Nov 20, 2008 | 10:40 pm

Maize 1507

Summary of risk assessment
 

Opinion of the scientific panel on genetically modified organisms (GMO Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Adopted 19/01/2005
Conclusion 1507 maize is as safe as conventional maize, and releasing 1507 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 the non-transgenic line Mycogen 7250 (isogenic line)
Qualities Several parameters were compared such as field traits, pollen production, seed size, and external features.
Compositional analysis The following were investigated: nutrients (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates), minerals, 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, and zinc), vitamins (B1, B2, folic acid), and other metabolites. No biologically significant differences were observed.

 

Safety of food and feed
New proteins
(CRY1F+PAT)		 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(s) 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 90°C).
Assessment for food and feed A 42 day feeding study was conducted on chickens. Factors such as mortality, bodyweight, and feeding were observed:
No statistically 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.

 

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

1507 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.
Non-target organisms Field studies have shown that negative effects of 1507 maize on non-target organisms are no greater than with conventional maize.

No negative effects were observed on bees fed with GM maize pollen.

Development of resistance by the European corn borer Bt-Toxin is effective against the European corn borer. Until now, no animals have developed resistance to Bt-toxin. Even laboratory tests were not able to produce Bt resistant inscets. Nonetheless, Bt crops will be monitored for the development of Bt resistant pests (monitoring). If a Bt resistant population of European corn borers were to develop, the Bt management strategy would no longer be effective.

An appropriate resistant management strategy(refuges) should prevent the spread of resistant European corn borer poppuations.

Bt-toxin in the environment The stability of Bt-toxin in soil was studied. Tests showed that the toxin remains dectable after up to 28 months. If Bt maize is planted, assessors have recommended long term observations on the long-term effects of Bt-toxin in the soil, and what this means for soil fauna and microorganisms.

All studies conducted to date have suggested that Bt-toxin is harmless to soil-borne animals (earwigs, nematodes, earthworms) and microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and algae).

Field trails Assessment of field trials in the US: 1999; France, Italy, and Bulgaria: 2000; and Spain: 2002.