Feb 11, 2012 | 8:02 pm

Maize MON863x MON810 x NK603

Summary of risk assessment
 

Opinion of the scientific panel on genetically modified organisms (GMO Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Adopted 6/07/2005
Conclusion MON863xMON810xNK603 maize is as safe as conventional maize, and releasing MON863xMON810xNK603 is unlikely to cause adverse effects on human health and the environment.

 

Comparative analysis
Basis of comparison Five conventional maize cultviars and the non-transgenic line DKC46-26 (isogenic line)
Qualities Several parameters were compared including agronomic traits, pollen production, seed size, and external features.
Compositional analysis Levels of macro- and micronutrients (e.g. phosphorus content and trace elements) and metabolites were measured:

Comparitive studies were conducted for the invidual source lines (MON863, MON810, NK603) as well as for the resulting hybrid:
No significant differences were obserevd between the GM maize plants and the non-transgenic control groups.

 

Safety of food and feed
New proteins
(CRY1A(b)+CRY3Bb+     EPSPS		 No correspondence with known toxins.
Allergenicity of the new protein(s) There is no correspondence between the three newly introduced proteins and known allergens. (amino acid sequence comparison)

There are no known cases of allergies to maize or to the newly introduced proteins. Therefore, it is considered highly unlikely that this GM maize could cause allergies.

The proteins are rapidly broken down in the presence of pepsin in intestinal fluid.

Assessment for food and feed Ninety day feeding studies were conducted on rats for each of the three derivitave lines (GM maize MON810, MON863, NK603)
No signs of acute toxicity were observed.

An additional 90 day feeding study was conducted, in which rats were fed the hybrid GM maize. Several factors were compared including weight, feeding, blood readings, and urine samples. No significant differences between the two groups were observed.

Nutritional equivalence Feeding studies on chickens investigated the effect of GM maize on bodyweight, feeding, and mortality rate. No biologically significant differences were observed.

 

Enviromental safety
Survivebility Maize is highly domesticated and is not viable outside of cultivation.
Out-crossing Maize has no cross-compatible wild relatives in Europe. Out-crossingis only possible with maize in neighbouring fields.
Field trails Field trials in Argentina 2002-2003