and-fumigated-towns-and-villages/
De Roos AJ, Blair A, Rusiecki JA, Hoppin JA, Svec M, Dosemeci M, Sandler DP, Alavanja MC. Cancer incidence among
glyphosate-exposed pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study. Environ Health Perspect 2005, 113, 49-54.
Consumer Benefits:
• In doses far lower than those used in
agricultural spraying. Glyphosate has caused
birth defects in frog and chicken embryos.
Humans have the same developmental
mechanisms as frogs and chickens.
• At lower “nontoxic” concentrations of
glyphosate (1 ppm), males exhibit a
testosterone decrease by 35%
Ho MW. Roundup Kills Frogs. Science and Society 26, 14, 2005.
Sirinathsinghji EC. Glyphosate Kills Rat Testes Cells. Science in Society 54, 34-36.
Clair E, Mesnage R, Travert C, Seralini GE. A glyphosate-based herbicide induces necrosis and apoptosis in mature rat testicular cells in vitro, and
testosterone decreases at lower levels. Toxicology In Vitro 2011 Dec 19. [Epub ahead of print]
Ho MW. Lab study establishes glyphosate link to birth defects. Science in Society 48, 32-33, 2010.
At lower nontoxic concentrations of glyphosate (1 ppm), males
exhibit a testosterone decrease by 35%
mg/kg = ppm
So……
Are testosterone supplements
correcting the cause…..or
reacting to symptoms?
MONSANTO’S PLEDGE
“As an agricultural and technology company committed
to human rights, we have a unique opportunity to protect
and advance human rights. We have a responsibility to
consider not only how our business can benefit
consumers, farmers, and food processors, but how it can
protect the human rights of both Monsanto’s employees
and our business partners’ employees.”
Hugh Grant, Monsanto, Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
http://www.monsanto.com/whoweare/Pages/monsanto-pledge.aspx
Consumer Benefits:
• The 2011 Meeting of physicians found that in crop
sprayed towns in Argentina there was a reduction in
the average age and height of residents. In addition
residents experienced increased, “birth defects,
mutagenesis, miscarriages, depression and suicide,
disorders of the central nervous system and other
neurological pathologies; disabilities, spina bifida,
lupus, leukemia and other types of cancers; chloracne
and other skin problems; asthma, allergies, and other
respiratory and lung-related problems; male sterility
and impotence; hormonal disruption and other
hormonal disorders; diminished childhood
development; prolonged febrile syndrome without
focus; children’s increased vulnerability to pollutants;
anemia, multiple sclerosis cerebral ischemia, death.”
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/Pesticide_illnesses_and_GM_soya.php
http://www.reduas.fcm.unc.edu.ar/declaration-of-2nd-meeting-of-physicians-of-sprayed-and-fumigated-townsand-villages/
Who is really benefiting?
How Glyphosate Works as a broad spectrum
herbicide.
– Glyphosate inhibits the plant enzyme EPSPS in the
shikimate pathway which disrupts the production of
amino acids.
• Amino acids are the building blocks for all proteins.
– Glyphosate weakens secondary metabolism.
• Secondary metabolism is responsible for production of plant
defense compounds.
• Disruption of secondary metabolism can cause premature
cell death in the plant.
– Glyphosate does not kill the plant. It weakens the
plants immune system for pathogens to take over
Steinrucken HC, Amrhein N The herbicide glyphosate is a potent inhibitor of 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimic acid-3-phosphate synthase. Biochem
Biophys Res Commun, 1980, 94, 1207-1212.
When glyphosate is applied to sterile soil (A), it
does not kill the plant.
According to Purdue weed scientists, the actual plant assassins
are severe disease-causing organisms present in almost all soils.
Glyphosate dramatically promotes these, which in turn overrun
the weakened crops with deadly infections.
Ho MW and Cherry B. Glyphosate tolerant crops bring diseases and death. Science in Society 47. 12-15, 2010.
