May 22, 2012 | 4:03 pm

Maize 1507x59122

Summary of risk assessment

Opinion of the scientific panel on genetically modified organisms (GMO Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Adopted 21/04/2009
Conclusion 1507x59122 maize is as safe as conventional maize, and releasing 1507x59122 for processing and food and feed use is unlikely to cause adverse effects on human health and the environment.

 

Comparative study
Basis of comparison Conventional counterpart
Qualities Several parameters were compared, e.g. grain yield, number of emerged plants, plant height.
Compositional analysis Several parameters were compared, including: nutritients (proteins content, lipids, carbohydrates), minerals and fibre compositions. No differences were observed.

Maize kernels were analysed on the basis of: various fatty acids, amino acids, minerals (i.a. calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc), vitamins (B1, B2, E, folic acid), and other metabolites. No biologically significant differences were observed.

 

Safety of food and feed
New proteins
(CRY1F+PAT, CRY34Ab1+ CRY35Ab1)		 No correspondence to known toxins.

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

Allergenicity of the new proteins The new proteins present in maize 1507x59122 have been assessed previously and it was found unlikely that they are allergenic (no correspondence with known allergens (amino acid sequence comparison).
Nutritional assessment As maize 1507x59122 has been shown to be compositionally and agronomically equivalent to conventional maize and there are no indications for unintended effects based on the preceding molecular analysis, testing of whole GM food/feed is not considered necessary.

 

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

1507x59122 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 Field trials were carried out in North America during the 2003 growing season.