1: Pol J Vet Sci. 2008;11(4):411-4.

Current issues connected with usage of genetically modified crops in production
of feed and livestock feeding.

Kwiatek K, Mazur M, Sieradzki Z.

Department of Hygiene of Animal Feedingstuffs, National Veterinary Research
Institute in Pulawy, Al. PartyzantГіw 57, 24-100 PuЕ‚awy, Poland.
kwiatekk@piwet.pulawy.pl

Progress, which is brought by new advances in modern molecular biology, allowed
interference in the genome of live organisms and gene manipulation. Introducing
new genes to the recipient organism enables to give them new features, absent
before. Continuous increase in the area of the biotech crops triggers continuous 
discussion about safety of genetically modified (GM) crops, including food and
feed derived from them. Important issue connected with cultivation of genetically
modified crops is a horizontal gene transfer and a bacterial antibiotic
resistance. Discussion about safety of GM crops concerns also food allergies
caused by eating genetically modified food. The problem of genetic modifications 
of GM crops used for livestock feeding is widely discussed, taking into account
Polish feed law.

PMID: 19227143 [PubMed - in process]

2: Anal Bioanal Chem. 2009 Feb 19. [Epub ahead of print]

Sensitive and highly specific quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA for recording 
a potential transfer of novel DNA and Cry1Ab protein from feed into bovine milk.

Guertler P, Paul V, Albrecht C, Meyer HH.

Physiology Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Weihenstephaner Berg 3,
85350, Freising, Germany, patrick.guertler@wzw.tum.de.

To address food safety concerns of the public regarding the potential transfer of
recombinant DNA (cry1Ab) and protein (Cry1Ab) into the milk of cows fed
genetically modified maize (MON810), a highly specific and sensitive quantitative
real-time PCR (qPCR) and an ELISA were developed for monitoring suspicious
presence of novel DNA and Cry1Ab protein in bovine milk. The developed assays
were validated according to the assay validation criteria specified in the
European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The detection limit and detection
capability of the qPCR and ELISA were 100 copies of cry1Ab muL(-1) milk and 0.4
ng mL(-1) Cry1Ab, respectively. Recovery rates of 84.9% (DNA) and 97% (protein)
and low (<15%) imprecision revealed the reliable and accurate estimations. A
specific qPCR amplification and use of a specific antibody in ELISA ascertained
the high specificity of the assays. Using these assays for 90 milk samples
collected from cows fed either transgenic (n = 8) or non-transgenic (n = 7)
rations for 6 months, neither cry1Ab nor Cry1Ab protein were detected in any
analyzed sample at the assay detection limits.

PMID: 19225766 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

3: J Genet Genomics. 2009 Jan;36(1):41-9.

Index selection on seed traits under direct, cytoplasmic and maternal effects in 
multiple environments.

Zhang W, Xu H, Zhu J.

Institute of Bioinformatics, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang
University, Hangzhou 310029, China.

Crop seeds are important sources of protein, oil, and carbohydrates for food,
animal feeds, and industrial products. Recently, much attention has been paid to 
quality and functional properties of crop seeds. However, seed traits possess
some distinct genetic characteristics in comparison with plant traits, which
increase the difficulty of genetically improving these traits. In this study,
diallel analysis for seed models with genotype by environment interaction (GE)
effect was applied to estimate the variance-covariance components of seed traits.
Mixed linear model approaches were used to estimate the genetic covariances
between pair-wise seed and plant traits. The breeding values (BV) were divided
into two categories for the seed models. The first category of BV was defined as 
the combination of direct additive, cytoplasmic, and maternal additive effects,
which should be utilized for selecting stable cultivars over multi-environments. 
The three genetic effects, together with their GE interaction, were included in
the second category of BV for selecting special lines to be grown in specific
ecosystems. Accordingly, two types of selection indices for seed traits, i.e.,
general selection index and interaction selection index, were developed and
constructed on the first and the second category BV, respectively. These proposed
selection indices can be applied to solve the difficult task of simultaneously
improving multiple seed traits in various environments. Data of crop seeds with
regard to four seed traits and four yield traits based on the modified diallel
crosses in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were used as an example for
demonstrating the proposed methodology.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 19161944 [PubMed - in process]

4: Anal Chim Acta. 2009 Feb 16;634(1):75-82. Epub 2008 Dec 6.

Evaluation of stable isotope labelling strategies for the quantitation of CP4
EPSPS in genetically modified soya.

OcaГ±a MF, Fraser PD, Patel RK, Halket JM, Bramley PM.

Centre for Chemical and Bioanalytical Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of
London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK.

The introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops into the market has raised a 
general alertness relating to the control and safety of foods. The applicability 
of protein separation hyphenated to mass spectrometry to identify the bacterial
enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (CP4 EPSPS) protein expressed in GM
crops has been previously reported [M.F. Ocana, P.D. Fraser, R.K.P. Patel, J.M.
Halket, P.M. Bramley, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 21 (2007) 319.]. Herein, we
investigate the suitability of two strategies that employ heavy stable isotopes, 
i.e. AQUA and iTRAQ, to quantify different levels of CP4 EPSPS in up to four GM
preparations. Both quantification strategies showed potential to determine
whether the presence of GM material is above the limits established by the
European Union. The AQUA quantification procedure involved protein
solubilisation/fractionation and subsequent separation using SDS-PAGE. A segment 
of the gel in which the protein of interest was located was excised, the stable
isotope labeled peptide added at a known concentration and proteolytic digestion 
initiated. Following recovery of the peptides, on-line separation and detection
using LC-MS was carried out. A similar approach was used for the iTRAQ workflow
with the exception that proteins were digested in solution and generated tryptic 
peptides were chemically tagged. Both procedures demonstrated the potential for
quantitative detection at 0.5% (w/w) GM soya which is a level below the current
European Union's threshold for food-labelling. In this context, a comparison
between the two procedures is provided within the present study.

Publication Types: 
    Evaluation Studies
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 19154813 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5: Eur J Histochem. 2008 Oct-Dec;52(4):263-7.

Can a genetically-modified organism-containing diet influence embryo development?
A preliminary study on pre-implantation mouse embryos.

Cisterna B, Flach F, Vecchio L, Barabino SM, Battistelli S, Martin TE, Malatesta 
M, Biggiogera M.

Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Laboratorio di Biologia Cellulare e
Neurobiologia, ed Instituto di Genetica Molecolare del CNR, University of Pavia, 
Italy.

In eukaryotic cells, pre-mRNAs undergo several transformation steps to generate
mature mRNAs. Recent studies have demonstrated that a diet containing a
genetically modified (GM) soybean can induce modifications of nuclear
constituents involved in RNA processing in some tissues of young, adult and old
mice. On this basis, we have investigated the ultrastructural and
immunocytochemical features of pre-implantation embryos from mice fed either GM
or non- GM soybean in order to verify whether the parental diet can affect the
morpho-functional development of the embryonic ribonucleoprotein structural
constituents involved in pre-mRNA pathways. Morphological observations revealed
that the general aspect of embryo nuclear components is similar in the two
experimental groups. However, immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization
results suggest a temporary decrease of pre-mRNA transcription and splicing in
2-cell embryos and a resumption in 4-8-cell embryos from mice fed GM soybean;
moreover, pre-mRNA maturation seems to be less efficient in both 2-cell and
4-8-cell embryos from GM-fed mice than in controls. Although our results are
still preliminary and limited to the pre-implantation phases, the results of this
study encourage deepening on the effects of food components and/or contaminants
on embryo development.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 19109102 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6: Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008 Dec 7. [Epub ahead of print]

Murine models for evaluating the allergenicity of novel proteins and foods.

Aldemir H, Bars R, Herouet-Guicheney C.

University of Paris Sud XI, Faculty of Pharmacy, 5 rue J.B. ClГ©ment, 92290
ChГўtenay Malabry, France; Bayer CropScience, 355 rue DostoГЇevski, 06903
Sophia-Antipolis, France.

Genetically modified crops convey many benefits to world population. However, a
rigorous safety assessment procedure, including an evaluation of the allergenic
potential, is fundamental before their release into the food chain. As an
integral part of the safety assessment process, regulatory authorities worldwide 
strongly recommend the use of tests that can predict the allergenic potential of 
the novel proteins. All guidance documents are based on an array of tests that
have been proposed in 2003 by the Codex Alimentarius. Although the animal model
is not a requirement of the Codex Alimentarius weight of evidence approach,
allergenic hazard of novel proteins could only be evaluated by an in vivo model
that can potentially identify and distinguish commonly allergenic proteins from
rarely allergenic proteins. Therefore, food allergy experts encourage its
development. During the 2007 International Life Science Institute (ILSI) workshop
(Nice, France), worldwide experts shared their latest research results on rodent 
models to evaluate the allergenic potential of proteins and foods. This review
presents the most promising rodent models for assessing food protein
allergenicity that were evaluated during this ILSI workshop.

PMID: 19100305 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

7: Plant Cell Rep. 2009 Mar;28(3):445-55. Epub 2008 Dec 18.

Evaluation of a morphological marker selection and excision system to generate
marker-free transgenic cassava plants.

Saelim L, Phansiri S, Suksangpanomrung M, Netrphan S, Narangajavana J.

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road,
Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.

The efficacy of the ipt-type Multi-Auto-Transformation (MAT) vector system to
transform the extensively grown cassava cultivar "KU50" was evaluated. This
system utilizes the isopentenyltransferase (ipt) gene as morphological marker for
visual selection of transgenic lines. The extreme shooty phenotype (ESP) of
transgenic lines is lost due to the removal of ipt gene mediated by the yeast
Rint/RS system. As a result, phenotypically normal shoots, considered marker-free
transgenic plants, could be obtained. When transforming KU50 cassava cultivar
with two different ipt-type MAT vectors, transformation frequency at 19-21% was
observed. Among the total number of ESP explants, 32-38% regained normal extended
shoot phenotype and 88-96% of which were confirmed to represent the marker-free
transgenic plants. This is the first demonstration of the efficacy of Rint/RS
system in promoting excision of ipt marker gene in cassava specie, with the
consequent rapid production of marker-free transgenic plants. The high efficiency
of this system should facilitate pyramiding a number of transgenes by repeated
transformation without having to undergo through laborious, expensive and
time-consuming processes of sexual crossing and seed production. The generation
of marker-free, thus environmentally safe, genetically modified cassava clones
should also ease the public concerns regarding the use of transgenic cassava in
both food and nonfood industries.

PMID: 19093119 [PubMed - in process]

8: Environ Biosafety Res. 2008 Oct-Dec;7(4):241-52. Epub 2008 Dec 16.

Dispersal of viable row-crop seeds of commercial agriculture by farmland birds:
implication for genetically modified crops.

Cummings JL, Handley LW, Macbryde B, Tupper SK, Werner SJ, Byram ZJ.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort
Collins, CO 80521, USA. john.1.cummings@aphis.usda.gov

To address some concerns about the expansion of genetically engineered
pharmaceutical and industrial crops to outdoor plantings and potential impacts on
the human food supply, we determined whether commercial agriculture seeds of
maize or corn Zea mays L., barley Hordeum vulgare L., safflower Carthamus
tinctorius L. and rice Oryza sativa L. are digested or pass viably through the
digestive tract, or are transported externally, by captive mallard ducks Anas
platyrhynchos L., ring-necked pheasants Phasianus colchicus L., red-winged
blackbirds Agelaius phoeniceus (L.) and rock pigeons Columba livia Gmelin (with
the exception of whole maize seeds which were too large to feed to the
blackbirds). These crop seeds, whether free-fed or force-fed, did not pass
through the digestive tract of these bird species. The birds nonetheless did
retain viable seeds in the esophagus/crop and gizzard for several hours. For
example, after foraging for 6 h, mallards had retained an average of 228 +/- 112 
barley seeds and pheasants 192 +/- 78 in the esophagus/crop, and their
germination rates were 93 and 50%, respectively. Birds externally transported
seeds away from the feeding location, but in only four instances were seeds found
attached to their muddy feet or legs and in no case to feathers. Risk of such
crop seeds germinating, establishing and reproducing off site after transport by 
a bird (externally or internally) or movement of a carcass by a predator, will
depend greatly on the crop and bird species, location, environmental conditions
(including soil characteristics), timing, and seed condition.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

PMID: 19081011 [PubMed - in process]

9: J Agromedicine. 2008;13(4):219-24.

Biofuels and North American agriculture--implications for the health and safety
of North American producers.

Gunderson PD.

Dakota Center for Technology-Optimized Agriculture, Devils Lake, ND 58301, USA.
Paul.D.Gunderson.1@LRSC.NODAK.EDU

This decade has provided North American agricultural producers with opportunity
to not only produce fiber and food, but also fuel and other industrial products. 
The drivers incenting this development could be sustained well into the future,
therefore workforce safety and health implications are likely to persist for some
time. Within production agriculture, the 'feedstock growth and harvest cycle' and
'transport' sectors possess the changing exposures experienced by workers. The
Conference explored the following exposures: distiller's grains and
bio-processing byproducts, spent catalyst, solvent brine, microbial agents,
genetically modified organisms, discharge effluent, H2O dilutes, change in
cropping patterns and resultant use of different seeding and harvest
technologies, pests (whether target or non-target), and rural traffic resulting
from concentrated movement of massive quantities of biomass and grain. Other
issues of a more general public health nature such as watershed implications,
other environmental impacts, emissions, uneven economic development potential,
public safety issues associated with transport of both fuel and other industrial 
products, and rural emergency medical service need were explored. And, agronomic 
impacts were noted, including tillage change, potassium buildup in soil, nutrient
depletion, sedimentation and erosion of tillable soil, and local esthetics. It
was concluded that rural venues for formation and exploration of public policy
need to be created.

PMID: 19064413 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

10: Maturitas. 2009 Jan 20;62(1):42-6. Epub 2008 Dec 5.

Morphological modification of female bladder after prolonged use of soy-based
diets.

da Silva Faria T, Soares LL, Medeiros JL Jr, Boaventura GT, Sampaio FJ, da Fonte 
Ramos C.

Urogenital Research Unit-UERJ, Biomedical Center, State University of Rio de
Janeiro, Av. 28 de Setembro, 87-fundos-FCM-terreo, 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 
Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a prolonged use
of organic and transgenic soy upon the lipid profile and the collagen/muscle
ratio of the detrusor muscle of the bladder. METHODS: Wistar rats were fed three 
different diets from weaning until sacrifice (15 months old): control group (CG) 
casein-based diet; organic soy group (OSG) organic soy-based diet; genetically
modified soy group (GMSG) transgenic soy-based diet. RESULTS: There was no
difference in the food consumption or in the diet isoflavone components among the
groups. Comparing to CG, both OSG and GMSG groups presented a significant
(p<0.05) reduction in the body weight, triglycerides, cholesterol and the smooth 
muscle of the detrusor and a significant (p<0.05) increase of collagen fibers
number of the detrusor muscle. CONCLUSIONS: These findings call into question
that, the prolonged use of soy-based diets can be deleterious to the bladder by
altering the collagen/muscle ratio what can cause bladder dysfunctions similar
with that occurring during menopause.

PMID: 19058935 [PubMed - in process]

11: BMC Genomics. 2008 Dec 4;9:584.

Optimised padlock probe ligation and microarray detection of multiple
(non-authorised) GMOs in a single reaction.

Prins TW, van Dijk JP, Beenen HG, Van Hoef AA, Voorhuijzen MM, Schoen CD, Aarts
HJ, Kok EJ.

RIKILT - Institute of Food Safety (WUR), Bornsesteeg 45, 6708 PD Wageningen, the 
Netherlands. theo.prins@wur.nl

BACKGROUND: To maintain EU GMO regulations, producers of new GM crop varieties
need to supply an event-specific method for the new variety. As a result methods 
are nowadays available for EU-authorised genetically modified organisms (GMOs),
but only to a limited extent for EU-non-authorised GMOs (NAGs). In the last
decade the diversity of genetically modified (GM) ingredients in food and feed
has increased significantly. As a result of this increase GMO laboratories
currently need to apply many different methods to establish to potential presence
of NAGs in raw materials and complex derived products. RESULTS: In this paper we 
present an innovative method for detecting (approved) GMOs as well as the
potential presence of NAGs in complex DNA samples containing different crop
species. An optimised protocol has been developed for padlock probe ligation in
combination with microarray detection (PPLMD) that can easily be scaled up.
Linear padlock probes targeted against GMO-events, -elements and -species have
been developed that can hybridise to their genomic target DNA and are visualised 
using microarray hybridisation.In a tenplex PPLMD experiment, different genomic
targets in Roundup-Ready soya, MON1445 cotton and Bt176 maize were detected down 
to at least 1%. In single experiments, the targets were detected down to 0.1%,
i.e. comparable to standard qPCR. CONCLUSION: Compared to currently available
methods this is a significant step forward towards multiplex detection in complex
raw materials and derived products. It is shown that the PPLMD approach is
suitable for large-scale detection of GMOs in real-life samples and provides the 
possibility to detect and/or identify NAGs that would otherwise remain
undetected.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 19055784 [PubMed - in process]

12: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2009 Jan;16(1):85-94. Epub 2008 Dec 2.

Cumulative impact of GM herbicide-tolerant cropping on arable plants assessed
through species-based and functional taxonomies.

Squire GR, Hawes C, Begg GS, Young MW.

Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK,
geoff.squire@scri.ac.uk.

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE: In a gradualist approach to the introduction of crop
biotechnology, the findings of experimentation at one scale are used to predict
the outcome of moving to a higher scale of deployment. Movement through scales
had occurred for certain genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops in 
the UK as far as large-scale field trials. However, the land area occupied by
these trials was still <1% of the area occupied by the respective non-GM crops.
Some means is needed to predict the direction and size of the effect of
increasing the area of GMHT cropping on ecological variables such as the
diversity among species and trophic interactions. Species-accumulation curves are
examined here as a method of indicating regional-scale impacts on botanical
diversity from multiple field experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were used 
from experiments on the effect of (GMHT) crops and non-GM, or conventional,
comparators in fields sown with four crop types (beet, maize, spring and winter
oilseed rape) at a total of 250 sites in the UK between 2000 and 2003. Indices of
biodiversity were measured in a split-field design comparing GMHT with the
farmers' usual weed management. In the original analyses based on the means at
site level, effects were detected on the mass of weeds in the three spring crops 
and the proportion of broadleaf and grass weeds in winter oilseed rape, but not
on indices of plant species diversity. To explore the links between site means
and total taxa, accumulation curves were constructed based on the number of plant
species (a pool of around 250 species in total) and the number of plant
functional types (24), inferred from the general life-history characteristics of 
a species. RESULTS: Species accumulation differed between GMHT and conventional
treatments in direction and size, depending on the type of crop and its
conventional management. Differences were mostly in the asymptote of the curve,
indicative of the maximum number of species found in a treatment, rather than the
steepness of the curve. In winter oilseed rape, 8% more species were accumulated 
in the GMHT treatment, mainly as a result of the encouragement of grass species
by the herbicide when applied in the autumn. (Overall, GMHT winter oilseed rape
had strong negative effects on both the food web and the potential weed burden by
increasing the biomass of grasses and decreasing that of broadleaf weeds.) In
maize, 33% more species-a substantial increase-were accumulated in the GMHT than 
in the conventional, consistent with the latter's highly suppressive weed
management using triazine herbicides. In the spring oilseed rape and beet, fewer 
species (around 10%) were accumulated in the GMHT than the conventional. The GMHT
treatments did not remove or add any functional (life history) types, however.
Differences in species accumulation between treatments appeared to be caused by
loss or gain of rarer species. The generality of this effect was confirmed by
simulations of species accumulation in which the species complement at each of 50
sites was drawn from a regional pool and subjected to reducing treatment at each 
site. Shifts in the species-accumulation parameters, comparable to those
measured, occurred only when a treatment removed the rarer species at each site. 
DISCUSSION: Species accumulation provided a set of simple curve-parameters that
captured the net result of numerous local effects of treatments on plant species 
and, in some instances, the balance between grass and broadleaf types. The
direction of effect was not the same in the four crops and depended on the
severity of the conventional treatment and on complex interactions between
season, herbicide and crop. The accumulation curves gave an indication of
potential positive or negative consequences for regional species pools of
replacing a conventional practice with GMHT weed management. In this and related 
studies, a range of indicators, through which diversity was assessed by both
species and functional type, and at both site and regional scales, gave more
insight into effects of GMHT treatment than provided by any one indicator.
CONCLUSIONS: Species accumulation was shown to discriminate at the regional scale
between agronomic treatments that had little effect on species number at the
field scale. While a comprehensive assessment of GM cropping needs to include an 
examination of regional effects, as here, the costs of doing this in all
instances would be prohibitive. Simulations of diversity-reducing treatments
could provide a theoretical framework for predicting the likely regional effects 
from in-field plant dynamics. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: Accumulation
curves potentially offer a means of linking within-site effects to regional
impacts on biodiversity resulting from any change in agricultural practice. To
guide empirical measurement, there is a scope to apply a methodology such as
individual-based modelling at the field scale to explore the links between
agronomic treatments and the relative abundance of plant types. The framework
needs to be validated in practice, using species-based and functional taxonomies,
the latter defined by measured rather than inferred traits.

