May 22, 2012 | 3:55 pm

Maize GA21

Summary of risk assessment
 

Opinion of the scientific panel on genetically modified organisms (GMO Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Adopted 13/09/2007
Conclusion GA21 maize is as safe as conventional maize, and releasing GA21 for processing and food and feed use is unlikely to cause adverse effects on human health and the environment.

 

Comparative analysis
Basis of comparison Several conventional cultivars and non-transgenic lines (near isogenic lines)
Qualities Several parameters were compared such as different field traits and external features.
Compositional analysis The following were investigated: nutrients (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins), and fibre composition. No differences between the GM maize and its conventional counterpart were observed.

Maize kernels were analysed on the basis of: various fatty acids, amino acids, minerals (calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium, and zinc), vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6 folic acid, vitamin E and ß-carotins), and other metabolites. No biologically significant differences were observed.

 

Safety of food and feed
New protein
(mEPSPS)		 No correspondence to known toxins.

Toxicity tests were conducted on mice: No negative health effects resulting from the novel proteins were observed.

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

Both new proteins were rapidly broken down in an artificial digestion system.

Stability during processing The newly introduced protein loses its activity when GM maize is processed (heating to 65°C and more).
Assessment for food and feed A 49 day feeding study was conducted on broiler chickens. Factors such as mortality, bodyweight, and feed conversion were observed:
No biologically significant differences were found between test groups fed GM maize and control groups fed conventional maize.

In addition, two 28 day feeding studies were conducted on dairy cows investigating their physiology, milk production, and milk quality:
No significant differences were found between test and control groups. Kernels from maize GA21 are nutritionally equivalent to kernels from the non GM comparator and commercial maize.

 

Enviromental safety
Survivebility Maize is highly domesticated and is not viable outside of cultivation.

GA21 maize does not interact with the environment any differently than its conventional counterpart. (out-crossing, escaping cultivation)

Out-crossing Maize has no cross.compatible wild relatives in Europe. Out-crossingis only possible with maize plants on neighboring fields.
Field trails Assessment of field trials in the US: 1996, 1997, 2004, 2005; Italy, and Spain: 1997.