Assessment of the food safety issues related to genetically modified foods

International consensus has been reached on the principles regarding evaluation of the food safety of genetically modified plants. The concept of substantial equivalence has been developed as part of a safety evaluation framework, based on the idea that existing foods can serve as a basis for comparing the properties of genetically modified foods with the appropriate counterpart. Application of the concept is not a safety assessment per se, but helps to identify similarities and differences between the existing food and the new product, which are then subject to further toxicological investigation. Substantial equivalence is a starting point in the safety evaluation, rather than an endpoint of the assessment. Consensus on practical application of the principle should be further elaborated. Experiences with the safety testing of newly inserted proteins and of whole genetically modified foods are reviewed, and limitations of current test methodologies are discussed. The development and validation of new profiling methods such as DNA microarray technology, proteomics, and metabolomics for the identification and characterization of unintended effects, which may occur as a result of the genetic modification, is recommended. The assessment of the allergenicity of newly inserted proteins and of marker genes is discussed. An issue that will gain importance in the near future is that of post-marketing surveillance of the foods derived from genetically modified crops. It is concluded, among others that, that application of the principle of substantial equivalence has proven adequate, and that no alternative adequate safety assessment strategies are available.     

Assuring the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods: the importance of an holistic,integrative approach

Genes change continuously by natural mutation and recombination enabling man to select and breed crops having the most desirable traits such as yield or flavour. Genetic modification (GM) is a recent development which allows specific genes to be identified, isolated, copied and inserted into other plants with a high level of specificity. The food safety considerations for GM crops are basically the same as those arising from conventionally bred crops, very few of which have been subject to any testing yet are generally regarded as being safe to eat. In contrast a rigorous safety testing paradigm has been developed for GM crops, which utilises a systematic, stepwise and holistic approach. The resultant science based process, focuses on a classical evaluation of the toxic potential of the introduced novel trait and the wholesomeness of the transformed crop. In addition, detailed consideration is given to the history and safe use of the parent crop as well as that of the gene donor. The overall safety evaluation is conducted under the concept known as substantial equivalence which is enshrined in all international crop biotechnology guidelines. This provides the framework for a comparative approach to identify the similarities and differences between the GM product and its comparator which has a known history of safe use. By building a detailed profile on each step in the transformation process, from parent to new crop, and by thoroughly evaluating the significance from a safety perspective, of any differences that may be detected, a very comprehensive matrix of information is constructed which enables the conclusion as to whether the GM crop, derived food or feed is as safe as its traditional counterpart. Using this approach in the evaluation of more than 50 GM crops which have been approved worldwide, the conclusion has been that foods and feeds derived from genetically modified crops are as safe and nutritious as those derived from traditional crops. The lack of any adverse effects resulting from the production and consumption of GM crops grown on more than 300 million cumulative acres over the last 5 years supports these safety conclusions.     

Molecular characterization for food safety assessment of a genetically modified late blight resistant potato: an unusual case

Standard food safety assessments of genetically modified crops require a thorough molecular characterization of the novel DNA as inserted into the plant that is intended for commercialization, as well as a comparison of agronomic and nutritional characteristics of the genetically modified to the non-modified counterpart. These characterization data are used to identify any unintended changes in the inserted DNA or in the modified plant that would require assessment for safety in addition to the assessment of the intended modification. An unusual case of an unintended effect discovered from the molecular characterization of a genetically modified late blight resistant potato developed for growing in Bangladesh and Indonesia is presented here. Not only was a significant portion of the plasmid vector backbone DNA inserted into the plant along with the intended insertion of an R-gene for late blight resistance, but the inserted DNA was split into two separate fragments and inserted into two separate chromosomes. One fragment carries the R-gene and the other fragment carries the NPTII selectable marker gene and the plasmid backbone DNA. The implications of this for the food safety assessment of this late blight resistant potato are considered.