PMID: 19048321 [PubMed - in process]

13: J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Dec 24;56(24):12099-104.

Safety assessment of bacterial choline oxidase protein introduced in transgenic
crops for tolerance against abiotic stress.

Singh AK, Singh BP, Prasad GB, Gaur SN, Arora N.

Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR), Delhi, India.

Genetically modified crops have resistance to abiotic stress by introduction of
choline oxidase protein. In the present study, the safety of choline oxidase
protein derived from Arthrobacter globiformis was assessed for toxicity and
allergenicity. The protein was stable at 90 degrees C for 1 h. Toxicity studies
of choline oxidase in mice showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) from
control in terms of growth, body weight, food consumption, and blood biochemical 
indices. Histology of gut tissue of mice fed protein showed normal gastric
mucosal lining and villi in jejunum and ileum sections. Specific IgE in serum and
IL-4 release in splenic culture supernatant were low in choline oxidase treated
mice, comparable to control. Intravenous challenge with choline oxidase did not
induce any adverse reaction, unlike ovalbumin group mice. Histology of lung
tissues from choline oxidase sensitized mice showed normal airways, whereas
ovalbumin-sensitized mice showed inflamed airways with eosinophilic infiltration 
and bronchoconstriction. ELISA carried out with food allergic patients' sera
revealed no significant IgE affinity with choline oxidase. Also, choline oxidase 
did not show any symptoms of toxicity and allergenicity in mice.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 19035641 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

14: Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008 Nov 8. [Epub ahead of print]

Identifying food proteins with allergenic potential: Evolution of approaches to
safety assessment and research to provide additional tools.

Ladics GS, Selgrade MK.

DuPont Co., DuPont Crop Genetics, Wilmington, DE 19880 USA.

A safety assessment process exists for genetically engineered crops that includes
the evaluation of the expressed protein for allergenic potential. The objectives 
of this evaluation are twofold: (1) to protect allergic consumers from exposure
to known allergenic or cross-reactive proteins, and (2) protect the general
population from risks associated with the introduction of genes encoding proteins
that are likely to become food allergens. The first systematic approach to
address these concerns was formulated by Metcalfe et al. [Metcalfe, D.D.,
Astwood, J.D., Townsend, R., Sampson, H.A., Taylor, S.L., and Fuchs, R.L. 1996.
Assessment of the allergenic potential of foods from genetically engineered crop 
plants. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 36(5), 165-186.] and subsequently Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization
(FAO/WHO) [FAO/WHO, 2001. Evaluation of allergenicity of genetically modified
foods. Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Allergenicity of Foods
Derived from Biotechnology. January 22-25, 2001. Rome, Italy]. More recently,
Codex [Codex Alimentarius Commission, 2003. Alinorm 03/34: Joint FAO/WHO Food
Standard Programme, Codex Alimentarius Commission, Twenty-Fifth Session, Rome,
Italy, 30 June-5 July, 2003. Appendix III, Guideline for the conduct of food
safety assessment of foods derived from recombinant-DNA plants, and Appendix IV, 
Annex on the assessment of possible allergenicity. pp. 47-60], noting that no
single factor is recognized as an identifier for protein allergenicity, suggested
a weight of evidence approach be conducted that takes into account a variety of
factors and approaches for an overall assessment of allergenic potential. These
various recommendations are based on what is known about allergens, including the
history of exposure and safety of the gene(s) source; amino acid sequence
identity to human allergens; stability to pepsin digestion in vitro; protein
abundance in the crop and processing effects; and when appropriate, specific IgE 
binding studies or skin-prick testing. Similarities and differences between these
various suggested recommendations, as well as data gaps, are discussed. The US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Office of Research and Development (ORD) 
has initiated a targeted research effort to address data gaps and improve the
various recommended methods/endpoints for assessing the allergenic risks
associated with plant incorporated pesticides (PIPs) through both intramural and 
extramural (grant supported) research. The areas of primary focus for EPA
include: (1) development and evaluation of animal models; (2) targeted or
specific serological assays; and (3) structure-activity relationships. Details on
the current as well as proposed EPA funded research are discussed. More recently 
US EPA has partnered with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Disease (NIAID), National Institutes of Health to support research in areas of
mutual interest with respect to food allergy.

PMID: 19028539 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

15: J Biol. 2008 Nov 7;7(9):33. [Epub ahead of print]

Aquaglyceroporins: ancient channels for metalloids.

Bhattacharjee H, Mukhopadhyay R, Thiyagarajan S, Rosen BP.

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University, School 
of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. brosen@med.wayne.edu.

ABSTRACT: The identification of aquaglyceroporins as uptake channels for arsenic 
and antimony shows how these toxic elements can enter the food chain, and
suggests that food plants could be genetically modified to exclude arsenic while 
still accumulating boron and silicon.

PMID: 19014407 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

16: Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2009 Mar;64(1):1-5.

Organic and genetically modified soybean diets: consequences in growth and in
hematological indicators of aged rats.

Daleprane JB, FeijГі TS, Boaventura GT.

College of Medicine, Federal Fluminense University, NiterГіi, Brazil,
juliobd@gmail.com.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protein quality of organic and
genetically modified soy by feeding specific diets to rats. Three groups of
Wistar rats (n = 10) were used, and each group was named according to the food
that they ate. There was an organic soy group (OG), a genetically modified soy
group (GG), and a control group (CG). All animals received water and diet ad
libitum for 455 days. At the end of this period, the weight of the GG group was
the same as that of the OG, and both were higher than CG. Protein intake was
similar for the OG and GG, which were significantly lower (p < 0.0005) than the
CG. The growth rate (GR) of the rats, albumin levels, and total levels of serum
protein were comparable for all groups. Hematocrit (p < 0.04) and hemoglobin (p <
0.03) for the OG and GG were less than the CG. Although the OG and GG
demonstrated reduced hematocrit and hemoglobin, both types of soy were utilized
in a way similar to casein. This result suggests that the protein quality of soy 
is parallel to the standard protein casein in terms of growth promotion but not
hematological indicators.

PMID: 19011971 [PubMed - in process]

17: Methods Mol Biol. 2009;478:273-88.

Establishing substantial equivalence: proteomics.

Lovegrove A, Salt L, Shewry PR.

Department of Plant Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Centre for Crop Genetic
Improvement, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK.

Wheat is a major crop in world agriculture and is consumed after processing into 
a range of food products. It is therefore of great importance to determine the
consequences (intended and unintended) of transgenesis in wheat and whether
genetically modified lines are substantially equivalent to those produced by
conventional plant breeding. Proteomic analysis is one of several approaches
which can be used to address these questions. Two-dimensional PAGE (2D PAGE)
remains the most widely available method for proteomic analysis, but is
notoriously difficult to reproduce between laboratories. We therefore describe
methods which have been developed as standard operating procedures in our
laboratory to ensure the reproducibility of proteomic analyses of wheat using 2D 
PAGE analysis of grain proteins.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 19009451 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

18: J Biosci Bioeng. 2008 Oct;106(4):350-6.

Chemical characteristics and volatile profile of genetically modified peanut
cultivars.

Ng EC, Dunford NT, Chenault K.

Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and Robert M. Kerr Food &
Agricultural Products Center, Oklahoma State University, FAPC Room 103,
Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.

Genetic engineering has been used to modify peanut cultivars for improving
agronomic performance and pest resistance. Food products developed through
genetic engineering have to be assessed for their safety before approval for
human consumption. Preservation of desirable chemical, flavor and aroma
attributes of the peanut cultivars during the genetic modifications is critical
for acceptance of genetically modified peanuts (GMP) by the food industry. Hence,
the main objective of this study is to examine chemical characteristics and
volatile profile of GMP. The genetically modified peanut cultivars, 188, 540 and 
654 were obtained from the USDA-ARS in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The peanut variety
Okrun was examined as a control. The volatile analysis was performed using a gas 
chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) equipped with an olfactory detector. The 
peanut samples were also analyzed for their moisture, ash, protein, sugar and oil
compositions. Experimental results showed that the variations in nutritional
composition of peanut lines examined in this study were within the values
reported for existing cultivars. There were minor differences in volatile profile
among the samples. The implication of this study is significant, since it shows
that peanut cultivars with greater pest and fungal resistance were successfully
developed without major changes in their chemical characteristics.

PMID: 19000610 [PubMed - in process]

19: Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2008 Nov;72(11):2953-8. Epub 2008 Nov 7.

Real-time PCR method using capturing oligo-immobilized PCR tubes to determine the
specific gene for soybean and genetically modified soybean in food matrices.

Harikai N, Saito S, Abe M, Kondo K, Kitta K, Akiyama H, Teshima R, Kinoshita K.

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mukogawa Women's University, Hyogo, Japan.

A new real-time PCR method using capturing oligo-immobilized PCR tubes is
described. This method was used to detect specific genes for soybean and
genetically modified (GM) soybean in food matrices. In a standard reaction using 
soybean genomic DNA and a capturing oligo for the lectin gene (Le1) immobilized
on the tube, we examined the effects of such hybridization conditions as the
location, length, and amount of the capturing oligo, and the incubation time and 
temperature. Under optimized conditions, the copy number of Le1 was determined in
a concentration-dependent manner from soybean genomic DNA and soybean lysate (DNA
10-1000 ng, r=0.99; lysate 1-100%, r=0.99). The copy number of a Roundup Ready
soybean (RRS) gene was also successfully detected in a concentration-dependent
manner (1-100%, r=0.99) from GM soybean lysate, using PCR tubes with an
immobilized capturing oligo for the transgene. Our data indicate that this is a
rapid and simple method to determine specific genes for soybean and GM soybean in
food matrices.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18997399 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

20: Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2009 Feb;49(2):164-75.

Health risks of genetically modified foods.

Dona A, Arvanitoyannis IS.

Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Athens, Medical
School, Athens, Greece.

As genetically modified (GM) foods are starting to intrude in our diet concerns
have been expressed regarding GM food safety. These concerns as well as the
limitations of the procedures followed in the evaluation of their safety are
presented. Animal toxicity studies with certain GM foods have shown that they may
toxically affect several organs and systems. The review of these studies should
not be conducted separately for each GM food, but according to the effects
exerted on certain organs it may help us create a better picture of the possible 
health effects on human beings. The results of most studies with GM foods
indicate that they may cause some common toxic effects such as hepatic,
pancreatic, renal, or reproductive effects and may alter the hematological,
biochemical, and immunologic parameters. However, many years of research with
animals and clinical trials are required for this assessment. The use of
recombinant GH or its expression in animals should be re-examined since it has
been shown that it increases IGF-1 which may promote cancer.

PMID: 18989835 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

21: Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Dec;46(12):3808-17. Epub 2008 Oct 8.

Subchronic feeding study of high oleic acid soybeans (Event DP-3Ø5423-1) in
Sprague-Dawley rats.

Delaney B, Appenzeller LM, Munley SM, Hoban D, Sykes GP, Malley LA, Sanders C.

Pioneer, A DuPont Company, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., Johnston, IA
50131-0552, USA. bryan.delaney@pioneer.com

DP-3Ø5423-1 (305423) is a genetically-modified (GM) soybean that was produced by 
biolistic insertion of a gm-fad2-1 gene fragment and the gm-hra gene into the
germline of soybean seeds. The gm-fad2-1 gene fragment cosuppresses expression of
the endogenous FAD2-1 gene encoding the seed-specific omega-6 fatty acid
desaturase resulting in higher concentrations of oleic acid (18:1) relative to
linoleic acid (18:2). The gm-hra gene encoding a modified acetolactate synthase
(ALS) enzyme was used as a selectable marker. In the current study, processed
fractions (meal, hulls, and oil) from 305423 soybeans, non-GM soybeans with a
similar genetic background (near isoline control) and three
commercially-available non-GM varieties were used to formulate diets that were
nutritionally comparable to PMI Certified Rodent LabDiet 5002. Diets were fed to 
young adult Crl:CD(SD) rats (12/sex/group) for approximately 90 days. Compared
with rats fed the non-GM control diet, no biologically relevant differences were 
observed in rats fed the 305423 diet with respect to body weight/gain, food
consumption/efficiency, mortality, clinical signs of toxicity, or
ophthalmological observations. No test diet-related effects were observed on
neurobehavioral assessments, organ weights, or clinical or anatomic pathology.
These results demonstrated that 305423 soybeans are as safe and wholesome as
non-GM soybeans.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18952136 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

22: Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Aug 29. [Epub ahead of print]

Timely awareness and prevention of emerging chemical and biochemical risks in
foods: Proposal for a strategy based on experience with recent cases.

Kleter GA, Groot MJ, Poelman M, Kok EJ, Marvin HJ.

RIKILT - Institute of Food Safety, Wageningen University and Research Center,
P.O. Box 230, NL-6700 AE Wageningen, The Netherlands.

A number of recent food safety incidents have involved chemical substances, while
various activities aim at the early identification of emerging chemical risks.
This review considers recent cases of chemical and biochemical risks, as a basis 
for recommendations for awareness and prevention of similar risks at an early
stage. These cases include examples of unapproved genetically modified food
crops, intoxications with botanical products containing unintentionally admixed
toxic herbs, residues of unapproved antibiotics and contaminants in farmed
aquaculture species such as shrimp and salmon; and adverse effects of chemical
and biological pesticides of natural origin. Besides case-specific
recommendations for mitigation of future incidents of the same nature, general
inferences and recommendations are made. It is recommended, for example, to
establish databases for contaminants potentially present within products.
Pro-active reconnaissance can facilitate the identification of products
potentially contaminated with hazardous substances. In international trade,
prevention and early identification of hazards are aided by management systems
for product quality and safety, rigorous legislation, and inspections of
consignments destined for export. Cooperation with the private sector and foreign
authorities may be required to achieve these goals. While food and feed safety
are viewed from the European perspective, the outcomes also apply to other
regions.

PMID: 18790713 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

23: Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2008 Aug;49(4):272-82.

A 104-week feeding study of genetically modified soybeans in F344 rats.

Sakamoto Y, Tada Y, Fukumori N, Tayama K, Ando H, Takahashi H, Kubo Y, Nagasawa
A, Yano N, Yuzawa K, Ogata A.

Department of Environmental Health and Toxicology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute
of Public Health. Tokyo, Japan.

A chronic feeding study to evaluate the safety of genetically modified
glyphosate-tolerant soybeans (GM soybeans) was conducted using F344 DuCrj rats.
The rats were fed diet containing GM soybeans or Non-GM soybeans at the
concentration of 30% in basal diet. Non-GM soybeans were a closely related strain
to the GM soybeans. These two diets were adjusted to an identical nutrient level.
In this study, the influence of GM soybeans in rats was compared with that of the
Non-GM soybeans, and furthermore, to assess the effect of soybeans themselves,
the groups of rats fed GM and Non-GM soybeans were compared with a group fed
commercial diet (CE-2). General conditions were observed daily and body weight
and food consumption were recorded. At the termination (104 weeks), animals were 
subjected to hematology, serum biochemistry, and pathological examinations. There
were several differences in animal growth, food intake, organ weights and
histological findings between the rats fed the GM and/or Non-GM soybeans and the 
rats fed CE-2. However, body weight and food intake were similar for the rats fed
the GM and Non-GM soybeans. Gross necropsy findings, hematological and serum
biochemical parameters, and organ weights showed no meaningful difference between
rats fed the GM and Non-GM soybeans. In pathological observation, there was
neither an increase in incidence nor any specific type of nonneoplastic or
neoplastic lesions in the GM soybeans group in each sex. These results indicate
that long-term intake of GM soybeans at the level of 30% in diet has no apparent 
adverse effect in rats.

PMID: 18787312 [PubMed - in process]

24: Natl Toxicol Program Genet Modif Model Rep. 2007 Dec;(12):1-85.

The toxicology and carcinogenesis study of phenolphthalein (CAS No. 77-09-8) in
genetically modified haploinsufficient p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) mice (feed study).

[No authors listed]

Phenolphthalein was commonly used as a laxative for most of the 20th century. The
use of phenolphthalein in laxatives has decreased since 1997 when the United
States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed to withdraw its classification
as an over-the-counter drug (21 CFR, Part 310). Phenolphthalein has been
previously evaluated in 2-year carcinogenicity studies by the National Toxicology
Program (1996). The major route of human exposure to phenolphthalein is via
ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation of contaminated air originating from
process units manufacturing the compound. In this study, the carcinogenic effects
of phenolphthalein were studied in the haploinsufficient p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf)
mouse model as an ongoing goal of the NTP is to seek model systems for toxicology
and carcinogenesis studies, especially those that can provide mechanistic
information relative to understanding an agent's mode of action. Male and female 
haploinsufficient p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) mice were exposed to phenolphthalein
(greater than 97% pure) in feed for 27 weeks. Genetic toxicology studies were
conducted in mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes. 27-WEEK STUDY IN MICE: Groups
of 15 male and 15 female mice were exposed to 0, 200, 375, 750, 3,000, or 12,000 
ppm phenolphthalein (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 35, 65,
135, 540, and 2,170 mg phenolphthalein/kg body weight to males and 50, 90, 170,
680, 2,770 mg/kg to females) in feed for 27 weeks. Survival of all exposed groups
of male and female mice was similar to that of the control groups. Mean body
weights of males in the 12,000 ppm group were less than those of the control
group after week 11. No differences in feed consumption were noted between
exposed and control groups. Atypical hyperplasia of the thymus, a premalignant
change of chemically induced thymic lymphoma, occurred in exposed males and
females, and the incidence was significantly increased in 12,000 ppm females.
Atrophy of the seminiferous tubules in the testis, hyperplasia of the testicular 
interstitial (Leydig) cells, and epididymal hypospermia occurred in most 3,000
and 12,000 ppm males. Additionally, the left and right testis weights, the left
epididymis weights, sperm motility, the numbers of spermatid heads per testis,
and sperm heads per cauda and per gram cauda epididymis were generally
significantly less in 3,000 and 12,000 ppm males than in the control group. The
incidences of nephropathy were significantly increased in 3,000 and 12,000 ppm
males; incidences of hypertrophy of renal tubules were significantly increased in
males receiving 750 ppm or greater. Hematopoietic cell proliferation of the
spleen occurred in all 12,000 ppm males, and the incidences of this lesion were
significantly increased in 375, 750, and 12,000 ppm females. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: 
The frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes was assessed at four time points
during the 27-week study in male and female haploinsufficient p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf)
mice. Significant concentration-related increases in micronucleated cells were
observed at all time points in male and female mice. CONCLUSIONS: Under the
conditions of this 27-week feed study, there was no evidence of carcinogenic
activity of phenolphthalein in male or female haploinsufficient
p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) mice exposed to 200, 375, 750, 3,000, or 12,000 ppm. Because 
this is a new model, there is uncertainty whether the study possessed sufficient 
sensitivity to detect a carcinogenic effect. Phenolphthalein induced atypical
hyperplasia, a preneoplastic lesion of the thymus, in male and female mice,
hematopoietic cell proliferation of the spleen in male and female mice, and
toxicity to the kidney and reproductive system in male mice.

PMID: 18784766 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

25: J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Oct 8;56(19):9206-14. Epub 2008 Sep 10.

Assessment of the nutritional values of genetically modified wheat, corn, and
tomato crops.

