September,1999 Nature Biotechnology journal has favorably reported on the Roundup Ready soybean research conducted by the Center of Ethics and Toxics (CETOS).

Mr. Eric Niiler, author of an article titled, "Monsanto Remains a Magnet for GM Opposition," states;  Lappé, Director of the Center for Ethics and Toxics, and co-author Kenneth Setchell, professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, compared two varieties of GM soybeans and their isogenic conventional counterparts and found that the GM version produced 12-14% lower amounts of certain isoflavones.  Some research suggests that soybean isoflavones may help prevent some cancers, lower cholesterol, increase protection against osteoporosis, and relieve symptoms of menopause..."

Some soy experts including Dr. Don Bullock and Dr. Clare Hasler stated the levels of variation found were well within the limits expected between soybean varieties.  Dr. Hasler says, "isoflavone amounts in soybeans can vary as much as 300 percent or more."  Dr. Bullock added that soybeans vary in levels of phytoestrogens because of environmental factors, "such as weather during the growing season and even the slope of the field where the soybeans are grown".

In the current Nature Biotechnology article, Mr. Sheldon Hendler, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Medicinal Foods and associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California at San Diego, says Lappé's study was peer-reviewed by other scientists in the field and found to be sound. "In general, the comments were that it should be published.  So, we modified and published it," Hendler says. "It is important that the whole issue of genetic modification is not swept under the carpet.  People need to explore it."

Resources and References:
For a complete copy of the Nature Biotechnology article, see:

http://biotech.nature.com/
(Volume 17, September 1999, 848)

To obtain a copy of the Roundup Ready Soybean Research...

Lappé, Marc., E. Britt Bailey, Chandra Childress, Kenneth D.R. Setchell, "Alterations in Clinically Important Phytoestrogens in Genetically Modified, Herbicide-Tolerant Soybeans," Journal of Medicinal Food, (Vol 1., no. 4) July, 1999.