     

Animal nutrition with feeds from genetically modified plants

Plant breeders have made and will continue to make important contributions toward meeting the need for more and better feed and food. The use of new techniques to modify the genetic makeup of plants to improve their properties has led to a new generation of crops, grains and their by-products for feed. The use of ingredients and products from genetically modified plants (GMP) in animal nutrition properly raises many questions and issues, such as the role of a nutritional assessment of the modified feed or feed additive as part of safety assessment, the possible influence of genetically modified (GM) products on animal health and product quality and the persistence of the recombinant DNA and of the 'novel' protein in the digestive tract and tissues of food-producing animals. During the last few years many studies have determined the nutrient value of GM feeds compared to their conventional counterparts and some have additionally followed the fate of DNA and novel protein. The results available to date are reassuring and reveal no significant differences in the safety and nutritional value of feedstuffs containing material derived from the so-called 1st generation of genetically modified plants (those with unchanged gross composition) in comparison with non-GM varieties. In addition, no residues of recombinant DNA or novel proteins have been found in any organ or tissue samples obtained from animals fed with GMP. These results indicate that for compositionally equivalent GMP routine-feeding studies with target species generally add little to nutritional and safety assessment. However, the strategies devised for the nutritional and safety assessment of the 1st generation products will be much more difficult to apply to 2nd generation GMP in which significant changes in constituents have been deliberately introduced (e.g., increased fatty acids or amino acids content or a reduced concentration of undesirable constituents). It is suggested that studies made with animals will play a much more important role in insuring the safety of these 2nd generation constructs.     

转基因玉米的研究进展和食用安全性评价

玉米是我国重要的粮食作物和饲料作物。目前转基因技术作为生物育种技术的代表,已成为国际上育种的前沿和核心技术。世界各国利用转基因技术相继研发了具有多种优良性状的转基因玉米,创造了巨大的经济效益;同时统一、有效的监管措施是转基因玉米研发、推广和商业化的重要基础。食用安全性评价是有效监管的前提。针对转基因玉米的商业化和控制玉米重要性状基因的研究进展进行了综述,并对转基因玉米的食用安全性评价进行归纳分析,以期为我国转基因玉米的研发、管理和推广提供理论参考。     

理性认识转基因植物食品的安全性

讨论现代生物技术的几个基本概念 ,如转基因生物、基因修饰生物、重组DNA植物以及对转基因植物食品安全性评价框架 ,阐明作者对转基因植物食品安全性的理解。     

Genetically modified microbial symbionts as arthropod pest controllers: risk assessment through the European legislations

The genetic modification and applied use of microbial symbionts have been identified as novel tools to protect beneficial insects such as pollinators or parasitoids or to fight insects that constitute pests or are vectors of infectious diseases. The deliberate release of insect pest or disease vector control products containing genetically modified micro‐organisms (GMMs) can raise questions about health and environmental safety. Different national and international authorities have established legal requirements to ensure the safe use of conventional pesticides and insecticides as well as GMMs. A key requirement is to conduct a scientific risk assessment to determine whether the product is safe to be placed in the market. In this study, we address the legal framework, the regulatory requirements, and the criteria for the environmental risk assessment of GM symbionts that currently apply within the European Union.     

Review: Biosafety of E. coli β-glucuronidase (GUS) in plants

The -glucuronidase (GUS) gene is to date the most frequently used reporter gene in plants. Marketing of crops containing this gene requires prior evaluation of their biosafety. To aid such evaluations of the GUS gene, irrespective of the plant into which the gene has been introduced, the ecological and toxicological aspects of the gene and gene product have been examined. GUS activity is found in many bacterial species, is common in all tissues of vertebrates and is also present in organisms of various invertebrate taxa. The transgenic GUS originates from the enterobacterial species Escherichia coli that is widespread in the vertebrate intestine, and in soil and water ecosystems. Any GUS activity added to the ecosystem through genetically modified plants will be of no or minor influence. Selective advantages to genetically modified plants that posses and express the E. coli GUS transgene are unlikely. No increase of weediness of E. coli GUS expressing crop plants, or wild relatives that might have received the transgene through outcrossing, is expected. Since E. coli GUS naturally occurs ubiquitously in the digestive tract of consumers, its presence in food and feed from genetically modified plants is unlikely to cause any harm. E. coli GUS in genetically modified plants and their products can be regarded as safe for the environment and consumers     

Scientific perspectives on regulating the safety of genetically modified foods

Regulation is often seen as the dull end of science. The recent storm over the introduction of genetically modified foods and the calls to regulate their consumption have had a negative effect on development of the science. Assuring the safety of genetically modified foods might raise questions where existing scientific data is limited and underline the need for further research.     

