An Italian study found that Monsanto's NK603 genetically-modified (GM) corn causes serious organ damage and tumors in mammals. This reports issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has discovered that most GMOs in commercial use today contain a hidden viral gene that appears to be unsafe for human consumption. The study was entitled Possible consequences of the overlap between the CaMV 35S promoter regions in plant transformation vectors used and the viral gene VI in transgenic plants. The report highlights that fact that 54 of the 86 GMO traits currently approved for use, or roughly 63 percent, contain a strange viral gene known as "Gene VI" that researchers have found alters the normal function of crops. This alteration is present in most of the widely-grown GMOs in commercial use today, including both NK603 and MON810 corn, as well as Roundup-Ready soybeans, all of which are produced by Monsanto. The gene can induce unintended phenotypic changes, which can involve serious physical and biochemical mutations, in organisms. Based on earlier research involving the link between viral genes and plant and human health, the new discovery raises serious concerns about the safety of many GMOs in commercial production today. ubAlert