Venneria E, Fanasca S, Monastra G, Finotti E, Ambra R, Azzini E, Durazzo A,
Foddai MS, Maiani G.

Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca per gli Alimenti e la Nutrizione, 00178 Roma,
Italy. venneria@inran.it

The genetic modification in fruit and vegetables could lead to changes in
metabolic pathways and, therefore, to the variation of the molecular pattern,
with particular attention to antioxidant compounds not well-described in the
literature. The aim of the present study was to compare the quality composition
of transgenic wheat ( Triticum durum L.), corn ( Zea mays L.), and tomato (
Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) to the nontransgenic control with a similar
genetic background. In the first experiment, Ofanto wheat cultivar containing the
tobacco rab1 gene and nontransgenic Ofanto were used. The second experiment
compared two transgenic lines of corn containing Bacillus thuringiensis "Cry
toxin" gene (PR33P67 and Pegaso Bt) to their nontransgenic forms. The third
experiment was conducted on transgenic tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.)
containing the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolD gene and its nontransgenic control
(cv. Tondino). Conventional and genetically modified crops were compared in terms
of fatty acids content, unsaponifiable fraction of antioxidants, total phenols,
polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamin C, total antioxidant activity, and mineral
composition. No significant differences were observed for qualitative traits
analyzed in wheat and corn samples. In tomato samples, the total antioxidant
activity (TAA), measured by FRAP assay, and the naringenin content showed a lower
value in genetically modified organism (GMO) samples (0.35 mmol of Fe (2+) 100 g 
(-1) and 2.82 mg 100 g (-1), respectively), in comparison to its nontransgenic
control (0.41 mmol of Fe (2+) 100 g (-1) and 4.17 mg 100 g (-1), respectively).
On the basis of the principle of substantial equivalence, as articulated by the
World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, these data
support the conclusion that GM events are nutritionally similar to conventional
varieties of wheat, corn, and tomato on the market today.

PMID: 18781763 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

26: Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008 Dec;52(3):208-22. Epub 2008 Aug 22.

A risk-based classification scheme for genetically modified foods. I: Conceptual 
development.

Chao E, Krewski D.

McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, Institute of Population 
Health, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart Street, Ottawa, Ont., Canada KIN 6N5.
echao@uottawa.ca

The predominant paradigm for the premarket assessment of genetically modified
(GM) foods reflects heightened public concern by focusing on foods modified by
recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) techniques, while foods modified by
other methods of genetic modification are generally not assessed for safety. To
determine whether a GM product requires less or more regulatory oversight and
testing, we developed and evaluated a risk-based classification scheme (RBCS) for
crop-derived GM foods. The results of this research are presented in three
papers. This paper describes the conceptual development of the proposed RBCS that
focuses on two categories of adverse health effects: (1) toxic and
antinutritional effects, and (2) allergenic effects. The factors that may affect 
the level of potential health risks of GM foods are identified. For each factor
identified, criteria for differentiating health risk potential are developed. The
extent to which a GM food satisfies applicable criteria for each factor is rated 
separately. A concern level for each category of health effects is then
determined by aggregating the ratings for the factors using predetermined
aggregation rules. An overview of the proposed scheme is presented, as well as
the application of the scheme to a hypothetical GM food.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18778747 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

27: Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008 Dec;52(3):223-34. Epub 2008 Aug 15.

A risk-based classification scheme for genetically modified foods. II: Graded
testing.

Chao E, Krewski D.

McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, Institute of Population 
Health, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart Street, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1N 6N5.
echao@uottawa.ca

This paper presents a graded approach to the testing of crop-derived genetically 
modified (GM) foods based on concern levels in a proposed risk-based
classification scheme (RBCS) and currently available testing methods. A graded
approach offers the potential for more efficient use of testing resources by
focusing less on lower concern GM foods, and more on higher concern foods. In
this proposed approach to graded testing, products that are classified as Level I
would have met baseline testing requirements that are comparable to what is
widely applied to premarket assessment of GM foods at present. In most cases,
Level I products would require no further testing, or very limited confirmatory
analyses. For products classified as Level II or higher, additional testing would
be required, depending on the type of the substance, prior dietary history,
estimated exposure level, prior knowledge of toxicity of the substance, and the
nature of the concern related to unintended changes in the modified food. Level
III testing applies only to the assessment of toxic and antinutritional effects
from intended changes and is tailored to the nature of the substance in question.
Since appropriate test methods are not currently available for all effects of
concern, future research to strengthen the testing of GM foods is discussed.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18768151 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

28: Plant Cell Rep. 2008 Nov;27(11):1741-54. Epub 2008 Aug 30.

Efficient production of genetically engineered, male-sterile Arabidopsis thaliana
using anther-specific promoters and genes derived from Brassica oleracea and B.
rapa.

Konagaya K, Ando S, Kamachi S, Tsuda M, Tabei Y.

Division of Plant Science, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences,
Ibaraki, Japan.

Prevention of transgene flow from genetically modified crops to food crops and
wild relatives is of concern in agricultural biotechnology. We used genes derived
from food crops to produce complete male sterility as a strategy for gene
confinement as well as to reduce the food purity concerns of consumers.
Anther-specific promoters (A3, A6, A9, MS2, and MS5) were isolated from Brassica 
oleracea and B. rapa and fused to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and 
candidate genes for male sterility, including the cysteine proteases BoCysP1 and 
BoCP3, and negative regulatory components of phytohormonal responses involved in 
male development. These constructs were then introduced into Arabidopsis
thaliana. GUS analyses revealed that A3, A6, and A9 had tapetum-specific promoter
activity from the anther meiocyte stage. Male sterility was confirmed in tested
constructs with protease or gibberellin insensitive (gai) genes. In particular,
constructs with BoCysP1 driven by the A3 or A9 promoter most efficiently produced
plants with complete male sterility. The tapetum and middle layer cells of
anthers expressing BoCysP1 were swollen and excessively vacuolated when observed 
in transverse section. This suggests that the ectopic expression of cysteine
protease in the meiocyte stage may inhibit programmed cell death. The gai gene
also induced male sterility, although at a low frequency. This is the first
report to show that plant cysteine proteases and gai from food crops are
available as a novel tool for the development of genetically engineered
male-sterile plants.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18758783 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

29: Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Oct;46 Suppl 10:S15-9. Epub 2008 Aug 8.

Analytical criteria for performance characteristics of IgE binding methods for
evaluating safety of biotech food products.

Holzhauser T, Ree R, Poulsen LK, Bannon GA.

Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 51-59, 63225
Langen, Germany. holth@pei.de

There is detailed guidance on how to perform bioinformatic analyses and enzymatic
degradation studies for genetically modified crops under consideration for
approval by regulatory agencies; however, there is no consensus in the scientific
community on the details of how to perform IgE serum studies. IgE serum studies
are an important safety component to acceptance of genetically modified crops
when the introduced protein is novel, the introduced protein is similar to known 
allergens, or the crop is allergenic. In this manuscript, we describe the
characteristics of the reagents, validation of assay performance, and data
analysis necessary to optimize the information obtained from serum testing of
novel proteins and genetically modified (GM) crops and to make results more
accurate and comparable between different investigations.

PMID: 18727951 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

30: Anal Bioanal Chem. 2008 Oct;392(3):369-84. Epub 2008 Aug 23.

Methods for detection of GMOs in food and feed.

Marmiroli N, Maestri E, Gullì M, Malcevschi A, Peano C, Bordoni R, De Bellis G.

Department of Environmental Sciences, Division of Genetics and Environmental
Biotechnology, University of Parma, Viale G.P. Usberti 11A, 43100, Parma, Italy.

This paper reviews aspects relevant to detection and quantification of
genetically modified (GM) material within the feed/food chain. The GM crop
regulatory framework at the international level is evaluated with reference to
traceability and labelling. Current analytical methods for the detection,
identification, and quantification of transgenic DNA in food and feed are
reviewed. These methods include quantitative real-time PCR, multiplex PCR, and
multiplex real-time PCR. Particular attention is paid to methods able to identify
multiple GM events in a single reaction and to the development of microdevices
and microsensors, though they have not been fully validated for application.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 18726090 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

31: J Med Food. 2008 Dec;11(4):601-5.

The problem with nutritionally enhanced plants.

Schubert DR.

Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La
Jolla, California 92037-1099, USA. schubert@salk.edu

Among the next generation of genetically modified (GM) plants are those that are 
engineered to produce elevated levels of nutritional molecules such as vitamins, 
omega-3 fatty acids, and amino acids. Based upon the U.S. current regulatory
scheme, the plants and their products may enter our food supply without any
required safety testing. The potential risks of this type of GM plant are
discussed in the context of human health, and it is argued that there should be
very careful safety testing of plants designed to produce biologically active
molecules before they are commercially grown and consumed. This will require a
mandatory, scientifically rigorous review process.

PMID: 18721071 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

32: Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Oct;46 Suppl 10:S12-4. Epub 2008 Jul 30.

The serum bank of EuroPrevall - the prevalence, cost and basis of food allergy
across Europe.

Vieths S, Reese G, Ballmer-Weber BK, Beyer K, Burney P, Fernandez-Rivas M,
Summers C, Ree R, Mills C.

Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 51-59,
D-63225, Langen, Germany. Viest@pei.de

EuroPrevall is an EU-funded multidisciplinary project including 62 institutions
from 22 countries. EuroPrevall studies the prevalence and distribution of food
allergies in infants, children, adolescents, and adults in Europe, threshold
doses for allergenic foods, the role of the environment in food allergy, the
socioeconomic impact of food allergy, and novel diagnostic tools for food
allergies. The EuroPrevall serum bank (EPASB), containing samples from
approximately 70,000 subjects, is a major tool to achieve these goals. EPASB is
coordinated by the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany. Local sera collections
are administered at the University of Amsterdam (NL), the University Hospital of 
Manchester (UK), CharitГ© Hospital (DE) and the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. The EPASB
coordinator and managing partners distribute samples for experimental work and
regulate access. The overall aim is to provide sera to fulfil EuroPrevall
research goals. The EPASB coordinator and managing partners suggest appropriate
sera for addressing specific scientific and diagnostic questions. The serum bank 
will be maintained after termination of the project, but subsequent
investigations must be in accordance with the original research goals of
EuroPrevall. Thus, the contributors of the sera retain control over their future 
use. This rule prevents investigation of questions outside the scope of
EuroPrevall, e.g. the allergenicity of genetically-modified foods.

PMID: 18706961 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

33: Anal Bioanal Chem. 2008 Oct;392(3):333-40.

Genetically modified food from crops: progress, pawns, and possibilities.

Morin XK.

Princeton Writing Program and the Princeton Environmental Institute, South Baker 
Hall, Whitman College, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
xmorin@princeton.edu

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18704376 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

34: Vopr Pitan. 2008;77(3):58-63.

[Questions safety and tendency of using genetically modified microorganisms in
food, food additives and food derived]

[Article in Russian]

Khovaev AA.

In this article analysis questions of using genetically modified microorganisms
in manufacture food production, present new GMM used in manufacture -food
ferments; results of medical biological appraisal/ microbiological and genetic
expert examination/ of food, getting by use microorganisms or there producents
with indication modern of control methods.

Publication Types: 
    English Abstract
    Review

PMID: 18669333 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

35: Vopr Pitan. 2008;77(3):49-57.

[Requirements to a medical and biologic assessment and the hygienic control of
the food production received from recombinant-DNA microorganisms]

[Article in Russian]

Sheveleva SA, Efimmochkina NR, Nesterenko LN, Zigangirova NA, Khovaev AA,
NaroditskiД­ BS, Ivanov GE, Tutel'ian VA, Gintsburg AL.

In work the characteristic of the created in the Russian Federation system of an 
estimation of safety of the foodstuff received from/or with use of genetically
modified microorganisms (GMM) is given, at their admission to realization and the
hygienic control of given production over a revolution. It is shown, that
strategy of a safety at a stage of registration GMM, the established order and
accepted control measures of the foodstuff received from/or with use GMM, in
Russia their large-scale commercial use, and the normative-legal and methodical
base based on the federal legislation on state regulation in the field of
genetically engineering activity, about quality and effectively outstrip safety
of foodstuff about protection of the rights of consumers, is harmonized with
approaches of the international organizations.

Publication Types: 
    English Abstract
    Review

PMID: 18669332 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

36: Histochem Cell Biol. 2008 Nov;130(5):967-77. Epub 2008 Jul 22.

A long-term study on female mice fed on a genetically modified soybean: effects
on liver ageing.

Malatesta M, Boraldi F, Annovi G, Baldelli B, Battistelli S, Biggiogera M,
Quaglino D.

Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologico-Biomediche, Sezione di Anatomia e Istologia, 
University of Verona, strada Le Grazie 8, 37134, Verona, Italy.
manuela.malatesta@univr.it

Liver represents a suitable model for monitoring the effects of a diet, due to
its key role in controlling the whole metabolism. Although no direct evidence has
been reported so far that genetically modified (GM) food may affect health,
previous studies on hepatocytes from young female mice fed on GM soybean
demonstrated nuclear modifications involving transcription and splicing pathways.
In this study, the effects of this diet were studied on liver of old female mice 
in order to elucidate possible interference with ageing. The morpho-functional
characteristics of the liver of 24-month-old mice, fed from weaning on control or
GM soybean, were investigated by combining a proteomic approach with
ultrastructural, morphometrical and immunoelectron microscopical analyses.
Several proteins belonging to hepatocyte metabolism, stress response, calcium
signalling and mitochondria were differentially expressed in GM-fed mice,
indicating a more marked expression of senescence markers in comparison to
controls. Moreover, hepatocytes of GM-fed mice showed mitochondrial and nuclear
modifications indicative of reduced metabolic rate. This study demonstrates that 
GM soybean intake can influence some liver features during ageing and, although
the mechanisms remain unknown, underlines the importance to investigate the
long-term consequences of GM-diets and the potential synergistic effects with
ageing, xenobiotics and/or stress conditions.

PMID: 18648843 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

37: J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Aug 27;56(16):6791-800. Epub 2008 Jul 16.

Detection of genetically modified canola using multiplex PCR coupled with
oligonucleotide microarray hybridization.

Schmidt AM, Sahota R, Pope DS, Lawrence TS, Belton MP, Rott ME.

Sidney Laboratory, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 8801 East Saanich Road,
Sidney, British Columbia V8L 1H3, Canada.

A rapid method was developed for concurrent screening of transgenic elements in
GM canola. This method utilizes a single multiplex PCR coupled with an
oligonucleotide DNA array capable of simultaneously detecting the 12 approved GM 
canola lines in Canada. The assay includes construct-specific elements for
identification of approved lines, common elements (e.g., CaMV 35S promoter,
Agrobacterium tumefaciens nos terminator, or nptII gene) for screening of
approved or unapproved lines, a canola-specific endogenous gene, and endogenous
genes from heterologous crops to serve as additional controls. Oligonucleotide
probes were validated individually for functionality and specificity by
amplification of specific transgene sequences from appropriate GM canola lines
corresponding to each probe sequence, and hybridization of amplicons to the
array. Each target sequence hybridized to its corresponding oligonucleotide probe
and no significant cross-hybridization was observed. The limit of detection was
examined for the GM lines GT73, T45, and MS8/RF3, and was determined to be 0.1%, 
0.1%, and 0.5%, respectively, well within the European food and feed labeling
threshold level of 0.9% for approved GM product. Practically, the method was
demonstrated to be effective for the detection of GM canola in several types of
animal feed, as well as in commercial canola meal.

PMID: 18636685 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

38: Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008 Nov;52(2):94-103. Epub 2008 Jun 20.

Establishing objective detection limits for the pepsin digestion assay used in
the assessment of genetically modified foods.

Ofori-Anti AO, Ariyarathna H, Chen L, Lee HL, Pramod SN, Goodman RE.

Food Allergy Research and Resource Program (FARRP), Department of Food Science & 
Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 143 Food Industry Complex, Lincoln,
NE 68583-0955, USA.

RATIONALE: Guidelines for assessing the potential allergenicity of genetically
modified (GM) organisms recommend testing the digestibility of the introduced
protein by pepsin. Previous studies detailed the digestion procedure but have not
described a simple objective measurement of the extent of digestion nor evaluated
the impact of variation in pepsin activity. METHODS: Samples of eight proteins
were digested by pepsin at pH 1.2 and 2.0 using standard conditions (10,000 U of 
pepsin activity per mg test protein) as well as 5000 and 20,000 units per mg of
test protein. An independent digestion assay of hemoglobin was used to verify
pepsin activity for each assay. Digestion was stopped in timed samples between
0.5 and 60 min. Digestion samples and undigested protein (10% and 100%) were
separated by SDS-PAGE. Residual stained protein bands were measured by image
analysis. RESULTS: The differences in pH and pepsin concentration only had minor 
effects on digestion of intermediately stable proteins: concanavalin A,
ovalbumin, and lysozyme, but not on rapidly digested or stable proteins.
CONCLUSIONS: Verification of pepsin activity and measurement of an objective
endpoint of digestion (e.g. (90%) should provide more comparable results for the 
safety assessment of novel food proteins.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18611423 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

39: Biotechnol Annu Rev. 2008;14:423-62.

Recent advances in the development of transgenic papaya technology.

Tecson Mendoza EM, C Laurena A, Botella JR.

College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los BaГ±os, College, Laguna,
Philippines. emtmendoza@nast.ph

Papaya with resistance to papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is the first genetically
modified tree and fruit crop and also the first transgenic crop developed by a
public institution that has been commercialized. This chapter reviews the
different transformation systems used for papaya and recent advances in the use
of transgenic technology to introduce important quality and horticultural traits 
in papaya. These include the development of the following traits in papaya:
resistance to PRSV, mites and Phytophthora, delayed ripening trait or long shelf 
life by inhibiting ethylene production or reducing loss of firmness, and
tolerance or resistance to herbicide and aluminum toxicity. The use of papaya to 
produce vaccine against tuberculosis and cysticercosis, an infectious animal
disease, has also been explored. Because of the economic importance of papaya,
there are several collaborative and independent efforts to develop PRSV
transgenic papaya technology in 14 countries. This chapter further reviews the
strategies and constraints in the adoption of the technology and biosafety to the
environment and food safety. Constraints to adoption include public perception,
strict and expensive regulatory procedures and intellectual property issues.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
    Review

PMID: 18606373 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

40: Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2008 Mar;58(1):49-58.

[Differentiated perception of transgenic tomato sauce in the southern Chile]

[Article in Spanish]

Schnettler Morales B, SepГєlveda Bravo O, Ruiz Fuentes D, Denegri Coria M.

Departamento de ProducciГіn Agropecuaria, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y
Forestales, Universidad de La Frontera, Chile.

The present study considers the debate generated in developed countries by
genetically modified foods, the importance of this variable to consumers in
Temuco (AraucanГ­a Region, Chile) when purchasing tomato sauce and different
market segments were studied through a personal survey administered to 400
people. Using conjoint analysis, it was determined that the presence of genetic
modification in food was generally more important than the brand and purchase
price. Using cluster analysis, three segments were distinguished, with the most
numerous (49.3%) placing the greatest importance on the presence of genetic
modification (GM) in food and rejecting the transgenic product. The second group 
(39.4%) gave the greatest importance to the brand and preferred tomato sauce with
genetically modified ingredients. The smallest segment (11.3%) placed the
greatest value on price and preferred transgenic tomato sauce. The three segments
prefer the national brand, reject the store brand and react positively to lower
prices. The segment sensitive to the presence of GM in food comprised mainly
those younger than 35 years of age, single and with no children. The absence of
GM in food of vegetable origin is desirable for young consumers in the AraucanГ­a 
Region, but a significant proportion accepts genetic modification in food
(50.7%).

Publication Types: 
    English Abstract

PMID: 18589572 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

41: Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 Jun;8(3):270-5.

Soy allergy in perspective.

Ballmer-Weber BK, Vieths S.