转基因产品的食用安全性评价

近10年来,基因工程技术取得显著进展,不少转基因作物已进入商品化生产阶段,但由于斑蝶事件的Pusztai事件,在全世界范围内又引发了新一轮对转基因食品安全性的激烈争论,作者就目前的转基因产品食用安全性评价体系做一简要综述,为我国尽快建立转基因食品安全性评价体系提供部分依据。     

我国农业转基因生物安全管理现状

转基因技术可以打破物种界限,实现作物性状的定向改造,在解决粮食增产、环境污染、节水增效,以及改进农产品质量等方面显示出巨大潜力。同时,转基因技术具有潜在的风险,转基因生物的安全性受到人们的广泛关注。本文介绍了我国农业转基因生物安全管理状况,包括法规制度体系、安全评价体系和安全监管体系,旨在让人们更好地了解我国农业转基因生物安全管理知识。     

转基因食品安全性研究进展

转基因食品的安全性在世界范围内备受关注,近年来,已经成为公众争论的焦点。本文简要综述了转基因食品的现状和安全性,并介绍了我国政府对转基因食品的态度。此外,还对转基因食品的发展前景作了简要展望。     

Barriers to application of genetically modified lactic acid bacteria

To increase the acceptability of food products containing genetically modified microorganisms it is necessary to provide in an early stage to the consumers that the product is safe and that the product provide a clear benefit to the consumer. To comply with the first requirement a systematic approach to analyze the probability that genetically modified lactic acid bacteria will transform other inhabitants of the gastro-intestinal (G/I) tract or that these lactic acid bacteria will pick up genetic information of these inhabitants has been proposed and worked out to some degree. From this analysis it is clear that reliable data are still missing to carry out complete risk assessment. However, on the basis of present knowledge, lactic acid bacteria containing conjugative plasmids should be avoided. Various studies show that consumers in developed countries will accept these products when they offer to them health or taste benefits or a better keepability. For the developing countries the biggest challenge for scientists is most likely to make indigenous fermented food products with strongly improved microbiological stability due to broad spectra bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria. Moreover, these lactic acid bacteria may contribute to health.     

The development and standardization of testing methods for genetically modified organisms and their derived products

As the worldwide commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) increases and consumers concern the safety of GMOs, many countries and regions are issuing labeling regulations on GMOs and their products. Analytical methods and their standardization for GM ingredients in foods and feed are essential for the implementation of labeling regulations. To date, the GMO testing methods are mainly based on the inserted DNA sequences and newly produced proteins in GMOs. This paper presents an overview of GMO testing methods as well as their standardization.     

New EU legislation for risk assessment of GM food: no scientific justification for mandatory animal feeding trials

This commentary focuses on the potential added value of and need for (sub)‐chronic testing of whole genetically modified (GM) foods in rodents to assess their safety. Such routine testing should not be required since, due to apparent weaknesses in the approach, it does not add to current risk assessment of GM foods. Moreover, the demand for routine testing using animals is in conflict with the European Union (EU) Commission's efforts to reduce animal experimentation. Regulating agencies in the EU are invited to respect the sound scientific principles applied to the risk assessment of foods derived from GM plants and not to interfere in the risk assessment by introducing extra requirements based on pseudo‐scientific or political considerations.     

利用决策树方法建立转基因植物环境生物安全评价诊断平台

转基因技术及其产品是解决世界粮食问题的重要途径之一, 但是包括食品和环境安全在内的转基因生物安全评价是转基因技术及其产品商品化应用的前提和保证。现有的人为生物安全评价方法存在着一定的不足, 难以应对数量日益增加和内容日趋复杂的转基因产品的安全评价需求, 因此找寻一种客观和高效的评价方法势在必行。决策树(decision tree)方法是现今广泛使用的数据挖掘和分析的决策方法之一, 通过将需要解答问题的层层分解并分别解决, 最终得到理想的决策结果, 在处理复杂问题方面具有独特的优势。本文旨在通过介绍决策树的概念、特性、种类及其构建方法, 探索将决策树方法应用于建立转基因植物环境生物安全评价诊断平台的可行性, 并分析构建的诊断平台在高效、准确和客观地进行转基因植物环境生物安全评价, 以及对新一代转基因产品环境安全性的预测和普及环境安全知识等方面的优势, 为进一步推动转基因技术的发展和转基因产品的安全利用奠定基础。     

Environmental release of living modified organisms: current approaches and case studies