Glyphosate tolerant crops are engineered
to carry extra copies of the EPSPS gene.
– These GM crops are tolerant to glyphosate,
however they cannot metabolize it or get
rid of it.
– Therefore, glyphosate remains in the plant
residues of GM crops destined to become
food or animal feed.
– Glyphosate does not degrade, it can remain
in the soil for up to 25 years.
Steinrucken HC, Amrhein N The herbicide glyphosate is a potent inhibitor of 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimic acid-3-phosphate synthase.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1980, 94, 1207-1212.
Glyphosates antimicrobial properties are
increasing the occurrence and severity of plant
pathogens.
–Thirty-four plant diseases have been
reported in the scientific literature to increase in
occurrence as a result of glyphosate weederadication programs.
– Not only are these plant diseases increasing,
pesticide and herbicide use is steadily increasing
due to “super weeds” which are becoming
resistant to glyphosate.
Sirinathsinghji E. USDA Scientist Reveals All. Glyphosate Hazards to Crops, Soils, Animals and Consumer. Science in Society 53, 3639, 2012.
Sirinathsinghji E. Monsanto Defeated By Roundup Resistant Weeds. http://www.weedscience.org/In.asp, March 21st 2012.
Glyphosate is also a strong chelating agent
and was originally designed and patented
as such. Its effect and use as an herbicide
have been afterthoughts.
• Glyphosate was originally patented by Stauffer Chemicals
in the early 1960s as a descaling agent [used to remove
mineral residues inside dishwashers, vents and the like].
It was only by coincidence that it got spilled and it killed
the weeds it contacted. It was subsequently purchased
by Monsanto, and the rest is history.
Steinrucken HC, Amrhein N The herbicide glyphosate is a potent inhibitor of 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimic acid-3-phosphate synthase.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1980, 94, 1207-1212.
Chelation: to combine a metal ion
with a cation to form a ring.
Weak
Strong
• A weak chelator can increase the availability of plant
nutrients, prevent leaching and the formation of
precipitates, and decrease the toxicity of metal ions.
• A strong chelator can decrease the availability of
plant nutrients rendering them unavailable for plant
uptake. In particular,
–Copper, Iron, Zinc and Manganese
Cakmak, I, Yazici, A, Tutus, Y, and Ozturk L. Glyphosate reduced seed and leaf concentrations of calcium, magnesium, manganese,
and iron in non-glyphosate resistant soybean.
Micronutrient Functions
Copper
– An effective natural fungicide
– Vital in the synthesis of lignin
• Lignin is recognized as a partial
barrier to the penetration of
pathogens such as powdery
mildew.
– Functions as a cofactor for a
variety of oxidative enzymes
• These oxidative enzymes allow
the plant to produce autoimmune response to plant
pathogens.
Copper deficiency appears as
chlorosis of young leaves; tips
appear withered and will
eventually die.
Hopkins WG, Hüner NP. 2004. Introduction of Plant Physiology. 3rd Edition. John Willy and Sons, Inc. USA
Micronutrient Functions
Iron
– Required by plants in the
largest amounts.
– Required for the synthesis of
chlorophyll.
• Involved in photosynthesis,
nitrogen fixation, and
respiration.
– Iron deficiencies lead to a
simultaneous loss of
chlorophyll and degeneration
of chloroplast structure.
Iron deficiencies appear as
young leaves with interveinal
chlorosis and a sharp
distinction between veins and
chlorotic areas.
Hopkins WG, Hüner NP. 2004. Introduction of Plant Physiology. 3rd Edition. John Willy and Sons, Inc. USA
Micronutrient Functions
Zinc
– An activator for a large
number of enzymes.
• These enzymes drive many
metabolic reactions in the
plant.
• Growth and development
would stop if these metabolic
reactions did not take place.
– Needed in small quantities.
Zinc deficiencies are expressed
as stunted growth and middle
leaves with interveinal
chlorosis. Young and/or old
leaves become chlorotic in the
later stages of the deficiency.