Allergy Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich,
Switzerland. barbara.ballmer@usz.ch

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss studies on 
soy allergy. RECENT FINDINGS: In Central Europe soy is a clinically relevant
birch pollen-related allergenic food. Crossreaction is mediated by a Bet v 1
homologous protein, Gly m 4. Additionally, birch pollen allergic patients might
acquire through Bet v 1 sensitization allergies to mungbean or peanut, in which
Vig r 1 and Ara h 8 are the main cross-reactive allergens. Threshold doses in soy
allergic individuals range from 10 mg to 50 g of soy and are more than one order 
of magnitude higher than in peanut allergy. No evidence was found for increased
allergenicity of genetically modified soybeans. SUMMARY: In Europe, both primary 
and pollen-related food allergy exist. The diagnosis of legume allergy in birch
pollen-sensitized patients should not be excluded on a negative IgE testing to
legume extracts. Bet v 1 related allergens are often underrepresented in
extracts. Gly m 4 from soy and Ara h 8 from peanut are nowadays commercially
available and are recommended in birch pollen allergic patients with suspicion of
soy or peanut allergy, but negative extract-based diagnostic tests to screen for 
IgE specific to these recombinant allergens.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 18560305 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

42: Anal Bioanal Chem. 2008 Oct;392(3):355-67. Epub 2008 Jun 8.

New trends in bioanalytical tools for the detection of genetically modified
organisms: an update.

Michelini E, Simoni P, Cevenini L, Mezzanotte L, Roda A.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Belmeloro 6,
40126, Bologna, Italy.

Despite the controversies surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the 
production of GM crops is increasing, especially in developing countries. Thanks 
to new technologies involving genetic engineering and unprecedented access to
genomic resources, the next decade will certainly see exponential growth in GMO
production. Indeed, EU regulations based on the precautionary principle require
any food containing more than 0.9% GM content to be labeled as such. The
implementation of these regulations necessitates sampling protocols, the
availability of certified reference materials and analytical methodologies that
allow the accurate determination of the content of GMOs. In order to qualify for 
the validation process, a method should fulfil some criteria, defined as
"acceptance criteria" by the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL). Several
methods have recently been developed for GMO detection and quantitation, mostly
based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. PCR (including its different
formats, e.g., double competitive PCR and real-time PCR) remains the technique of
choice, thanks to its ability to detect even small amounts of transgenes in raw
materials and processed foods. Other approaches relying on DNA detection are
based on quartz crystal microbalance piezoelectric biosensors, dry reagent
dipstick-type sensors and surface plasmon resonance sensors. The application of
visible/near-infrared (vis/NIR) spectroscopy or mass spectrometry combined with
chemometrics techniques has also been envisaged as a powerful GMO detection tool.
Furthermore, in order to cope with the multiplicity of GMOs released onto the
market, the new challenge is the development of routine detection systems for the
simultaneous detection of numerous GMOs, including unknown GMOs.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 18537027 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

43: Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2007 Dec;57(4):313-5.

[Orthorexia or when a healthy diet becomes an obsession]

[Article in Spanish]

Bartrina JA.

Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud PГєblica, Universidad de Navarra,
EspaГ±a.

Orthorexia is an obsessive-compulsive process characterized by extreme care for
and selection of what is considered to be pure 'healthy' food. This ritual leads 
to a very restrictive diet and social isolation as a compensation. Orthorexics
obsessively avoid foods which may contain artificial colours, flavours,
preservant agents, pesticide residues or genetically modified ingredients,
unhealthy fats, foods containing too much salt or too much sugar and other
components. The way of preparation, kitchenware and other tools used are also
part of the obsessive ritual. People with orthorexia often have a history or
features in common with anorexic patients. They are very careful, detailed and
tidy persons with an exagerated need for selfcare and protection. Women,
adolescents and those who practice sports suchs as bodybuidling or ahthetics are 
the gruops at higher risk. A short test has been suggested as a screening tool
and useful for early diagnosis of the disorder. Treatment of orthorexia require a
multidisciplinary team involving physicians, psychoterapists and dietitians. In
some cases, antiserotoninergic drugs may be required as part of the treatment.

Publication Types: 
    English Abstract

PMID: 18524314 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

44: Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17 Suppl 1:91-4.

Human health problems associated with current agricultural food production.

Bhat RV.

Secretary General, Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies, Centre for Science,
Society and Culture M 11, Kakateeyanagar, Habshiguda, Hyderabad- 500 007, India. 
rameshvbhat@yahoo.com

Scientific and technological developments in the agricultural sectors in the
recent past has resulted in increased food production and at the same time led to
certain public health concerns. Unseasonal rains at the time of harvest and
improper post harvest technology often results in agricultural commodities being 
contaminated with certain fungi and results in the production of mycotoxins.
Consumption of such commodities has resulted in human disease outbreaks.
Naturally occurring toxins, inherently present in foods and either consumed as
such or mixed up with grains, had been responsible for disease outbreaks. Other
possible causes of health concern include the application of various
agrochemicals such as pesticides and the use of antibiotics in aquaculture and
veterinary practices. Foodborne pathogens entering the food chain during both
traditional and organic agriculture pose a challenge to public health. Modern
biotechnology, producing genetically modified foods, if not regulated
appropriately could pose dangers to human health. Use of various integrated food 
management systems like the Hazard Analysis and critical control system approach 
for risk prevention, monitoring and control of food hazards are being emphasized 
with globalization to minimise the danger posed to human health from improper
agricultural practices.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 18296310 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

45: Clin Exp Allergy. 2008 Jul;38(7):1095-99.

What is a food allergen?

Lucas JS, Atkinson RG.

Division of Infection Inflammation and Repair, University of Southampton,
Southampton, UK. jlucas1@soton.ac.uk

With the increasing prevalence of allergies, accurate identification of allergens
is a major priority for allergists, scientists, the food industry, and food
regulators. Knowledge of allergens is essential for risk assessment of novel
genetically modified (GM) foods, and to develop recombinant proteins for the
treatment and diagnosis of allergies. This Opinion Paper considers the lack of
standardization for the clinical and scientific assessment of proteins before
they are labelled as allergens. Food allergens are being reported and recorded in
allergen databases, with minimal or in some cases apparently no published
justification. IgE binding, rather than clinically relevant reactivity, is
inappropriately used to confirm allergenicity. Using kiwifruit as an example, the
lack of rigor in identifying allergenic proteins is considered.

PMID: 18498418 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

46: Georgian Med News. 2008 Apr;(157):39-44.

IgE-mediated food hypersensitivity disorders.

Gotua M, Lomidze N, Dolidze N, Gotua T.

Food allergy has become a serious health concern especially in developed
countries in the past two decades. In general population approximately 4-6% of
children and 1-3% of adults experience food allergy. The article reviews
IgE-mediated food hypersensitivity disorders. Epidemiology, Mechanism, Clinical
manifestations, Genetically modified crops (GMOs), Diagnosis, Prevention and
Treatment of IgE-mediated food allergies are discussed. The investigations show
that over 90% of IgE-mediated food allergies in childhood are caused by: cow's
milk, hen's egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish and shellfish. Also the
causes of food allergy are food additives, genetically modified crops. Risk
factors for food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis include asthma and
previous allergic reactions to the causative food. Food allergy is one of the
most common causes of systematic anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions, with an
annual incidence of four cases per million populations and estimated 500 deaths
annually. In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms, individuals may experience
urticaria, angioedema, atopic dermatitis, oral syndrome, asthma, rhinitis,
conjunctivitis, hypotension, shock and cardiac arrhythmias, caused by the massive
release of mediators from mast cells and basophiles. Diagnosis of food allergy is
based on history, detailed dietary analysis, skin testing, measuring specific IgE
in blood serum and challenge tests. Treatment and prevention includes: avoidance 
diet, application of auto-injectable epinephrine, H1 and H2 antihistamines,
corticosteroids, antileukotrienes, prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, cromolyn 
sodium, etc.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 18487689 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

47: Appl Environ Microbiol. 2008 Jul;74(14):4381-9. Epub 2008 May 16.

Effectiveness of Bacillus thuringiensis-transgenic chickpeas and the
entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in controlling Helicoverpa
armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Lawo NC, Mahon RJ, Milner RJ, Sarmah BK, Higgins TJ, Romeis J.

Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Reckenholzstr. 191, 8046
Zurich, Switzerland.

The use of genetically modified (Bt) crops expressing lepidopteran-specific Cry
proteins derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is an effective
method to control the polyphagous pest Helicoverpa armigera. As H. armigera
potentially develops resistance to Cry proteins, Bt crops should be regarded as
one tool in integrated pest management. Therefore, they should be compatible with
biological control. Bioassays were conducted to understand the interactions
between a Cry2Aa-expressing chickpea line, either a susceptible or a
Cry2A-resistant H. armigera strain, and the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium
anisopliae. In a first concentration-response assay, Cry2A-resistant larvae were 
more tolerant of M. anisopliae than susceptible larvae, while in a second
bioassay, the fungus caused similar mortalities in the two strains fed control
chickpea leaves. Thus, resistance to Cry2A did not cause any fitness costs that
became visible as increased susceptibility to the fungus. On Bt chickpea leaves, 
susceptible H. armigera larvae were more sensitive to M. anisopliae than on
control leaves. It appeared that sublethal damage induced by the B. thuringiensis
toxin enhanced the effectiveness of M. anisopliae. For Cry2A-resistant larvae,
the mortalities caused by the fungus were similar when they were fed either food 
source. To examine which strain would be more likely to be exposed to the fungus,
their movements on control and Bt chickpea plants were compared. Movement did not
appear to differ among larvae on Bt or conventional chickpeas, as indicated by
the number of leaflets damaged per leaf. The findings suggest that Bt chickpeas
and M. anisopliae are compatible to control H. armigera.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18487396 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

48: FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2008 Jun;283(1):62-8. Epub 2008 Apr 16.

Intragastric administration with recombinant Lactococcus lactis producing heme
oxygenase-1 prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia in rats.

Pang Q, Ji Y, Li Y, BermГєdez-HumarГЎn LG, Hu G, Zeng Y.

Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

Gut injury is a pivotal initiating event in the dysfunctional inflammatory
response that causes postinjury multiple organ failure. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)
is an important enzyme that provides cellular protection against oxidative stress
in different in vitro and in vivo systems. In this study, we evaluated the
protective effects of intragastrically administered live Lactococcus lactis
secreting bioactive HO-1 to treat intestinal mucosal injury induced by
lipopolysaccharide in rats. Intragastric administration with this recombinant L. 
lactis strain led to active delivery of HO-1 at the mucosa and significantly
decreased morbidity and mortality of lipopolysaccharide -induced endotoxemia as
confirmed by blinded macroscopic and microscopic inflammatory scores (Chiu's
grade), myeloperoxidase activity, mortality, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and 
IL-10 cytokine stimulation. This protective effect could be abolished by an HO-1 
inhibitor, the zinc protoporphyrin-IX. Our results suggest that a food-grade
bacterium genetically modified to deliver bioactive HO-1 in situ exerts a
protective effect against intestinal mucosal injury in rats with endotoxemia via 
modulation of the immune system. This novel approach may be beneficial for the
maintenance of the intestinal barrier and anti-inflammatory response of the lower
intestine.

PMID: 18422629 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

49: Transgenic Res. 2008 Dec;17(6):1059-77. Epub 2008 Apr 11.

Environmental impact of herbicide regimes used with genetically modified
herbicide-resistant maize.

Devos Y, Cougnon M, Vergucht S, Bulcke R, Haesaert G, Steurbaut W, Reheul D.

Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent
University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Yann.Devos@UGent.be

With the potential advent of genetically modified herbicide-resistant (GMHR)
crops in the European Union, changes in patterns of herbicide use are predicted. 
Broad-spectrum, non-selective herbicides used with GMHR crops are expected to
substitute for a set of currently used herbicides, which might alter the
agro-environmental footprint from crop production. To test this hypothesis, the
environmental impact of various herbicide regimes currently used with non-GMHR
maize in Belgium was calculated and compared with that of possible herbicide
regimes applied in GMHR maize. Impacts on human health and the environment were
calculated through the pesticide occupational and environmental risk (POCER)
indicator. Results showed that the environmental impact of herbicide regimes
solely relying on the active ingredients glyphosate (GLY) or glufosinate-ammonium
(GLU) is lower than that of herbicide regimes applied in non-GMHR maize. Due to
the lower potential of GLY and GLU to contaminate ground water and their lower
acute toxicity to aquatic organisms, the POCER exceedence factor values for the
environment were reduced approximately by a sixth when GLY or GLU is used alone. 
However, the environmental impact of novel herbicide regimes tested may be
underestimated due to the assumption that active ingredients used with GMHR maize
would be used alone. Data retrieved from literature suggest that weed control
efficacy is increased and resistance development delayed when GLY or GLU is used 
together with other herbicides in the GMHR system. Due to the partial instead of 
complete replacement of currently used herbicide regimes, the beneficial
environmental impact of novel herbicide regimes might sometimes be reduced or
counterbalanced. Despite the high weed control efficacy provided by the
biotechnology-based weed management strategy, neither indirect harmful effects on
farmland biodiversity through losses in food resources and shelter, nor shifts in
weed communities have been demonstrated in GMHR maize yet. However, with the
increasing adoption rate of GMHR maize and their associated novel herbicide
regimes, this situation is expected to change in the short-term.

PMID: 18404410 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

50: Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Jun;46(6):2201-13. Epub 2008 Feb 29.

Subchronic feeding study of herbicide-tolerant soybean DP-356Ø43-5 in
Sprague-Dawley rats.

Appenzeller LM, Munley SM, Hoban D, Sykes GP, Malley LA, Delaney B.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Johnston, IA, USA.

Optimum GAT1 soybean is a genetically modified (GM) soybean containing event
DP-356Ø43-5 (356043) that was produced by integration of the coding sequences of 
the GAT4601 and GM-HRA proteins. In planta expression of these proteins confers
tolerance to glyphosate and sulfonylurea/imidazolinone herbicides, respectively. 
This paper reports the results from a subchronic rat feeding study conducted with
356043 soybeans. Dehulled/defatted toasted meal and toasted ground hulls were
prepared from soybeans from untreated plants (356043), herbicide-treated plants
(356043+Gly/SU), non-transgenic isoline control (091), and three commercial
non-transgenic reference varieties (93B86, 93B15, and 93M40). Individual diets
conforming to standard certified rodent chow formulation (Purina Rodent LabDiet) 
5002) were prepared with 20% meal (w/w) and 1.5% hulls (w/w). Diets were fed to
young adult Sprague-Dawley rats (12/sex/group) for at least 93 days. Compared
with rats fed the isoline control or conventional reference diets, no
biologically-relevant, adverse effects were observed in rats fed diets containing
356043 or 356043+Gly/SU soybean with respect to body weight/gain, food
consumption/efficiency, clinical signs, mortality, ophthalmology, neurobehavioral
assessments (sensory response, grip strength, motor activity), clinical pathology
(hematology, coagulation, serum chemistry, urinalysis), organ weights, and gross 
and microscopic pathology. The results from this study indicate that 356043
soybeans are as safe and nutritious as conventional non-GM soybeans.

PMID: 18403083 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

51: Br J Nutr. 2008 Feb;99 Suppl 1:S22-5.

Influence of parental attitudes in the development of children eating behaviour.

Scaglioni S, Salvioni M, Galimberti C.

Pediatric Clinic S. Paolo Hospital University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
silviascaglioni@unimi.it

The present paper is a review of available data on effects of parental feeding
attitudes and styles on child nutritional behaviour. Food preferences develop
from genetically determined predispositions to like sweet and salty flavours and 
to dislike bitter and sour tastes. There is evidence for existence of some
innate, automatic mechanism that regulate appetite. However, from birth genetic
predispositions are modified by experience. There are mechanisms of taste
development: mere exposure, medicine effect, flavour learning, flavour nutrient
learning. Parents play a pivotal role in the development of their child's food
preferences and energy intake, with research indicating that certain child
feeding practices, such as exerting excessive control over what and how much
children eat, may contribute to childhood overweight. Mothers are of particular
interest on children's eating behaviour, as they have been shown to spend
significantly more time than fathers in direct interactions with their children
across several familial situations.A recent paper describes two primary aspects
of control: restriction, which involves restricting children's access to junk
foods and restricting the total amount of food, and pressure, which involves
pressuring children to eat healthy foods (usually fruits and vegetables) and
pressuring to eat more in general.The results showed significant correlations
between parent and child for reported nutritional behaviour like food intake,
eating motivations, and body dis- and satisfaction. Parents create environments
for children that may foster the development of healthy eating behaviours and
weight, or that may promote overweight and aspects of disordered eating. In
conclusion positive parental role model may be a better method for improving a
child's diet than attempts at dietary control.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 18257948 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

52: Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 May;46 Suppl 2:S71-97. Epub 2008 Feb 2.

Evaluation of protein safety in the context of agricultural biotechnology.

Delaney B, Astwood JD, Cunny H, Conn RE, Herouet-Guicheney C, Macintosh S, Meyer 
LS, Privalle L, Gao Y, Mattsson J, Levine M; ILSI International Food
Biotechnology Committee Task Force on Protein Safety.

Collaborators: Privalle L, Zhou J, Eichen-Conn R, Juberg D, Bannon G, Delaney B, 
Meyer L.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, A DuPont Company, Johnston, IA, USA.

One component of the safety assessment of agricultural products produced through 
biotechnology is evaluation of the safety of newly expressed proteins. The ILSI
International Food Biotechnology Committee has developed a scientifically based
two-tiered, weight-of-evidence strategy to assess the safety of novel proteins
used in the context of agricultural biotechnology. Recommendations draw upon
knowledge of the biological and chemical characteristics of proteins and testing 
methods for evaluating potential intrinsic hazards of chemicals. Tier I
(potential hazard identification) includes an assessment of the biological
function or mode of action and intended application of the protein, history of
safe use, comparison of the amino acid sequence of the protein to other proteins,
as well as the biochemical and physico-chemical properties of the proteins.
Studies outlined in Tier II (hazard characterization) are conducted when the
results from Tier I are not sufficient to allow a determination of safety
(reasonable certainty of no harm) on a case-by-case basis. These studies may
include acute and repeated dose toxicology studies and hypothesis-based testing. 
The application of these guidelines is presented using examples of transgenic
proteins applied for agricultural input and output traits in genetically modified
crops along with recommendations for future research considerations related to
protein safety assessment.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    Review

PMID: 18348900 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

53: Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2008 Nov;55(4):584-92. Epub 2008 Mar 18.

Reduced fitness of Daphnia magna fed a Bt-transgenic maize variety.

BГёhn T, Primicerio R, Hessen DO, Traavik T.

GenГёk-Centre for Biosafety, The Science Park, P.O. Box 6418, Tromso, 9294,
Norway. thomas@genok.org

Genetically modified (GM) maize expressing the Bt-toxin Cry1Ab (Bt-maize) was
tested for effects on survival, growth, and reproduction of the water flea
Daphnia magna, a crustacean arthropod commonly used as a model organism in
ecotoxicological studies. In three repeated experiments, D. magna were fed 100%
ground maize in suspension, using either GM or isogenic unmodified (UM) maize. D.
magna fed GM-maize showed a significantly reduced fitness performance: The
mortality was higher, a lower proportion of females reached sexual maturation,
and the overall egg production was lower compared to D. magna fed UM isogenic
maize. We conclude that the tested variety of Bt-maize and its UM counterpart do 
not have the same quality as food sources for this widely used model organism.
The combination of a reduced fitness performance combined with earlier onset of
reproduction of D. magna fed Bt-maize indicates a toxic effect rather than a
lower nutritional value of the GM-maize.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18347840 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

54: Appetite. 2008 Jul;51(1):129-36. Epub 2008 Feb 7.

Acceptance of genetically modified foods: the relation between technology and
evaluation.

TenbГјlt P, De Vries NK, van Breukelen G, Dreezens E, Martijn C.

Department of Health Education and Promotion, Universiteit Maastricht, The
Netherlands. p.m.a.tenbult@uvt.nl

This study investigates why consumers accept different genetically modified food 
products to different extents. The study shows that whether food products are
genetically modified or not and whether they are processed or not are the two
important features that affect the acceptance of food products and their
evaluation (in terms of perceived healthiness, naturalness, necessity and
tastiness). The extent to which these evaluation attributes and acceptance of a
product are affected by genetic modification or processing depends on whether the
product is negatively affected by the other technology: Any technological change 
to a 'natural' product (when nonprocessed products are genetically modified or
when non-genetically modified products are processed) affect evaluation and
acceptance stronger than a change to an technologically adapted product (when
processed products are also genetically modified or vice versa). Furthermore,
evaluation attributes appear to mediate the effects of genetic modification and
processing on acceptance.