Agricultural biotechnology is being rapidly adopted as evidenced by the acreage of genetically modified (GM) crops planted and tonnes of product (grain and fiber) harvested. Concurrent with this technological progress, is a growing concern that the worlds biological diversity is coming under increasing threat from human activities. As such, ecological risk assessment approaches are being developed for GM crop plants as international agreements regulating the transboundary movements of these products are being implemented. This paper reviews the ecological risk assessment approach that has been used to date to approve GM crops to date. The process has been case-by-case, using a comparative, science-based approach balancing the potential risks and benefits of the new technology versus those present with the currently accepted practices. The approach used to evaluate and approve these products is consistent with the conditions and requirements outlined in the Cartagena Protocol.     

CpTI蛋白在大肠杆菌中的高效融合表达及其纯化与活性测定

豇豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂 (Cowpea Trypsin Inhibitor) 基因 (CpTI) 因其抗虫谱广及不易耐受等优点在植物基因工程中得到广泛应用。为进行遗传修饰食品（Genetically modified foods, GMF）中所含CpTI基因表达产物的安全性评价,我们需要在体外微生物体系中获得大量的CpTI蛋白。采用pGEX融合蛋白表达系统,将CpTI与GST的编码序列在大肠杆菌BL21中进行融合表达,表达产物达到菌体总蛋白的40%。经一步Glutathione Sephrose 4B亲和纯化,融合蛋白GSTCpTI纯度达到90％以上。将Thrombin蛋白酶与融合蛋白过夜作用,可获得切掉了GST标签的CpTI蛋白。活性测定显示GSTCpTI及CpTI蛋白均具有明显的胰蛋白酶抑制剂活性。用纯化的融合蛋白免疫家兔还可诱导产生高效价的抗体,经ELISA检测抗体滴度>1∶20000。Western Blotting 实验显示,无论是菌体超声裂解后总蛋白中的CpTI蛋白或是经纯化后的CpTI蛋白均可与自制的抗体发生特异性结合。这为进一步进行CpTI蛋白的安全性评价工作奠定了良好基础。     

Biotechnology products and European consumers

More than 100 interviews conducted during 1997 with European food manufacturers and retailers, trade associations, government departments, consumer groups, environmental organizations and some individual academic scientists revealed how differences in the perceived attitudes of consumers gave rise to varying approaches by suppliers to the possible introduction of transgenic foods. European consumers generally are not against the pharmaceutical products of biotechnology but are much less willing to accept food and food ingredients, especially when derived from genetically modified plants. Objections are mainly based on fears for the health and safety of the consumer, worries about the possibility of deleterious effects on the environment, and a range of moral and ethical concerns often deriving from a distaste, however expressed, at the concept of interfering with nature. Consumer understanding of the science underlying biotechnology is patchy; in no country does more than a small proportion of the population claim a good grasp. Partly no doubt as a consequence of these attitudes, the introduction of genetically modified foods into Europe has occurred slowly and, during the period of this study, perhaps only in the Netherlands and the UK.     

Acrylamide in food: Progress in and prospects for genetic and agronomic solutions

Acrylamide is a processing contaminant and Group 2a carcinogen that was discovered in foodstuffs in 2002. Its presence in a range of popular foods has become one of the most difficult problems facing the food industry and its supply chain. Wheat, rye and potato products are major sources of dietary acrylamide, with biscuits, breakfast cereals, bread (particularly toasted), crispbread, batter, cakes, pies, French fries, crisps and snack products all affected. Here we briefly review the history of the issue, detection methods, the levels of acrylamide in popular foods and the risk that dietary acrylamide poses to human health. The pathways for acrylamide formation from free (non‐protein) asparagine are described, including the role of reducing sugars such as glucose, fructose and maltose and the Maillard reaction. The evolving regulatory situation in the European Union and elsewhere is discussed, noting that food businesses and their suppliers must plan to comply not only with current regulations but with possible future regulatory scenarios. The main focus of the review is on the genetic and agronomic approaches being developed to reduce the acrylamide‐forming potential of potatoes and cereals and these are described in detail, including variety selection, plant breeding, biotechnology and crop management. Obvious targets for genetic interventions include asparagine synthetase genes, and the asparagine synthetase gene families of different crop species are compared. Current knowledge on crop management best practice is described, including maintaining optimum storage conditions for potatoes and ensuring sulphur sufficiency and disease control for wheat.