Hopkins WG, Hüner NP. 2004. Introduction of Plant Physiology. 3rd Edition. John Willy and Sons, Inc. USA
Micronutrient Functions
Manganese
– Required as a cofactor for a
number of enzymes.
• Plays a critical role in the
respiratory carbon cycle.
– Best known for its role in the
oxygen evolving complex
(OEC) during photosynthesis
Manganese deficiency causes a
spotty appearance and may
cause extreme chlorosis
between the leaf veins as wells
as discoloration and
deformities in legume seeds.
Hopkins WG, Hüner NP. 2004. Introduction of Plant Physiology. 3rd Edition. John Willy and Sons, Inc. USA
Manganese, the OEC and Water Use Efficiency
compbio.ucdenver.edu
Oxygen Evolving Complex
• Responsible for the splitting (oxidation) of water
• Electrons supplied by a Mn and Ca cluster are the
catalysts for the direct solar splitting of water for
hydrogen production.
Hopkins WG, Hüner NP. 2004. Introduction of Plant Physiology. 3rd Edition. John Willy and Sons, Inc. USA
• Manganese ions are directly responsible for
the splitting of water and the plants
efficiency of water use (Water Use Efficiency).
• The availability of Manganese in the soil is
vital to the plants ability to efficiently use
water in times of stress.
Cakmak, I, Yazici, A, Tutus, Y, and Ozturk L. Glyphosate reduced seed and leaf concentrations of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and iron in nonglyphosate resistant soybean.
Zobiole LHS, Silverio de Oliveira RS Jr, Kremerb RB, Constantina J, Bonatoc CM, Muniz AS. Water use efficiency and photosynthesis of glyphosateresistant soybean as affected by glyphosate. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 20120, 97, 182-193
Zobiole LHS, Bonini EA, Oliveira RS Jr, Kremer RJ, and Ferrarese-Filho O. Glyphosate affects lignin content and amino acid production in glyphosateresistant soybean. Acta Physiologiae Plantarium 2010, 32, 831-837
Sirinathsinghji E. US drought destroys GM corn. Science in Society 56 (to appear) 2012.
So....
If you are applying glyphosate (a strong
chelator) to your crop, will your crop use
water efficiently?
During a drought, organic dramatically outperforms industrial
agriculture. Due to an increased Water Use Efficiency (WUE).
Photo and caption: Rodale Institute
Sirinathsinghji E. US drought destroys GM corn. Science in Society 56 (to appear) 2012.
And that is why we now have this…
Coming in 2013….
Are we correcting the cause….or simply
reacting to the symptom?
Take Home Message:
• Look at what has changed?
• Work to correct the cause…not the
symptom
Vertical Integration
• Describes a style of management control,
where vertically integrated companies are
united through a common owner.
• Each member of the supply chain produces a
different product or service, and the products
combine to satisfy a common need.
Relationships Among Monsanto Company, Pharmacia
Corporation, Pfizer Inc., and Solutia Inc.
Prior to Sept. 1, 1997, a corporation that was then known as
Monsanto Company (Former Monsanto) operated an
agricultural products business (the Ag Business), a
pharmaceuticals and nutrition business (the
Pharmaceuticals Business) and a chemical products business
(the Chemicals Business). Former Monsanto is today known
as Pharmacia. Pharmacia is now a wholly owned subsidiary
of Pfizer Inc., which together with its subsidiaries operates
the Pharmaceuticals Business. Today’s Monsanto includes
the operations, assets and liabilities that were previously
the Ag Business. Today’s Solutia comprises the operations,
assets and liabilities that were previously the Chemicals
Business.
“….We have a responsibility to consider not only how our business can benefit
consumers, farmers, and food processors, but how it can protect the human rights of
both Monsanto’s employees and our business partners’ employees.”
-Monsanto
http://www.monsanto.com/whoweare/Pages/monsanto-history.aspx