Publication Types: 
    Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 18336952 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

55: Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Mar;46 Suppl 1:S2-70. Epub 2008 Feb 13.

Safety and nutritional assessment of GM plants and derived food and feed: the
role of animal feeding trials.

EFSA GMO Panel Working Group on Animal Feeding Trials.

Collaborators: Alink G, Barlow S, Cockburn A, Flachowsky G, Knudsen I, Kuiper H, 
Massin DP, Pascal G, Peijnenburg A, Phipps R, PГ¶ting A, Poulsen M, Seinen W,
Spielmann H, van Loveren H, Wal JM, Williams A, Andersson HC, Arpaia S, Bartsch
D, Casacuberta J, Davies H, De Loose M, Hendriksen N, Herman L, Kärenlampi S,
Kiss J, Kryspin-SГёrensen I, Kuiper H, Nes I, Panopoulos N, Perry J, PГ¶ting A,
Schiemann J, Seinen W, Sweet J, Wal JM.

In this report the various elements of the safety and nutritional assessment
procedure for genetically modified (GM) plant derived food and feed are
discussed, in particular the potential and limitations of animal feeding trials
for the safety and nutritional testing of whole GM food and feed. The general
principles for the risk assessment of GM plants and derived food and feed are
followed, as described in the EFSA guidance document of the EFSA Scientific Panel
on Genetically Modified Organisms. In Section 1 the mandate, scope and general
principles for risk assessment of GM plant derived food and feed are discussed.
Products under consideration are food and feed derived from GM plants, such as
maize, soybeans, oilseed rape and cotton, modified through the introduction of
one or more genes coding for agronomic input traits like herbicide tolerance
and/or insect resistance. Furthermore GM plant derived food and feed, which have 
been obtained through extensive genetic modifications targeted at specific
alterations of metabolic pathways leading to improved nutritional and/or health
characteristics, such as rice containing beta-carotene, soybeans with enhanced
oleic acid content, or tomato with increased concentration of flavonoids, are
considered. The safety assessment of GM plants and derived food and feed follows 
a comparative approach, i.e. the food and feed are compared with their non-GM
counterparts in order to identify intended and unintended (unexpected)
differences which subsequently are assessed with respect to their potential
impact on the environment, safety for humans and animals, and nutritional
quality. Key elements of the assessment procedure are the molecular,
compositional, phenotypic and agronomic analysis in order to identify
similarities and differences between the GM plant and its near isogenic
counterpart. The safety assessment is focussed on (i) the presence and
characteristics of newly expressed proteins and other new constituents and
possible changes in the level of natural constituents beyond normal variation,
and on the characteristics of the GM food and feed, and (ii) the possible
occurrence of unintended (unexpected) effects in GM plants due to genetic
modification. In order to identify these effects a comparative phenotypic and
molecular analysis of the GM plant and its near isogenic counterpart is carried
out, in parallel with a targeted analysis of single specific compounds, which
represent important metabolic pathways in the plant like macro and micro
nutrients, known anti-nutrients and toxins. Significant differences may be
indicative of the occurrence of unintended effects, which require further
investigation. Section 2 provides an overview of studies performed for the safety
and nutritional assessment of whole food and feed. Extensive experience has been 
built up in recent decades from the safety and nutritional testing in animals of 
irradiated foods, novel foods and fruit and vegetables. These approaches are also
relevant for the safety and nutritional testing of whole GM food and feed. Many
feeding trials have been reported in which GM foods like maize, potatoes, rice,
soybeans and tomatoes have been fed to rats or mice for prolonged periods, and
parameters such as body weight, feed consumption, blood chemistry, organ weights,
histopathology etc have been measured. The food and feed under investigation were
derived from GM plants with improved agronomic characteristics like herbicide
tolerance and/or insect resistance. The majority of these experiments did not
indicate clinical effects or histopathological abnormalities in organs or tissues
of exposed animals. In some cases adverse effects were noted, which were
difficult to interpret due to shortcomings in the studies. Many studies have also
been carried out with feed derived from GM plants with agronomic input traits in 
target animal species to assess the nutritive value of the feed and their
performance potential. Studies in sheep, pigs, broilers, lactating dairy cows,
and fish, comparing the in vivo bioavailability of nutrients from a range of GM
plants with their near isogenic counterpart and commercial varieties, showed that
they were comparable with those for near isogenic non-GM lines and commercial
varieties. In Section 3 toxicological in vivo, in silico, and in vitro test
methods are discussed which may be applied for the safety and nutritional
assessment of specific compounds present in food and feed or of whole food and
feed derived from GM plants. Moreover the purpose, potential and limitations of
the 90-day rodent feeding trial for the safety and nutritional testing of whole
food and feed have been examined. Methods for single and repeated dose toxicity
testing, reproductive and developmental toxicity testing and immunotoxicity
testing, as described in OECD guideline tests for single well-defined chemicals
are discussed and considered to be adequate for the safety testing of single
substances including new products in GM food and feed. Various in silico and in
vitro methods may contribute to the safety assessment of GM plant derived food
and feed and components thereof, like (i) in silico searches for sequence
homology and/or structural similarity of novel proteins or their degradation
products to known toxic or allergenic proteins, (ii) simulated gastric and
intestinal fluids in order to study the digestive stability of newly expressed
proteins and in vitro systems for analysis of the stability of the novel protein 
under heat or other processing conditions, and (iii) in vitro genotoxicity test
methods that screen for point mutations, chromosomal aberrations and DNA
damage/repair. The current performance of the safety assessment of whole foods is
mainly based on the protocols for low-molecular-weight chemicals such as
pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, pesticides, food additives and
contaminants. However without adaptation, these protocols have limitations for
testing of whole food and feed. This primarily results from the fact that defined
single substances can be dosed to laboratory animals at very large multiples of
the expected human exposure, thus giving a large margin of safety. In contrast
foodstuffs are bulky, lead to satiation and can only be included in the diet at
much lower multiples of expected human intakes. When testing whole foods, the
possible highest concentration of the GM food and feed in the laboratory animal
diet may be limited because of nutritional imbalance of the diet, or by the
presence of compounds with a known toxicological profile. The aim of the 90-days 
rodent feeding study with the whole GM food and feed is to assess potential
unintended effects of toxicological and/or nutritional relevance and to establish
whether the GM food and feed is as safe and nutritious as its traditional
comparator rather than determining qualitative and quantitative intrinsic
toxicity of defined food constituents. The design of the study should be adapted 
from the OECD 90-day rodent toxicity study. The precise study design has to take 
into account the nature of the food and feed and the characteristics of the new
trait(s) and their intended role in the GM food and feed. A 90-day animal feeding
trial has a large capacity (sensitivity and specificity) to detect potential
toxicological effects of single well defined compounds. This can be concluded
from data reported on the toxicology of a wide range of industrial chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, food substances, environmental, and agricultural chemicals. It
is possible to model the sensitivity of the rat subchronic feeding study for the 
detection of hypothetically increased amount of compounds such as anti-nutrients,
toxicants or secondary metabolites. With respect to the detection of potential
unintended effects in whole GM food and feed, it is unlikely that substances
present in small amounts and with a low toxic potential will result in any
observable (unintended) effects in a 90-day rodent feeding study, as they would
be below the no-observed-effect-level and thus of unlikely impact to human health
at normal intake levels. Laboratory animal feeding studies of 90-days duration
appear to be sufficient to pick up adverse effects of diverse compounds that
would also give adverse effects after chronic exposure. This conclusion is based 
on literature data from studies investigating whether toxicological effects are
adequately identified in 3-month subchronic studies in rodents, by comparing
findings at 3 and 24 months for a range of different chemicals. The 90-day rodent
feeding study is not designed to detect effects on reproduction or development
other than effects on adult reproductive organ weights and histopathology.
Analyses of available data indicate that, for a wide range of substances,
reproductive and developmental effects are not potentially more sensitive
endpoints than those examined in subchronic toxicity tests. Should there be
structural alerts for reproductive/developmental effects or other indications
from data available on a GM food and feed, then these tests should be considered.
By relating the estimated daily intake, or theoretical maximum daily intake per
capita for a given whole food (or the sum of its individual commercial
constituents) to that consumed on average per rat per day in the subchronic
90-day feeding study, it is possible to establish the margin of exposure (safety 
margin) for consumers. Results obtained from testing GM food and feed in rodents 
indicate that large (at least 100-fold) 'safety' margins exist between animal
exposure levels without observed adverse effects and estimated human daily
intake. Results of feeding studies with feed derived from GM plants with improved
agronomic properties, carried out in a wide range of livestock species, are
discussed. The studies did not show any biologically relevant differences in the 
parameters tested between control and test animals. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 18328408 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

56: Plant Cell Rep. 2008 Jun;27(6):1027-38. Epub 2008 Mar 8.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of poinsettia, Euphorbia
pulcherrima, with virus-derived hairpin RNA constructs confers resistance to
Poinsettia mosaic virus.

Clarke JL, Spetz C, Haugslien S, Xing S, Dees MW, Moe R, Blystad DR.

Plant Health and Plant Protection Division, Norwegian Institute for Agricultural 
and Environmental Research, Hoegskoleveien 7, 1432 Aas, Norway.
jihong.liu-clarke@bioforsk.no

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima
Willd. Ex Klotzsch) is reported here for the first time. Internode stem explants 
of poinsettia cv. Millenium were transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, strain
LBA 4404, harbouring virus-derived hairpin (hp) RNA gene constructs to induce RNA
silencing-mediated resistance to Poinsettia mosaic virus (PnMV). Prior to
transformation, an efficient somatic embryogenesis system was developed for
poinsettia cv. Millenium in which about 75% of the explants produced somatic
embryos. In 5 experiments utilizing 868 explants, 18 independent transgenic lines
were generated. An average transformation frequency of 2.1% (range 1.2-3.5%) was 
revealed. Stable integration of transgenes into the poinsettia nuclear genome was
confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Both single- and multiple-copy
transgene integration into the poinsettia genome were found among transformants. 
Transgenic poinsettia plants showing resistance to mechanical inoculation of PnMV
were detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(DAS-ELISA). Northern blot analysis of low molecular weight RNA revealed that
transgene-derived small interfering (si) RNA molecules were detected among the
poinsettia transformants prior to inoculation. The Agrobacterium-mediated
transformation methodology developed in the current study should facilitate
improvement of this ornamental plant with enhanced disease resistance, quality
improvement and desirable colour alteration. Because poinsettia is a non-food,
non-feed plant and is not propagated through sexual reproduction, this is likely 
to be more acceptable even in areas where genetically modified crops are
currently not cultivated.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18327592 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

57: Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Jun;46(6):1976-84. Epub 2008 Feb 2.

Impact of Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ab on rumen epithelial cells (REC) - a
new in vitro model for safety assessment of recombinant food compounds.

Bondzio A, Stumpff F, SchГ¶n J, Martens H, Einspanier R.

Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, 
14163 Berlin, Germany. bondzio@zedat.fu-berlin.de

The growing use of genetically modified crops necessitates viable screening
methods for safety evaluation of recombinant feed, particularly for ruminants. A 
new sheep rumen epithelial cell culture is introduced as an in vitro cell system 
for safety evaluation especially focussing on feed and food compounds. We used
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, WST-1 conversion, ATP content and caspase
3/7 activity to evaluate cytotoxicity of Cry1Ab, one of the newly expressed
Bt-proteins in transgene maize. The results were compared to the effects of
valinomycin, a potassium ionophore known to induce cytotoxic effects on a wide
range of cells. Whereas no toxicity of Cry1Ab was observed in short as well as in
long term experiments, even at non-physiological high concentrations, exposure to
valinomycin induced apoptosis and a significant response of all viability
parameters after a number of hours. The ATP content and the WST-1 conversion
reflecting the energy metabolism of the cells appear to be more sensitive
indicators of valinomycin toxicity than the LDH release, a parameter which
reflects the membrane integrity. This study presents an in vitro model system,
that may be useful as a supplementary tool in toxicity screening before testing
substances on animals in vivo.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18325653 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

58: BMC Biotechnol. 2008 Mar 6;8:26.

Comparison of different real-time PCR chemistries and their suitability for
detection and quantification of genetically modified organisms.

Buh Gasparic M, Cankar K, Zel J, Gruden K.

Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology,
Vecna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. meti.buh.gasparic@nib.si

BACKGROUND: The real-time polymerase chain reaction is currently the method of
choice for quantifying nucleic acids in different DNA based quantification
applications. It is widely used also for detecting and quantifying genetically
modified components in food and feed, predominantly employing TaqMan and SYBR
Green real-time PCR chemistries. In our study four alternative chemistries: Lux, 
Plexor, Cycling Probe Technology and LNA were extensively evaluated and compared 
using TaqMan chemistry as a reference system. RESULTS: Amplicons were designed on
the maize invertase gene and the 5'-junction of inserted transgene and plant
genomic DNA in MON 810 event. Real-time assays were subsequently compared for
their efficiency in PCR amplification, limits of detection and quantification,
repeatability and accuracy to test the performance of the assays. Additionally,
the specificity of established assays was checked on various transgenic and
non-transgenic plant species. The overall applicability of the designed assays
was evaluated, adding practicability and costs issues to the performance
characteristics. CONCLUSION: Although none of the chemistries significantly
outperformed the others, there are certain characteristics that suggest that LNA 
technology is an alternative to TaqMan when designing assays for quantitative
analysis. Because LNA probes are much shorter they might be especially
appropriate when high specificity is required and where the design of a common
TaqMan probe is difficult or even impossible due to sequence characteristics.
Plexor on the other hand might be a method of choice for qualitative analysis
when sensitivity, low cost and simplicity of use prevail.

Publication Types: 
    Comparative Study
    Evaluation Studies
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18325084 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

59: Eur J Nutr. 2008 Mar;47(2):99-103. Epub 2008 Mar 4.

Zeaxanthin is bioavailable from genetically modified zeaxanthin-rich potatoes.

Bub A, MГ¶seneder J, Wenzel G, Rechkemmer G, Briviba K.

Federal Research Centre for Nutrition and Food, Institute of Nutritional
Physiology, Haid-und-Neu-Str. 9, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany. achim.bub@bfel.de

The carotenoid zeaxanthin accumulates in the human macula lutea and protects
retinal cells from blue light damage. However, zeaxanthin intake from food
sources is low. Increasing zeaxanthin in common foods such as potatoes by
traditional plant breeding or by genetic engineering could contribute to an
increased intake of this carotenoid and, consequently, to a decreased risk of
age-related macular degeneration. Our aim was to investigate whether zeaxanthin
from genetically modified zeaxanthin-rich potatoes is bioavailable in humans.
Three men participated in this randomized, controlled double-blinded, crossover
pilot study. All subjects consumed 1,100 g of mashed potatoes, either genetically
modified (Solanum tuberosum L. var. Baltica GM47/18; 3 mg zeaxanthin) or
wild-type control potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. var. Baltica; 0.14 mg
zeaxanthin). A second treatment was followed after a 7-day wash-out period. The
concentration of zeaxanthin was significantly increased in chylomicrons after
consumption of genetically modified potatoes and 0.27 mg of the 3 mg zeaxanthin
dose could be detected in chylomicrons. Consumption of control potatoes had no
effect on concentrations of zeaxanthin in chylomicrons. After normalization of
chylomicron zeaxanthin for plasma triacylglycerol, the time course of zeaxanthin 
concentrations peaked at 7 h after consumption of genetically modified potatoes. 
There were no significant differences in the concentrations of other major potato
carotenoids such as lutein and beta-carotene in chylomicrons after consumption of
genetically modified and wild type control potatoes. Thus, consumption of
zeaxanthin-rich potatoes significantly increases chylomicron zeaxanthin
concentrations suggesting that potentially such potatoes could be used as an
important dietary source of zeaxanthin.

Publication Types: 
    Randomized Controlled Trial
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18320254 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

60: J Immunol Methods. 2008 Apr 20;333(1-2):156-66. Epub 2008 Feb 20.

Hybridoma populations enriched for affinity-matured human IgGs yield
high-affinity antibodies specific for botulinum neurotoxins.

Adekar SP, Jones RM, Elias MD, Al-Saleem FH, Root MJ, Simpson LL, Dessain SK.

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research and Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas
Jefferson University, 1015 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States.

The affinity-matured human antibody repertoire may be ideal as a source for
antibody therapeutics against infectious diseases and bioterror agents. Hybridoma
methods for cloning these antibodies have many potential advantages, including
convenience, high-yield antibody expression, and the ability to capture the
antibodies in their native configurations. However, they have been hindered by
hybridoma instability and limited accessibility of antigen-specific,
class-switched human B-cells. Here, we describe an efficient, three-step method
that uses human peripheral blood B-cells to produce stable hybridoma populations 
that are highly-enriched for affinity-matured human IgG antibodies. Peripheral
blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are (a) selected for expression of CD27, a marker
of post-germinal center B-cells, (b) cultured in vitro to promote B-cell
proliferation and class-switching, and (c) fused to a genetically modified
myeloma cell line. Using this strategy, we cloned 5 IgG antibodies that bind
botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT), the causes of the food-borne paralytic illness,
botulism, and Category A Select Bioterror agents. Two of these antibodies bind
BoNT with low picomolar affinities. One (30B) is the first high-affinity human
antibody to bind serotype B BoNT, and another (6A) is able to neutralize a lethal
dose of serotype A BoNT in vivo in pre- and post-exposure models. This optimized 
hybridoma method will broadly enable access to the native human antibody
repertoire.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18313069 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

61: J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Mar 26;56(6):1818-28. Epub 2008 Feb 28.

Development of a real-time PCR method for the differential detection and
quantification of four solanaceae in GMO analysis: potato (Solanum tuberosum),
tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), eggplant (Solanum melongena), and pepper (Capsicum
annuum).

Chaouachi M, El Malki R, Berard A, Romaniuk M, Laval V, Brunel D, Bertheau Y.

UnitГ© Etude du Polymorphisme des GГ©nomes VГ©gГ©taux (EPGV) UR1279, Centre National 
de GГ©notypage (CNG), 2 rue Gaston CrГ©mieux 91057, CP5721, Evry cedex, France.

The labeling of products containing genetically modified organisms (GMO) is
linked to their quantification since a threshold for the presence of fortuitous
GMOs in food has been established. This threshold is calculated from a
combination of two absolute quantification values: one for the specific GMO
target and the second for an endogenous reference gene specific to the taxon.
Thus, the development of reliable methods to quantify GMOs using endogenous
reference genes in complex matrixes such as food and feed is needed. Plant
identification can be difficult in the case of closely related taxa, which
moreover are subject to introgression events. Based on the homology of
beta-fructosidase sequences obtained from public databases, two couples of
consensus primers were designed for the detection, quantification, and
differentiation of four Solanaceae: potato (Solanum tuberosum), tomato (Solanum
lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), and eggplant (Solanum melongena).
Sequence variability was studied first using lines and cultivars (intraspecies
sequence variability), then using taxa involved in gene introgressions, and
finally, using taxonomically close taxa (interspecies sequence variability). This
study allowed us to design four highly specific TaqMan-MGB probes. A duplex real 
time PCR assay was developed for simultaneous quantification of tomato and
potato. For eggplant and pepper, only simplex real time PCR tests were developed.
The results demonstrated the high specificity and sensitivity of the assays. We
therefore conclude that beta-fructosidase can be used as an endogenous reference 
gene for GMO analysis.

Publication Types: 
    Comparative Study
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18303841 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

62: Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2008 Jan;23(1):52-8.

[Academic production on food labeling in Brazil]

[Article in Portuguese]

CГўmara MC, Marinho CL, Guilam MC, Braga AM.

