Mar 15, 2010 | 6:14 am

Carnation Moonlite

Summary of risk assessment
 

Opinion of the scientific panel on genetically modified organisms (GMO Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Adopted 17/05/2006
Conclusion Carnations of the line Moonlite are as safe as conventional carnations. Negative impacts on human and animal health, or on the environment, are unlikely through the intended use.

 

Comparative study
Basis of comparison Conventional counterpart (isogenic line)
Qualities Several parameters were compared such as field traits, external features, flavour, size of the flower.

 

 

Safety of the product
New proteins
DFR, BP40		 A 40 day feeding study on mice: no evidence of acute toxicity.

No accordance to known toxicological substances.

Allergenicity of the new protein The protein is not homologous to known protein toxins (comparision of the sequence of amino data).

 

Enviromental safety
Survivebility Carnations are biennial or perennial. Carnation Moonaqua cut stems and flowers have marginal viability, negligible pollen production and little or no viable seed.
Outcrossing The carnation (Dyanthus caryophyllis) occurs in the mediterranean area as a wild flower. After five to six weeks, carnations produce fertile pollen which is transported mostly by insects. It is unlikely that GM carnations cross out during their life-time, since the usual life expectancy of cut flowers is three weeks.

Carnations of the line Moonlite show no distinctive environmental behaviour (out-crossing, weed development, wildness) when compared with conventional varieties.

Non-target-organisms No impact on beneficial animals has been found.