Mar 18, 2010 | 1:38 am

Maize MON810

Summary of risk assessment
 

Opinion of the former Scientific Commitee on Plants (SCP)
Adopted 10/02/1998
Conclusion MON810 maize is as safe as conventional maize, and releasing MON810 for processing and food and feed use is unlikely to cause adverse effects on human health and the environment.

 

Comparative analysis
Basis of comparison Conventional counterpart (isogenic line)
Compositional analysis Levels of components such as fatty acid and amino acid composition and the moisture content of kernels and silage were compared. No significant differences were observed.

 

Safety of food and feed
New protein
(CRY1A(b))		 Short term tests showed no toxicity.

Comparison with known toxins: No correspondence. 

Allergenicity of the new protein No correspondence with known allergens (amino acid sequence comparison)

The use of coventional Bt preparations is widespread. No allergic reactions to Bt toxin are known to exist.

Potential gene transfer It was determined that MON810 does not contain the nptII marker gene (kanamycin resistence). This makes the horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance genes impossible.

 

Enviromental safety
Surviveability Maize is highly domesticated and is not viable outside of cultivation.
Out-crossing Maize has no cross-compatible wild relatives in Europe. Out-crossing is only possible with maize in neighbouring fields.
Field trials Evaluation of field trails in the USA and Europe