FundaГ§ГЈo Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Centro de Estudos da SaГєde do Trabalhador e
Ecologia Humana (CESTEH), Brazil. maria.clara@ensp.fiocruz.br

OBJECTIVE: To review and discuss academic production (theses and dissertations)
on the topic of labeling of prepackaged foods in Brazil. METHOD: A search of the 
database maintained by the Coordination for the Development of Higher Education
Professionals (CAPES), one of the two Brazilian government research funding and
support agencies, was conducted on the following keywords: "rotulagem"
(labeling), "rotulagem nutricional" (food labeling) and "rГіtulo de alimentos"
(food labels). The search covered the years 1987 (earliest year available) to
2004. RESULTS: We identified 49 studies on this topic. Content analysis
identified three major themes: the extent to which food labels meet specific
legal requirements (57.2%); the degree to which consumers understand the
information on labels (22.4%); and the labeling of transgenic or
genetically-modified foods (20.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Food labeling is a frequent
topic and is adequately covered by the Brazilian academic production. In most of 
the studies, ineffective law enforcement appears to be the main factor in the
lack of compliance with and disrespect for the food labeling rules and
regulations in Brazil.

Publication Types: 
    English Abstract
    Review

PMID: 18291073 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

63: Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Dec 25. [Epub ahead of print]

Identification of potentially emerging food safety issues by analysis of reports 
published by the European Community's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed
(RASFF) during a four-year period.

Kleter GA, Prandini A, Filippi L, Marvin HJ.

RIKILT – Institute of Food Safety, Wageningen University and Research Center,
P.O. Box 230, NL-6700 AE Wageningen, The Netherlands.

The SAFE FOODS project undertakes to design a new approach towards the early
identification of emerging food safety hazards. This study explored the utility
of notifications filed through RASFF, the European Commission's Rapid Alert
System for Food and Feed, to identify emerging trends in food safety issues.
RASFF information and alert notifications published in the four-year period of
July 2003-June 2007 were assigned to categories of products and hazards. For
chronological trend analysis, a basic time unit of three months was chosen. Data 
within each hazard category were analyzed for chronological trends, relationships
between product and hazard categories, regions of origin, and countries filing
the notifications. Conspicuous trends that were observed included a rise in the
incidence of food contact substances, particularly 2-isopropyl-thioxanthone, as
well as of chemical substances migrating from utensils and fraud-related issues. 
Temporary increases were noted in the incidences of the unauthorized dye Para
Red, genetically modified organisms, the pesticide isophenfos-methyl, and herring
worm, Anisakis simplex. National and European authorities themselves have
signaled these conspicuous trends and taken measures. It is recommended to add
complementary data to RASFF data, including safety assessments, risk management
measures, background data on hazards and surveillance patterns, for a holistic
approach towards early identification of emerging hazards.

PMID: 18255210 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

64: Appl Environ Microbiol. 2008 Apr;74(7):2129-34. Epub 2008 Feb 1.

Construction of sterile ime1Delta-transgenic Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeasts
unable to disseminate in nature.

RamГ­rez M, Ambrona J.

Departamento de MicrobiologГ­a (Antiguo Rectorado), Facultad de Ciencias,
Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain. mramirez@unex.es

The use of new transgenic yeasts in industry carries a potential environmental
risk because their dispersal, introducing new artificial genetic combinations
into nature, could have unpredictable consequences. This risk could be avoided by
using sterile transgenic yeasts that are unable to sporulate and mate with wild
yeasts. These sterile yeasts would not survive the annual cyclic harvesting
periods, being condemned to disappear in the wineries and vineyards in less than 
a year. We have constructed new ime1Delta wine yeasts that are unable to
sporulate and mate, bear easy-to-detect genetic markers, and quickly disappear in
grape must fermentation immediately after sporulation of the yeast population.
These sterile yeasts maintained the same biotechnological properties as their
parent yeasts without any detectable deleterious effect of the ime1Delta
mutation. These yeasts are therefore interesting biotechnologically for food
industry applications and for genetically modified microorganism environmental
monitoring studies.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18245242 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

65: Appetite. 2008 Jul;51(1):58-68. Epub 2007 Dec 15.

Knowledge, attitudes towards and acceptability of genetic modification in
Germany.

Christoph IB, Bruhn M, Roosen J.

Federal Research Centre for Nutrition and Food (BfEL), Department of Food
Economics, Hermann-Weigmann-Strasse, 24103 Kiel, Germany.

Genetic modification remains a controversial issue. The aim of this study is to
analyse the attitudes towards genetic modification, the knowledge about it and
its acceptability in different application areas among German consumers. Results 
are based on a survey from spring 2005. An exploratory factor analysis is
conducted to identify the attitudes towards genetic modification. The identified 
factors are used in a cluster analysis that identified a cluster of supporters,
of opponents and a group of indifferent consumers. Respondents' knowledge of
genetics and biotechnology differs among the found clusters without revealing a
clear relationship between knowledge and support of genetic modification. The
acceptability of genetic modification varies by application area and cluster, and
genetically modified non-food products are more widely accepted than food
products. The perception of personal health risks has high explanatory power for 
attitudes and acceptability.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18243411 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

66: Trends Biotechnol. 2008 Mar;26(3):122-5.

Is biotechnology a victim of anti-science bias in scientific journals?

Miller HI, Morandini P, Ammann K.

The Hoover Institution, 434 Galvez Mall, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
94305-6010, USA. miller@hoover.stanford.edu

Primarily outside the scientific community, misapprehensions and misinformation
about recombinant DNA-modified (also known as 'genetically modified', or 'GM')
plants have generated significant 'pseudo-controversy' over their safety that has
resulted in unscientific and excessive regulation (with attendant inflated
development costs) and disappointing progress. But pseudo-controversy and
sensational claims have originated within the scientific community as well, and
even scholarly journals' treatment of the subject has been at times unscientific,
one-sided and irresponsible. These shortcomings have helped to perpetuate 'The
Big Lie' - that recombinant DNA technology applied to agriculture and food
production is unproven, unsafe, untested, unregulated and unwanted. Those
misconceptions, in turn, have given rise to unwarranted opposition and tortuous, 
distorted public policy.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 18243381 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

67: Anal Bioanal Chem. 2008 Oct;392(3):347-54. Epub 2008 Feb 2.

Advances in molecular techniques for the detection and quantification of
genetically modified organisms.

Elenis DS, Kalogianni DP, Glynou K, Ioannou PC, Christopoulos TK.

Department of Chemistry, University of Athens, Athens, 15771, Greece.

Progress in genetic engineering has led to the introduction of genetically
modified organisms (GMOs) whose genomes have been altered by the integration of a
novel sequence conferring a new trait. To allow consumers an informed choice,
many countries require food products to be labeled if the GMO content exceeds a
certain threshold. Consequently, the development of analytical methods for GMO
screening and quantification is of great interest. Exponential amplification by
the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) remains a central step in molecular methods
of GMO detection and quantification. In order to meet the challenge posed by the 
continuously increasing number of GMOs, various multiplex assays have been
developed for the simultaneous amplification and/or detection of several GMOs.
Classical agarose gel electrophoresis is being replaced by capillary
electrophoresis (CE) systems, including CE chips, for the rapid and automatable
separation of amplified fragments. Microtiter well-based hybridization assays
allow high-throughput analysis of many samples in a single plate. Microarrays
have been introduced in GMO screening as a technique for the simultaneous
multianalyte detection of amplified sequences. Various types of biosensors,
including surface plasmon resonance sensors, quartz crystal microbalance
piezoelectric sensors, thin-film optical sensors, dry-reagent dipstick-type
sensors and electrochemical sensors were introduced in GMO screening because they
offer simplicity and lower cost. GMO quantification is performed by real-time PCR
(rt-QPCR) and competitive PCR. New endogenous reference genes have been
validated. rt-QPCR is the most widely used approach. Multiplexing is another
trend in this field. Strategies for high-throughput multiplex competitive
quantitative PCR have been reported.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 18239909 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

68: Bull Acad Natl Med. 2007 Apr-May;191(4-5):807-14; discussion 814.

[Allergic risk and role of the Allergy Vigilance Network]

[Article in French]

Moneret-Vautrin DA.

MГ©decine interne, immunologie clinique et allergologique, HГґpital Central, 54035 
Nancy cedex.

The recent increase in the incidence of severe anaphylaxis calls for continual
assessment of risk factor and dangers associated with food allergy, keeping
abreast of changes in the food industry. Allergologists, regulatory bodies and
the food industry are all responsible for food safety. The Allergy Vigilance
Network, founded by a university research team and comprising 398 French and
Belgian allergologists, has developed a three-point strategy. First, reporting
cases of severe anaphylaxis of document allergic origin makes it possible to
monitor the prevalence of food allergens and to evaluate the quality of
management of allergy-related emergencies, thus providing data suitable for
estimating the economic burden of anaphylaxis. The second objective of the
network is to set up multicenter trials to determine the prevalence of
sensitization to risk allergens, such as peanut, lupin and plant pollen, of which
transgenic varieties will soon emerge. The third objective is screening and
long-term monitoring of dangers related to new foods, ingredients and adjuvant
sensitizing factors. Post-marketing monitoring of potential allergic risks
arising from genetically modified food is another aim of the network, together
with the establishment of a serum bank, following WHO/FAO recommendations. The
Allergy Vigilance Network, together with the French National Institute for Food
Safety (AFSSA), the Ministry of Consumer Affairs (DGCCRF) and various patient
associations, is striving to analyse and deal with dangers related to the
allergenicity of natural and modified food proteins.

Publication Types: 
    Comparative Study
    English Abstract

PMID: 18225435 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

69: Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2008 Jun;70(2):327-33. Epub 2008 Feb 21.

Does Cry1Ab protein affect learning performances of the honey bee Apis mellifera 
L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae)?

Ramirez-Romero R, Desneux N, Decourtye A, Chaffiol A, Pham-DelГЁgue MH.

Instituto de Ecologia A.C., Km. 2.5 Carretera Antigua a Coatepec No. 351 El Haya,
91070 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.

Genetically modified Bt crops are increasingly used worldwide but side effects
and especially sublethal effects on beneficial insects remain poorly studied.
Honey bees are beneficial insects for natural and cultivated ecosystems through
pollination. The goal of the present study was to assess potential effects of two
concentrations of Cry1Ab protein (3 and 5000 ppb) on young adult honey bees.
Following a complementary bioassay, our experiments evaluated effects of the
Cry1Ab on three major life traits of young adult honey bees: (a) survival of
honey bees during sub-chronic exposure to Cry1Ab, (b) feeding behaviour, and (c) 
learning performance at the time that honey bees become foragers. The latter
effect was tested using the proboscis extension reflex (PER) procedure. The same 
effects were also tested using a chemical pesticide, imidacloprid, as positive
reference. The tested concentrations of Cry1Ab protein did not cause lethal
effects on honey bees. However, honey bee feeding behaviour was affected when
exposed to the highest concentration of Cry1Ab protein, with honey bees taking
longer to imbibe the contaminated syrup. Moreover, honey bees exposed to 5000 ppb
of Cry1Ab had disturbed learning performances. Honey bees continued to respond to
a conditioned odour even in the absence of a food reward. Our results show that
transgenic crops expressing Cry1Ab protein at 5000 ppb may affect food
consumption or learning processes and thereby may impact honey bee foraging
efficiency. The implications of these results are discussed in terms of risks of 
transgenic Bt crops for honey bees.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18206234 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

70: J AOAC Int. 2007 Nov-Dec;90(6):1517-25.

Detection and characterization of cry1Ac transgene construct in Bt cotton:
multiple polymerase chain reaction approach.

Singh CK, Ojha A, Kachru DN.

Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Post Box No. 80, M.G. Marg Lucknow-226001 
U.P., India.

To comply with international labeling regulations for genetically modified (GM)
crops and food, and to enable proper identification of GM organisms (GMOs),
effective methodologies and reliable approaches are needed. The spurious and
unapproved GM planting has contributed to crop failures and commercial losses. To
ensure effective and genuine GM cultivation, a methodology is needed to detect
and identify the trait of interest and concurrently evaluate the structural and
functional stability of the transgene insert. A multiple polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) approach was developed for detection, identification, and gene
stability confirmation of cry1Ac transgene construct in Bt cotton. As many as 9
samples of Bt cotton hybrid seeds comprising 3 approved Bt hybrids, MECH-12Bt,
MECH-162Bt, MECH-184Bt, and a batch of 6 nonapproved Bt hybrids were tested.
Initially, single standard PCR assays were run to amplify predominant GM DNA
sequences (CaMV 35S promoter, nos terminator, and npt-II marker gene); a
housekeeping gene, Gossypium hirsutum fiber-specific acyl carrier protein gene
(acp1); a trait-specific transgene (cry1Ac); and a sequence of 7S 3'
transcription terminator which specifically borders with 3' region of cry1Ac
transgene cassette. The concurrent amplification of all sequences of the entire
cassette was performed by 3 assays, duplex, triplex, and quadruplex multiplex PCR
assays, under common assay conditions. The identity of amplicons was reconfirmed 
by restriction endonuclease digestion profile. The 2 distinct transgene
cassettes, cry1Ac and npt-II, of the Bt cotton were amplified using the
respective forward primer of promoter and reverse primer of terminator. The
resultant amplicons were excised, eluted, and purified. The purified amplicons
served as template for nested PCR assays. The nested PCR runs confirmed the
transgene construct orientation and identity. The limit of detection as
established by our assay for GM trait (cry1Ac) was 0.1%. This approach can be
adopted as a standard procedure for complete molecular characterization of Bt
cotton. These assays will be of interest and use to importers, breeders, research
laboratories, safety regulators, and food processors for detection of cry1Ac
bearing GMOs.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18193727 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

71: Nat Biotechnol. 2008 Jan;26(1):73-81.

Erratum in:
    Nat Biotechnol. 2008 Feb;26(2):241.

Comment in:
    Nat Biotechnol. 2008 Oct;26(10):1070-1; author reply 1071-2.

Allergenicity assessment of genetically modified crops--what makes sense?

Goodman RE, Vieths S, Sampson HA, Hill D, Ebisawa M, Taylor SL, van Ree R.

Department of Food Science & Technology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln,
Nebraska, 68583-0955, USA. rgoodman2@unlnotes.unl.edu

GM crops have great potential to improve food quality, increase harvest yields
and decrease dependency on certain chemical pesticides. Before entering the
market their safety needs to be scrutinized. This includes a detailed analysis of
allergenic risks, as the safety of allergic consumers has high priority. However,
not all tests currently being applied to assessing allergenicity have a sound
scientific basis. Recent events with transgenic crops reveal the fallacy of
applying such tests to GM crops.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
    Review

PMID: 18183024 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

72: Environ Toxicol Chem. 2008 Jan;27(1):188-95.

Toxicological safety assessment of genetically modified Bacillus thuringiensis
with additional N-acyl homoserine lactonase gene.

Peng D, Zhou C, Chen S, Ruan L, Yu Z, Sun M.

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Sciences and
Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the toxicology safety to mammals of a
genetically modified (GM) Bacillus thuringiensis with an additional N-acyl
homoserine lactones gene (aiiA), which possesses insecticidal activity together
with restraint of bacterial pathogenicity and is intended for use as a
multifunctional biopesticide. Safety assessments included an acute oral toxicity 
test and 28-d animal feeding study in Wistar rats, primary eye and dermal
irritation in Zealand White rabbits, and delayed contact hypersensitivity in
guinea pigs. Tests were conducted using spray-dried powder preparation. This GM
product showed toxicity neither in oral acute toxicity test nor in 28-d animal
feeding test at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight. During the animal feeding
test, there were no significant differences in growth, food and water
consumption, hematology, blood biochemical indices, organ weights, and
histopathology finding between rats in controls and tested groups. Tested animals
in primary eye and dermal irritation and delayed contact hypersensitivity test
were also devoid of any toxicity compared to controls. All the above results
demonstrated that the GM based multifunctional B. thuringiensis has low toxicity 
and low eye and dermal irritation and would not cause hypersensitivity to
laboratory mammals and therefore could be regarded as safe for use as a
pesticide.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 18092859 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

73: Toxicol Sci. 2008 Mar;102(1):100-9. Epub 2007 Nov 21.

Differences in allergenic potential of food extracts following oral exposure in
mice reflect differences in digestibility: potential approaches to safety
assessment.

Bowman CC, Selgrade MK.

Immunotoxicology Branch, Experimental Toxicology Division, National Health and
Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA. bowman.christal@epa.gov

An animal model for food allergy is needed to assess genetically modified food
crops for potential allergenicity. The ideal model must produce allergic antibody
(IgE) to proteins differentially according to known allergenicity before being
used to accurately identify potential allergens among novel proteins. The oral
route is the most relevant for exposure to food antigens, and a protein's
stability to digestion is a current risk assessment tool based on this natural
route. However, normal laboratory animals do not mount allergic responses to
proteins administered orally due to oral tolerance, an immunologic mechanism
which specifically suppresses IgE. To circumvent oral tolerance and evoke
differential IgE responses to a panel of allergenic and nonallergenic food
extracts, female C3H/HeJ mice were exposed subcutaneously or orally with cholera 
toxin as an adjuvant. All foods elicited IgE by the subcutaneous route. Oral
exposure, however, resulted in IgE to allergens (peanut, Brazil nut, and egg
white) but not to nonallergens (spinach and turkey), provided that the dose and
exposures were limited. Additionally, in vitro digestibility assays demonstrated 
the presence of digestion-stable proteins in the allergenic food extracts but not
in the nonallergenic foods. Our results suggest that the subcutaneous route is
inadequate to distinguish allergens from nonallergens, but oral exposure under
the appropriate experimental conditions will result in differential allergic
responses in accordance with known allergenicity. Moreover, those foods
containing digestion-resistant proteins provoke allergic responses in this model,
supporting the current use of pepsin resistance in the decision tree for
potential allergenicity assessment.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

PMID: 18033772 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

74: Anal Bioanal Chem. 2008 Jan;390(1):377-87. Epub 2007 Nov 11.

Detection and characterization of recombinant DNA expressing vip3A-type
insecticidal gene in GMOs--standard single, multiplex and construct-specific PCR 
assays.

Singh CK, Ojha A, Bhatanagar RK, Kachru DN.

Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Post Box No. 80, M. G. Marg, Lucknow,
226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip), a unique class of insecticidal protein, is
now part of transgenic plants for conferring resistance against lepidopteron
pests. In order to address the imminent regulatory need for detection and
labeling of vip3A carrying genetically modified (GM) products, we have developed 
a standard single PCR and a multiplex PCR assay. As far as we are aware, this is 
the first report on PCR-based detection of a vip3A-type gene (vip-s) in
transgenic cotton and tobacco. Our assay involves amplification of a 284-bp
region of the vip-s gene. This assay can possibly detect as many as 20 natural
wild-type isolates bearing a vip3A-like gene and two synthetic genes of vip3A in 
transgenic plants. The limit of detection as established by our assay for GM
trait (vip-s) is 0.1%. Spiking with nontarget DNA originating from diverse plant 
sources had no inhibitory effect on vip-s detection. Since autoclaving of vip-s
bearing GM leaf samples showed no deterioration/interference in detection
efficacy, the assay seems to be suitable for processed food products as well. The
vip-s amplicon identity was reconfirmed by restriction endonuclease assay. The
primer set for vip-s was equally effective in a multiplex PCR assay format
(duplex, triplex and quadruplex), used in conjunction with the primer sets for
the npt-II selectable marker gene, Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and
nopaline synthetase terminator, enabling concurrent detection of the transgene,
regulatory sequences and marker gene. Further, the entire transgene construct was
amplified using the forward primer of the promoter and the reverse primer of the 
terminator. The resultant amplicon served as a template for nested PCR to confirm
the construct integrity. The method is suitable for screening any vip3A-carrying 
GM plant and food. The availability of a reliable PCR assay method prior to
commercial release of vip3A-based transgenic crops and food would facilitate
rapid and efficient regulatory compliance.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17994293 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

75: Med Pregl. 2007 May-Jun;60(5-6):295-8.

[Diseases caused by viruses and toxins in biological warfare and bioterrorism]

[Article in Serbian]

Bojić I, Vukadinov J, Minić S.

