EFSA Opinion: once again, no safety risk for GM maize MON863
(7 April 2010) Additional authorisations of food and
feed products derived from genetically modified maize can be expected in the EU.
According to an opinion recently published by EFSA, there is no scientifically
based concern for safety – that also applies to MON863 which has been the
subject of much controversy over the past two years.
Following conclusion of the risk assessment carried out by the GMO Panel of the
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), it can be expected that the EU Commission
will be preparing relevant authorisation decisions. Should it happen – as is
often the case – that the Council of Ministers reaches no qualified majority of
Member States for or against an authorisation, the EU Commission will step in as
provided for by European legislation, implement its recommendations and grant
authorisation.
Up for authorisation are food and feed products derived from maize MON89034 x
MON88017, a cross of two varieties of genetically modified maize which create a
total of three types of Bt protein. This makes the maize plants resistant to
various pests, including the larvae of the European corn borer and the Western
corn rootworm, a beetle. Additionally, the maize plants are tolerant of
herbicides containing glyphosate (Roundup).
Just as for products derived from MON89034 x MON88017 maize, the EFSA GMO Panel
also determined that GM maize MON863 presents no scientifically based cause for
concern. The authorisation permits only the sale of food and feed products
derived from MON863, which also creates a Bt protein against the Western corn
rootworm, but not its commercial cultivation in the EU.
MON863 products had already been authorised in the EU based on previous
legislation. Monsanto’s reapplication, submitted in accordance with current EU
biotechnology legislation, was under assessment.
The opinion delivered by EFSA’s GMO Panel shows that additional data was
requested from the applicant for the new risk assessment. This data was taken
into consideration during the assessment as well as the latest scientific
knowledge published. The EFSA experts upheld an earlier conclusion of the
results of MON863 feeding trials on mice. In 2007, French scientist Gilles-Eric
Séralini criticised Monsanto’s analysis of the feeding trials. He interpreted
the difference found in mice growth and other biological parameters not as
"natural, biological variation", but as an indication of possible health risks
posed by MON863.
EFSA and French institutes have since been repeatedly concerned with the feeding
trials and Séralini’s interpretation of them. Former results have been upheld in
the current EFSA opinion.
MON863 maize has been cultivated on a large scale primarily in the USA for the
past several years.
See also on GMO-Compass
Further information:
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