Maize NK603
 Summary of risk assessment
| Opinion of the scientific panel on genetically modified organisms (GMO Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). |
| Adopted |
25/11/2003 |
| Conclusion |
NK603 maize is as safe as conventional maize, and releasing NK603 for processing and food and feed use is unlikely to cause adverse effects on human health and the environment. |
| Comparative analysis |
| Basis of comparsion |
Conventional maize cultivars and the non-transgenic line B73 ( isogenic line). |
| Qualities of the plant |
Several parameters were compared such as field traits, pollen production, seed size, and external features. |
| Compositional analysis |
The following were investigated: the proportion and composition of carbohydrates, fibre characteristics, moisture, protein, oil content, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, vitamin E, and undesired substances such as trypsin inhibitors.
No biologically significant changes were observed. |
| Safety of food and feed |
| New protein(CP4 EPSPS) |
No correspondence with known toxins. |
| Allergenicity of the new protein |
No correspondence with known allergens (amino acid sequence comparison).
The protein is rapidly broken down by intestinal fluid. |
| Assessment for food and feed |
A 90 day feeding study was conducted on rats fed transgenic maize. Several clinical, biochemical, and histological paramters were compared with control groups that were fed conventional maize.
No negative health effects could be attributed to NK603 maize. |
| Nutritional equivalence |
Feeding studies on chickens fed a diet consisting of NK603 maize flour did not report negative effects. |
| Enviromental safety |
| Survivability |
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 (1998), Europe (1999), France, and Italy. |
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