Specijalisticka ordinacija Dr Bojić Beograd. drbojic@net.yu

INTRODUCTION: Viruses and toxins, as well as bacteria and rickettsia can
potentially be used as biological weapons in conflicts or in bioterrorism. USE OF
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS: The infection can be acquired by inhalation of aerosols,
ingestion of contaminated food or water, or direct contact with the skin or
mucosa. Special attention must be given to the possible use of genetically
modified agents. CONCLUSION: This paper describes the clinical features of
diseases caused hbi viruses (smallpox, hemorrhagic Jever and encephalitis) and
toxins (botulinum, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, ricinus toxin and mycotoxins)
their diagnosis, treatment, as well as basic preventive measures.

Publication Types: 
    English Abstract
    Review

PMID: 17988067 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

76: Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008 Feb;50(1):98-113. Epub 2007 Sep 29.

Comparative safety assessment of plant-derived foods.

Kok EJ, Keijer J, Kleter GA, Kuiper HA.

RIKILT Institute of Food Safety, Bornsesteeg 45, PO Box 230, 6700 AE Wageningen, 
The Netherlands. Esther.kok@wur.nl

The second generation of genetically modified (GM) plants that are moving towards
the market are characterized by modifications that may be more complex and traits
that more often are to the benefit of the consumer. These developments will have 
implications for the safety assessment of the resulting plant products. In part
of the cases the same crop plant can, however, also be obtained by 'conventional'
breeding strategies. The breeder will decide on a case-by-case basis what will be
the best strategy to reach the set target and whether genetic modification will
form part of this strategy. This article discusses important aspects of the
safety assessment of complex products derived from newly bred plant varieties
obtained by different breeding strategies. On the basis of this overview, we
conclude that the current process of the safety evaluation of GM versus
conventionally bred plants is not well balanced. GM varieties are elaborately
assessed, yet at the same time other crop plants resulting from conventional
breeding strategies may warrant further food safety assessment for the benefit of
the consumer. We propose to develop a general screening frame for all newly
developed plant varieties to select varieties that cannot, on the basis of
scientific criteria, be considered as safe as plant varieties that are already on
the market.

Publication Types: 
    Comparative Study
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    Review

PMID: 17983697 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

77: Int J Toxicol. 2007 Sep-Oct;26(5):389-99.

Strategies to evaluate the safety of bioengineered foods.

Delaney B.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., DuPont Agriculture and Nutrition, Johnston, 
Iowa 50131-0550, USA. bryan.delaney@pioneer.com

A number of genetically modified (GM) crops bioengineered to express agronomic
traits including herbicide resistance and insect tolerance have been
commercialized. Safety studies conducted for the whole grains and food and feed
fractions obtained from GM crops (i.e., bioengineered foods) bear similarities to
and distinctive differences from those applied to substances intentionally added 
to foods (e.g., food ingredients). Similarities are apparent in common animal
models, route of exposure, duration, and response variables typically assessed in
toxicology studies. However, because of differences in the nutritional and
physical properties of food ingredients and bioengineered foods and in the
fundamental goals of the overall safety assessment strategies for these different
classes of substances, there are recognizable differences in the individual
components of the safety assessment process. The fundamental strategic difference
is that the process for food ingredients is structured toward quantitative risk
assessment whereas that for bioengineered foods is structured for the purpose of 
qualitative risk assessment. The strategy for safety assessment of bioengineered 
foods focuses on evaluating the safety of the transgenic proteins used to impart 
the desired trait or traits and to demonstrate compositional similarity between
the grains of GM and non-GM comparator crops using analytical chemistry and, in
some cases, feeding studies. Despite these differences, the similarities in the
design of safety studies conducted with bioengineered foods should be recognized 
by toxicologists. The current paper reviews the basic principles of safety
assessment for bioengineered foods and compares them with the testing strategies 
applied to typical food ingredients. From this comparison it can be seen that the
strategies used to assess the safety of bioengineered foods are at least as
robust as that used to assess the safety of typical food ingredients.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 17963126 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

78: Plant Biotechnol J. 2008 Jan;6(1):2-12. Epub 2007 Oct 23.

US regulatory system for genetically modified [genetically modified organism
(GMO), rDNA or transgenic] crop cultivars.

McHughen A, Smyth S.

Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 
92521-0124, USA. alanmc@ucr.edu

This paper reviews the history of the federal regulatory oversight of plant
agricultural biotechnology in the USA, focusing on the scientific and political
forces moulding the continually evolving regulatory structure in place today.
Unlike most other jurisdictions, the USA decided to adapt pre-existing
legislation to encompass products of biotechnology. In so doing, it established
an overarching committee (Office of Science and Technology Policy) to study and
distribute various regulatory responsibilities amongst relevant agencies: the
Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and US Department
of Agriculture. This paper reviews the history and procedures of each agency in
the execution of its regulatory duties and investigates the advantages and
disadvantages of the US regulatory strategy.

Publication Types: 
    Historical Article
    Review

PMID: 17956539 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

79: J AOAC Int. 2007 Sep-Oct;90(5):1513-6.

Development of agricultural biotechnology and biosafety regulations used to
assess the safety of genetically modified crops in Iran.

Mousavi A, Malboobi MA, Esmailzadeh NS.

National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 14155-6343,
Tehran, 1417863171, Iran. m-amir@nrcgeb.ac.ir

Rapid progress in the application of biotechnological methodologies and
development of genetically modified crops in Iran necessitated intensive efforts 
to establish proper organizations and prepare required rules and regulations at
the national level to ensure safe application of biotechnology in all pertinent
aspects. Practically, preparation of a national biotechnology strategic plan in
the country coincided with development of a national biosafety framework that was
the basis for the drafted biosafety law. Although biosafety measures were
observed by researchers voluntarily, the establishment of national biosafety
organizations since the year 2000 built a great capacity to deal with biosafety
issues in the present and future time, particularly with respect to food and
agricultural biotechnology.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 17956001 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

80: J AOAC Int. 2007 Sep-Oct;90(5):1508-12.

Development of agribiotechnology and biosafety regulations used to assess safety 
of genetically modified crops in Bangladesh.

Nasiruddin KM, Nasim A.

Bangladesh Agricultural University, Biotechnology Department, Mymensingh 2202,
Bangladesh. nasirbiotech@yahoo.com

Bangladesh is on the verge of adopting genetically modified (GM) crops for
commercial cultivation and consumption as feed and food. Most of the laboratories
are engaged in tissue culture and molecular characterization on plants, whereas
some have started living modified organism research with shortages of trained
manpower, infrastructure, and funding. Nutritionally improved Golden Rice,
biotech brinjal, and late blight-resistant potato are in contained trials in a
greenhouse, and potato ring spot virus-resistant papaya is in the process of
approval for a field trial. The government has taken some initiative in support
of GM organism research, which include the formation of a Biotechnology
Department in all institutes and the formation of the apex body, the National
Task Force Committee on Biotechnology of Bangladesh under the chairpersonship of 
the Prime Minister. Biosafety policy guidelines and related aspects of
biotechnology issues have been approved, and the laws are in the process of being
promulgated. Being a party to the Cartagena Protocol, proper biosafety measures
are regulated by the appropriate authority as stated. Although there are no laws 
made yet directly for biosafety of GM crops/foods, the relevant laws on
agriculture, medicine, food, import, trade, environment, etc. may suffice and
explain the situation.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 17956000 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

81: J AOAC Int. 2007 Sep-Oct;90(5):1500-7.

Development of agriculture biotechnology in Pakistan.

Zafar Y.

Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, PO Box
No. 1114, Islamabad, Pakistan. y_zafar@yahoo.com

Agriculture plays an important role in the national economy of Pakistan, where
most of the rapidly increasing population resides in rural areas and depends on
agriculture for subsistence. Biotechnology has considerable potential for
promoting the efficiency of crop improvement, food production, and poverty
reduction. Use of modern biotechnology started in Pakistan since 1985. Currently,
there are 29 biotech centers/institutes in the country. However, few centers have
appropriate physical facilities and trained manpower to develop genetically
modified (GM) crops. Most of the activities have been on rice and cotton, which
are among the top 5 crops of Pakistan. Biotic (virus/bacterial/insect) and
abiotic (salt) resistant and quality (male sterility) genes have already been
incorporated in some crop plants. Despite acquiring capacity to produce
transgenic plants, no GM crops, either produced locally or imported, have been
released in the country. Pakistan is signatory to the World Trade Organization,
Convention on Biological Diversity, and Cartagena protocols. Several legislations
under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights have
been promulgated in the country. National Biosafety Guidelines have been
promulgated in April 2005. The Plant Breeders Rights Act, Amendment in Seed
Act-1976, and Geographical Indication for Goods are still passing through
discussion, evaluation, and analysis phases. Meanwhile, an illegal GM crop
(cotton) has already sneaked into farmer's field. Concerted and coordinated
efforts are needed among various ministries for implementation of regulation and 
capacity building for import/export and local handling of GM crops. Pakistan
could easily benefit from the experience of Asian countries, especially China and
India, where conditions are similar and the agriculture sector is almost like
that of Pakistan. Thus, the exchange of information and experiences is important 
among these nations.

PMID: 17955999 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

82: J AOAC Int. 2007 Sep-Oct;90(5):1440-4.

Impact of foods nutritionally enhanced through biotechnology in alleviating
malnutrition in developing countries.

Gilani GS, Nasim A.

Nutrition Research Division, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch,
Health Canada, Government of Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Dwy, Ottawa, ON,
Canada. Sarwar_Gilani@hc-sc.gc.ca

According to United Nations (UN) projections, the world's population will grow
from 6.1 billion in 2000 to 8 billion in 2025 and 9.4 billion in 2050. Most (93%)
of the increase will take place in developing countries. The rapid population
growth in developing countries creates major challenges for governments regarding
food and nutrition security. According to current World Health Organization
estimates, more than 3 billion people worldwide, especially in developing
countries, are malnourished in essential nutrients. Malnutrition imposes severe
costs on a country's population due to impaired physical and cognitive abilities 
and reduced ability to work. Little progress has been made in improving
malnutrition over the past few decades. The Food and Agriculture Organization of 
the UN would like to see more nutrient-rich foods introduced into these
countries, because supplements are expensive and difficult to distribute widely. 
Biofortification of staple crops through modern biotechnology can potentially
help in alleviating malnutrition in developing countries. Several genetically
modified crops, including rice, potatoes, oilseeds, and cassava, with elevated
levels of essential nutrients (such as vitamin A, iron, zinc, protein and
essential amino acids, and essential fatty acids); reduced levels of
antinutritional factors (such as cyanogens, phytates, and glycoalkaloid); and
increased levels of factors that influence bioavailability and utilization of
essential nutrients (such as cysteine residues) are advancing through field trial
stage and regulatory processes towards commercialization. The ready availability 
and consumption of the biofortified crops would have a significant impact in
reducing malnutrition and the risk of chronic disease in developing countries.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 17955991 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

83: Appetite. 2008 Mar-May;50(2-3):340-52. Epub 2007 Sep 18.

Consumer responses to communication about food risk management.

van Dijk H, Houghton J, van Kleef E, van der Lans I, Rowe G, Frewer L.

Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen
University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Heleen.vanDijk@wur.nl

Recent emphasis within policy circles has been on transparent communication with 
consumers about food risk management decisions and practices. As a consequence,
it is important to develop best practice regarding communication with the public 
about how food risks are managed. In the current study, the provision of
information about regulatory enforcement, proactive risk management, scientific
uncertainty and risk variability were manipulated in an experiment designed to
examine their impact on consumer perceptions of food risk management quality. In 
order to compare consumer reactions across different cases, three food hazards
were selected (mycotoxins on organically grown food, pesticide residues, and a
genetically modified potato). Data were collected from representative samples of 
consumers in Germany, Greece, Norway and the UK. Scores on the "perceived food
risk management quality" scale were subjected to a repeated-measures mixed linear
model. Analysis points to a number of important findings, including the existence
of cultural variation regarding the impact of risk communication
strategies-something which has obvious implications for pan-European risk
communication approaches. For example, while communication of uncertainty had a
positive impact in Germany, it had a negative impact in the UK and Norway.
Results also indicate that food risk managers should inform the public about
enforcement of safety laws when communicating scientific uncertainty associated
with risks. This has implications for the coordination of risk communication
strategies between risk assessment and risk management organizations.

Publication Types: 
    Multicenter Study
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17945386 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

84: BMC Bioinformatics. 2007 Oct 9;8:375.

Computational analysis of the relationship between allergenicity and
digestibility of allergenic proteins in simulated gastric fluid.

Jiang B, Qu H, Hu Y, Ni T, Lin Z.

College of Life Sciences, National Lab of Protein Engineering and Genetic
Engineering of Plants, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China.
jiangbingjun@gmail.com

BACKGROUND: Safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) food, with regard to
allergenic potential of transgene-encoded xenoproteins, typically involves
several different methods, evaluation by digestibility being one thereof.
However, there are still debates about whether the allergenicity of food
allergens is related to their resistance to digestion by the gastric fluid. The
disagreements may in part stem from classification of allergens only by their
sources, which we believe is inadequate, and the difficulties in achieving
identical experimental conditions for studying digestion by simulated gastric
fluid (SGF) so that results can be compared. Here, we reclassify allergenic food 
allergens into alimentary canal-sensitized (ACS) and non-alimentary
canal-sensitized (NACS) allergens and use a computational model that simulates
gastric fluid digestion to analyze the digestibilities of these two types.
RESULTS: The model presented in this paper is as effective as SGF digestion
experiments, but more stable and reproducible. On the basis of this model, food
allergens are satisfactorily classified as ACS and NACS types by their pathways
for sensitization; the former are relatively resistant to gastric fluid digestion
while the later are relatively labile. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that it is
better to classify allergens into ACS and NACS types when understanding the
relationship between their digestibility and allergenicity and the digestibility 
of a target foreign protein is a parameter for evaluating its allergenicity
during safety assessments of GM food.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17922925 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

85: Vet Res Commun. 2007 Aug;31 Suppl 1:385-8.

Detection of genetically modified organisms in food: comparison among three
different DNA extraction methods.

Vodret B, Milia M, Orani MG, Serratrice G, Mancuso MR.

Zooprofilattic Institute of Sardinia, Feed Hygiene Unit, Sassari, Italy.
bruna.vodret@izs-sardegna.it

PMID: 17682920 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

86: Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Dec;45(12):2372-80. Epub 2007 Aug 23.

Proteomic analysis of ovomucoid hypersensitivity in mice by two-dimensional
difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE).

Hobson DJ, Rupa P, Diaz GJ, Zhang H, Yang M, Mine Y, Turner PV, Kirby GM.

Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G
2W1.

There is a need to develop reliable methods to assess the safety of genetically
modified and other novel foods. The aim of this study was to identify protein
biomarkers of food allergy in mice exposed to ovomucoid (OVM), a major food
allergen found in chicken egg white. BALB/c mice were repeatedly sensitized by
gavage with OVM and cholera toxin (CT) and control mice were exposed to a mixture
of amino acids with CT. At the endpoint, all mice were challenged
intraperitoneally with OVM and alum. Type-1 hypersensitivity was confirmed in
OVM-sensitized mice by observation of clinical signs of anaphylaxis and elevated 
levels of plasma histamine, OVM-specific IgE and OVM-specific IgG by ELISA.
Differential protein expression was assessed in albumin-depleted plasma as well
as in mesenteric lymph node, liver, spleen, and ileum by two-dimensional
difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Differentially expressed proteins were 
identified by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma
proteins overexpressed in OVM-sensitized mice included haptoglobin (41-fold),
serum amyloid A (19-fold) and peroxiredoxin-2 (1.9-fold). Further validation of
these plasma proteins in other animal models of food allergy with different food 
allergens is required to assess their potential as candidate biomarkers for use
in evaluating the allergenicity of novel foods.

Publication Types: 
    Evaluation Studies
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17897766 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

87: Health Res Policy Syst. 2007 Sep 26;5:10.

Biofortification in China: policy and practice.

Campos-Bowers MH, Wittenmyer BF.

Department of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University
of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth,
Texas 76107, USA. mcampos@hsc.unt.edu.

ABSTRACT: Micronutrient deficiency undernutrition, due to insufficient levels of 
vitamins and minerals in the diet, remains one of the most prevalent and
preventable nutritional problems in the world today. Micronutrient undernutrition
is the most common form of malnutrition. Compared to the 180 million children
with protein-energy malnutrition, 3.5-5 billion persons are iron-deficient, and
140-250 million persons are vitamin A-deficient. Micronutrient deficiencies
diminish physical, cognitive, and reproductive development. Undernutrition is
both a cause and a result of poor human health and achievement.Middle-income
nations, such as China, also suffer from micronutrient undernutrition's effects. 
In China's poor western provinces, despite supplementation and fortification
efforts, stunting and underweight (symptoms of micronutrient undernutrition)
remain common. In recent decades, nutritional adequacy, in terms of available
food energy, improved immensely, as the government made food security a top
priority. A potential next step for China could be to address specifically
micronutrient undernutrition. The paper aims to provide a discussion of policy
issues relevant to biofortification, if China were to consider the implementation
of this intervention in its rural provinces.Traditional nutritional interventions
currently employ four main strategies: dietary modification, supplementation,
commercial fortification, and biofortification. Biofortification, a relatively
new technique, involves selectively breeding staple plant varieties to increase
specific nutrient levels in plant tissues. Biofortification has the potential to 
provide benefits to humans, plants, and livestock; nourish nutrient-depleted
soils; and help increase crop yields per acre. Biofortification methods include
selective breeding, reducing levels of anti-nutrients, and increasing levels of
substances that promote nutrient absorption.If China were to implement
biofortification programs, with help from government agencies and international
organizations, several policy questions would need to be addressed. The paper
discusses several policy questions that pertain to the relationship between
biofortified and genetically modified crops, human health and safety concerns,
labeling of biofortified crops for consumers, consumer rights, potential
environmental impacts, intellectual property rights, seed disbursement,
government investment, private-sector research, and additional agricultural and
commercial regulations. Biofortification has the potential to help alleviate the 
suffering, death, disability, and failure to achieve full human potential that
results from micronutrient undernutrition-related diseases.

Publication Types: 
    Editorial

PMID: 17897456 [PubMed - in process]

88: Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2008 Feb 27;363(1492):761-76.

Biological control and sustainable food production.

Bale JS, van Lenteren JC, Bigler F.

School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT,
UK. j.s.bale@bham.ac.uk

The use of biological control for the management of pest insects pre-dates the
modern pesticide era. The first major successes in biological control occurred
with exotic pests controlled by natural enemy species collected from the country 
or area of origin of the pest (classical control). Augmentative control has been 
successfully applied against a range of open-field and greenhouse pests, and
conservation biological control schemes have been developed with indigenous
predators and parasitoids. The cost-benefit ratio for classical biological
control is highly favourable (1:250) and for augmentative control is similar to
that of insecticides (1:2-1:5), with much lower development costs. Over the past 
120 years, more than 5000 introductions of approximately 2000 non-native control 
agents have been made against arthropod pests in 196 countries or islands with
remarkably few environmental problems. Biological control is a key component of a
'systems approach' to integrated pest management, to counteract
insecticide-resistant pests, withdrawal of chemicals and minimize the usage of
pesticides. Current studies indicate that genetically modified insect-resistant
Bt crops may have no adverse effects on the activity or function of predators or 
parasitoids used in biological control. The introduction of rational approaches
for the environmental risk assessment of non-native control agents is an
essential step in the wider application of biological control, but future success
is strongly dependent on a greater level of investment in research and
development by governments and related organizations that are committed to a
reduced reliance on chemical control.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 17827110 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

89: Ir Med J. 2007 May;100(5):475-6.

Genetically modified food and health--a cause for concern?

Cullen E.

Publication Types: 
    Letter

PMID: 17727126 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

90: Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2007 Oct;49(1):53-62.

Comparative safety testing of genetically modified foods in a 90-day rat feeding 
study design allowing the distinction between primary and secondary effects of
the new genetic event.

Knudsen I, Poulsen M.

Department of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, National Food Institute, Technical 
University of Denmark, 19 Moerkhoej Bygade, DK-2860 Soeborg, Denmark.

This article discusses the wider experiences regarding the usefulness of the
90-day rat feeding study for the testing of whole foods from genetically modified
(GM) plant based on data from a recent EU-project [Poulsen, M., SchrГёder, M.,
Wilcks, A., Kroghsbo, S., Lindecrona, R.H., Miller, A., Frenzel, T., Danier, J., 
Rychlik, M., Shu, Q., Emami, K., Taylor, M., Gatehouse, A., Engel, K.-H.,
Knudsen, I., 2007a. Safety testing of GM-rice expressing PHA-E lectin using a new
animal test design. Food Chem. Toxicol. 45, 364-377; Poulsen, M., Kroghsbo, S.,
SchrГёder, M., Wilcks, A., Jacobsen, H., Miller, A., Frenzel, T., Danier, J.,
Rychlik, M., Shu, Q., Emami, K., Sudhakar, D., Gatehouse, A., Engel, K.-H.,
Knudsen, I., 2007b. A 90-day safety in Wistar rats fed genetically modified rice 
expressing snowdrop lectin Galanthus nivalis (GNA). Food Chem. Toxicol. 45,
350-363; SchrГёder, M., Poulsen, M., Wilcks, A., Kroghsbo, S., Miller, A.,
Frenzel, T., Danier, J., Rychlik, M., Emami, K., Gatehouse, A., Shu, Q., Engel,
K.-H., Knudsen, I., 2007. A 90-day safety study of genetically modified rice
expressing Cry1Ab protein (Bacillus thuringiensis toxin) in Wistar rats. Food
Chem. Toxicol. 45, 339-349]. The overall objective of the project has been to
develop and validate the scientific methodology necessary for assessing the
safety of foods from genetically modified plants in accordance with the present
EU regulation. The safety assessment in the project is combining the results of
the 90-day rat feeding study on the GM food with and without spiking with the
pure novel gene product, with the knowledge about the identity of the genetic
change, the compositional data of the GM food, the results from in-vitro/ex-vivo 
studies as well as the results from the preceding 28-day toxicity study with the 
novel gene product, before the hazard characterisation is concluded. The results 
demonstrated the ability of the 90-day rat feeding study to detect the
biological/toxicological effects of the new gene product in the GM food. The
authors consider on this basis that the 90-day, rodent feeding study with one
high dose level and a dietary design based upon compositional data on the GM food
and toxicity data on the gene product is sensitive and specific enough to verify 
the presence/absence of the biological/nutritional/toxicological effects of the
novel gene insert and further by the use of spiking able to separate potentially 
unintended effects of the novel gene product from other unintended effects at the
level of intake defined in the test and within the remit of the test.
Recommendations for further work necessary in the field are given.

Publication Types: 
    Comparative Study
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17719159 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

91: Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Dec;45(12):2513-25. Epub 2007 Jun 21.

History of safe use as applied to the safety assessment of novel foods and foods 
derived from genetically modified organisms.

Constable A, Jonas D, Cockburn A, Davi A, Edwards G, Hepburn P, Herouet-Guicheney
C, Knowles M, Moseley B, OberdГ¶rfer R, Samuels F.

NestlГ© Research Centre, Vers-Chez-les-blanc 1000, Lausanne 26, Switzerland.

Very few traditional foods that are consumed have been subjected to systematic
toxicological and nutritional assessment, yet because of their long history and
customary preparation and use and absence of evidence of harm, they are generally
regarded as safe to eat. This 'history of safe use' of traditional foods forms
the benchmark for the comparative safety assessment of novel foods, and of foods 
derived from genetically modified organisms. However, the concept is hard to
define, since it relates to an existing body of information which describes the
safety profile of a food, rather than a precise checklist of criteria. The term
should be regarded as a working concept used to assist the safety assessment of a
food product. Important factors in establishing a history of safe use include:
the period over which the traditional food has been consumed; the way in which it
has been prepared and used and at what intake levels; its composition and the
results of animal studies and observations from human exposure. This paper is
aimed to assist food safety professionals in the safety evaluation and regulation
of novel foods and foods derived from genetically modified organisms, by
describing the practical application and use of the concept of 'history of safe
use'.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17692450 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

92: Gastroenterology. 2007 Aug;133(2):517-28. Epub 2007 May 3.

Comment in:
    Gastroenterology. 2007 Aug;133(2):706-9.

Induction of ovalbumin-specific tolerance by oral administration of Lactococcus
lactis secreting ovalbumin.

Huibregtse IL, Snoeck V, de Creus A, Braat H, De Jong EC, Van Deventer SJ,
Rottiers P.

Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center,
University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Obtaining antigen-specific immune suppression is an
important goal in developing treatments of autoimmune, inflammatory, and allergic
gastrointestinal diseases. Oral tolerance is a powerful means for inducing
tolerance to a particular antigen, but implementing this strategy in humans has
been difficult. Active delivery of recombinant autoantigens or allergens at the
intestinal mucosa by genetically modified Lactococcus lactis (L lactis) provides 
a novel therapeutic approach for inducing tolerance. METHODS: We engineered the
food grade bacterium L lactis to secrete ovalbumin (OVA) and evaluated its
ability to induce OVA-specific tolerance in OVA T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic 
mice (DO11.10). Tolerance induction was assessed by analysis of delayed-type
hypersensitivity responses, measurement of cytokines and OVA-specific
proliferation, phenotypic analysis, and adoptive transfer experiments. RESULTS:
Intragastric administration of OVA-secreting L lactis led to active delivery of
OVA at the mucosa and suppression of local and systemic OVA-specific T-cell
responses in DO11.10 mice. This suppression was mediated by induction of
CD4(+)CD25(-) regulatory T cells that function through a transforming growth
factor beta-dependent mechanism. Restimulation of splenocytes and gut-associated 
lymph node tissue from these mice resulted in a significant OVA-specific decrease
in interferon gamma and a significant increase in interleukin-10 production.
Furthermore, Foxp3 and CTLA-4 were significantly up-regulated in the
CD4(+)CD25(-) population. CONCLUSIONS: Mucosal antigen delivery by oral
administration of genetically engineered L lactis leads to antigen-specific
tolerance. This approach can be used to develop effective therapeutics for
systemic and intestinal immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Publication Types: 
    Evaluation Studies
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17681173 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

93: Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2007 Jun;48(3):41-50.

[A 52-week feeding study of genetically modified soybeans in F344 rats]

[Article in Japanese]

Sakamoto Y, Tada Y, Fukumori N, Tayama K, Ando H, Takahashi H, Kubo Y, Nagasawa
A, Yano N, Yuzawa K, Ogata A, Kamimura H.

Department of Environmental Health and Toxicology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute
of Public Health: 3-24-1 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, Japan.

A chronic feeding study to evaluate the safety of the genetically modified
glyphosate-tolerant soybeans (GM soybeans) was conducted using rats. F344 DuCrj
rats were fed diet containing GM soybeans or Non-GM soybeans at the concentration
of 30% in basal diet. Non-GM soybeans were closely related strain of GM soybeans.
These two diets were adjusted to an identical nutrient level. In this study, the 
influence of GM soybeans on rats was compared with that of the Non-GM soybeans,
and furthermore, to assess the effect of soybeans themselves, the groups of rats 
fed GM and Non-GM soybeans were compared with a group fed commercial diet (CE-2).
General conditions were observed daily and body weight and food consumption were 
recorded. At the intermediate examination (26 weeks), and at the termination (52 
weeks), animals were subjected to hematology, serum biochemistry, and
pathological examination. There were several differences in animal growth, food
intake, serum biochemical parameters and histological findings between the rats
fed the GM and/or Non-GM soybeans and the rats fed CE-2. However, body weight and
food intake were similar for the rats fed the GM and Non-GM soybeans. Gross
necropsy findings, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, organ weights,
and pathological findings showed no meaningful difference between rats fed the GM
and Non-GM soybeans. These results indicate that long-term intake of GM soybeans 
at the level of 30% in diet has no apparent adverse effect in rats.

Publication Types: 
    English Abstract

PMID: 17657996 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

94: Environ Biosafety Res. 2006 Oct-Dec;5(4):201-3. Epub 2007 Jul 20.

9th International Symposium on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms.
Session VII: Risk management and monitoring.

Schiemann J.

Institute for Plant Virology, Microbiology and Biosafety, Federal Biological
Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (BBA), Messeweg 11-12, 38104
Braunschweig, Germany. j.schiemann@bba.de

Biosafety regulatory frameworks are intended to serve as mechanisms for ensuring 
the safe use of biotechnology products without imposing unacceptable risk to
human health or the environment, or unintended constraints to technology
transfer. In several regulatory systems GMO risk assessment has been separated
from GMO risk management. As a consequence, risk assessment can be performed on a
purely scientific basis, whereas risk management can take additional aspects
(e.g. socio-economic or ethical) into consideration. For instance, the European
Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the keystone of European Union risk assessment
regarding food and feed safety, provides independent scientific advice and clear 
communication on existing and emerging risks in close collaboration with national
authorities and in open consultation with its stakeholders. Risk management
measures are not within the remit of EFSA, and remain the responsibility of the
European Commission and Member States.

Publication Types: 
    Congresses

PMID: 17640508 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

95: Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007 Aug;51(8):946-55.

Serum testing of genetically modified soybeans with special emphasis on potential
allergenicity of the heterologous protein CP4 EPSPS.

Hoff M, Son DY, Gubesch M, Ahn K, Lee SI, Vieths S, Goodman RE, Ballmer-Weber BK,
Bannon GA.

Department of Allergology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany.

Roundup Ready soy contains the CP4-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (CP4
EPSPS) protein. Serum IgE from two distinct populations of soy-allergic patients 
were recruited to determine their IgE-binding specificity. One population
consisted of 10 adult patients from Europe, whose primary diagnosis was soy food 
allergy with some also having mite allergy. In addition, 6 primarily
mite-allergic, 6 food-allergic (celery, carrot, milk, shrimp, walnut, and apple),
and 5 non-allergic patients were tested. Another population consisted of 13
children from Korea, whose primary diagnosis was atopic dermatitis and
secondarily soy and egg sensitization. In addition, 11 non-allergic patients were
tested. Each patient population was extensively characterized with respect to
clinical symptoms, specific IgE (CAP) scores, and total IgE. Immunoblots and
ELISA assays were developed using serum IgE from these patients and soy extracts,
CP4 EPSPS, rice extract, ovalbumin, rubisco, purified major peanut allergen Ara h
2, the putative soy allergen Gly m Bd 30k and mite allergen Der f 2 proteins as
the intended targets. Immunoblot results indicated that soy-allergic patients
bound soy extracts but did not specifically bind rubisco or CP4 EPSPS. ELISA
results were in general agreement with the immunoblot results except that rubisco
bound significant quantities of serum IgE from some patients. These results
indicate that the CP4 EPSPS protein does not bind significant quantities of IgE
from two geographically distinct sensitive populations and there is no evidence
for an increased allergenic potential of this biotech protein.

PMID: 17639514 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

96: Transgenic Res. 2008 Jun;17(3):393-402. Epub 2007 Jul 19.

Impact of genetic structures on haploid genome-based quantification of
genetically modified DNA: theoretical considerations, experimental data in MON
810 maize kernels (Zea mays L.) and some practical applications.

Zhang D, Corlet A, Fouilloux S.

GEVES Domaine du Magneraud, Laboratoire BioGEVES, B.P. 52, Surgeres 17700,
France. david.zhang@geves.fr

Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based assays are widely used to
estimate the content of genetically modified (GM) materials in food, feed and
seed. It has been known that the genetic structures of the analyte can
significantly influence the GM content expressed by the haploid genome (HG) %
estimated using real-time PCR assays; this kind of influence is also understood
as the impact of biological factors. The influence was first simulated at
theoretical level using maize as a model. We then experimentally assessed the
impact of biological factors on quantitative results, analysing by quantitative
real-time PCR six maize MON 810 hybrid kernels with different genetic structures:
(1) hemizygous from transgenic male parent, (2) hemizygous from transgenic female
parent and (3) homozygous at the transgenic locus. The results obtained in the
present study showed clear influences of biological factors on GM DNA
quantification: 1% of GM materials by weight (wt) for the three genetic
structures contained 0.39, 0.55 and 1.0% of GM DNA by HG respectively, from
quantitative real-time PCR analyses. The relationships between GM wt% and GM HG% 
can be empirically established as: (1) in the case of the presence of a single GM
trait: GM HG% = GM wt% x (0.5 +/- 0.167Y), where Y is the endosperm DNA content
(%) in the total DNA of a maize kernel, (2) in the case of the presence of
multiple GM traits: GM HG% = N x GM wt% x (0.5 +/- 0.167Y), where N is the number
of GM traits (stacked or not) present in an unknown sample. This finding can be
used by stakeholders related to GMO for empirical prediction from one unit of
expression to another in the monitoring of seed and grain production chains.
Practical equations have also been suggested for haploid copy number
calculations, using hemizygous GM materials for calibration curves.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17638110 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

97: Transgenic Res. 2007 Oct;16(5):541-55. Epub 2007 Jul 6.

A multidisciplinary approach directed towards the commercial release of
transgenic herbicide-tolerant rice in Costa Rica.

Espinoza-Esquivel AM, Arrieta-Espinoza G.

Centro de InvestigaciГіn en BiologГ­a Celular y Molecular (CIBCM), Ciudad de la
InvestigaciГіn, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
amespino@racsa.co.cr

This review discusses a multidisciplinary and multicomponent approach leading to 
the development and commercial release of transgenic Costa Rican rice varieties
tolerant to the herbicide gluphosinate ammonium. We describe the field
evaluations of the transgenic lines and their potential environmental impact,
focusing on gene flow, particularly in relation to native wild Oryza species and 
weedy rice, based on trials performed in compliance with the national regulatory 
requirements of the country. We also present a socio-economic analysis of rice
production in Costa Rica and the economic benefits of genetically modified (GM)
rice as well as an environmental risk-benefit analysis for the deployment of GM
rice. Additionally, food safety evaluation, intellectual property management,
requirements for deregulation, and options for the commercialization of the new
varieties are discussed. We also present results from a national survey aimed at 
assessing the level of support for GM crops in Costa Rica as this forms an
integral component of our approach. Taken together, our results demonstrate that 
the adoption of these genetically improved rice varieties will provide clear
benefits to Costa Rican rice growers and consumers.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    Review

PMID: 17619158 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

98: Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2007 Oct-Dec;154(1-3):128-36. Epub 2007 Jun 3.

Circulating corticosterone levels in breeding blue tits Parus caeruleus differ
between island and mainland populations and between habitats.

MГјller C, Jenni-Eiermann S, Blondel J, Perret P, Caro SP, Lambrechts MM, Jenni L.

Swiss Ornithological Institute, Luzernerstrasse 6, CH-6204 Sempach, Switzerland. 
claudia.mueller@vogelwarte.ch

Little is known about whether adaptations to an insular life also involve
adaptations in basal corticosterone levels or in the adrenocortical stress
response, thus being part of a genetically based island syndrome. However,
differences in corticosterone between island and mainland may also be a direct
phenotypic response to differences in environmental conditions or may depend on
individual characteristics of the animal such as body condition or parental
investment. In this paper, we investigated whether insular (Island of Corsica)
and mainland (nearby Southern France) blue tits Parus caeruleus populations
differed in baseline and handling-stress induced corticosterone levels during the
breeding season as a response to biological changes of insular biota. We also
examined whether corticosterone levels of both mainland and insular blue tits
differed between birds living in two different habitats (summergreen and
evergreen oak woods) that differ in food availability and whether individual
characteristics affected corticosterone levels. We found (a) differences in
baseline corticosterone plasma levels between Corsica and the mainland,
independent of regional differences in fat scores, (b) a regional difference in
the relationship between corticosterone levels and brood size, (c) a difference
in the rapidity of onset of the stress response to handling between habitats,
independent of region, and (d) a negative relationship between body fat stores
and baseline corticosterone levels independent of region. Reduced baseline
corticosterone levels on Corsica may be a component of the insular syndrome,
allowing birds to be less aggressive and to enhance parental investment despite
higher breeding densities. We suggest that baseline corticosterone levels are
only elevated if food availability affects directly the parents. However, when
conditions deteriorate unexpectedly (as mimicked by handling stress), food
allocation between parents and offspring needs to be re-adjusted in favor of the 
parents, possibly by increased circulating corticosterone levels. The switch to
self-maintenance seems to be modified by the amount of body energy stores.

Publication Types: 
    Comparative Study

PMID: 17617413 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

99: Br J Soc Psychol. 2007 Jun;46(Pt 2):437-57.

Predicting behaviour towards genetically modified food using implicit and
explicit attitudes.

Spence A, Townsend E.

RASPH, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, UK. spenceAl@cardiff.ac.uk

The predictive validity of implicit and explicit attitudes is a central question 
in social psychological research with important theoretical and empirical
ramifications. Three main patterns of combining implicit and explicit attitudes
to predict behaviour have been postulated. They are, double dissociation (in
which implicit and explicit attitudes predict spontaneous and deliberate
behaviour respectively), additive (in which implicit and explicit attitudes both 
predict variance in behaviour) and interactive (in which implicit and explicit
attitudes combine to predict behaviour). These models were tested in this study
using a structural equation modelling approach utilising three different measures
of behaviour (of varying spontaneity) towards genetically modified (GM) food. The
additive pattern, in which implicit and explicit attitudes both predict variance 
in behaviour, was found to best fit the data. In addition, all behaviour measures
indicated that the majority of participants were willing to try GM food in some
situations.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17565791 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

100: Med Hypotheses. 2007;69(6):1257-60. Epub 2007 Jun 5.

Are xenogeneic anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies the holy grail for celiac 
patients?

Ivanovski PI, Ivanovski IP, Sedlarevic R.

University Children's Hospital, 10 Tirshova Str., Belgrade, Serbia.
ivanovsk@eunet.yu <ivanovsk@eunet.yu>

Celiac disease is an immune mediated disorder, the only one with a
well-established origin, resulting from a permanent gluten intolerance. Although 
a gluten-free diet is currently the "safe" and appropriate therapy for celiac
disease, this is not always an easy and simple option as "harmful" gluten may
contaminate food during the processing and preparation phases. There are also
further social pressures, which might be more pressing for young celiac patients,
in following a strict gluten-free diet. Therefore, a new therapeutic approaches
are sought which would permit celiacs to "peacefully" coexist with gluten.
Presently, the most promising looks search for genetically modified wheat lacking
toxic gluten peptides and the use of oral endopeptidases in attempt to curb
gluten toxicity. Recently discovered role of anti-tissue transglutaminase
antibodies in celiac pathogenesis has brought a prospect for a new hypothetical
therapeutic approach, an oral immunization of celiacs with xenogeneic anti-tissue
transglutaminase antibodies.

PMID: 17553630 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

101: Rev Biol Trop. 2007 Jun;55(2):347-64.

[Genetically modified crops: promises and good intentions are not enough
(refutation to Espinoza et aL 2004, Rev. Biol. Trop. 52 (3): 727-732)]

[Article in Spanish]

GarcГ­a JE.

Centro de EducaciГіn Ambiental de la Universidad Estatal a Distancia y Escuela de 
Biologia de la Universidad de Costa Rica, San JosГ©, Costa Rica.
jaimeenrique56@yahoo.com

The arguments presented by Espinoza et al. in their paper "Relationship of
genetically modified crops with the environment and health of the Costa Rican
human population" published in this journal (Rev. Biol. Trop. 52: 727-732, 2004) 
are questioned and refuted. The arguments are confronted with evidence offered by
scientists and national and international independent organizations around the
world (e.g. World Health Organization, Consumers International, Physicians and
Scientists for Responsible Application of Science and Technology, International
Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the Council of the
University of Costa Rica, and the Independent Science Panel) showing the current 
uncertainty and limitations of science in this area, as well as those of proposed
and applied biosafety approaches. Environment, biodiversity and food security are
so important and basic matters, that there is need of serious testing,
particularly when promises seem to be based on environmentally dangerous ideas
promoted half a century ago by the so called "green revolution". Debate should
continue, based on a holistic analysis of facts and with ethical reasoning,
avoiding emotional positions that can confuse virtual reality with reality.

Publication Types: 
    Comment
    English Abstract

PMID: 19069750 [PubMed - in process]

102: Biotechnol J. 2007 Jul;2(7):826-32.

Safety assessment of genetically modified organisms of plant origin in the
Russian Federation.

Tyshko NV, Aksyuk IN, Tutelyan VA.

Institute of Nutrition, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russian
Federation.

The beginning of the 21st century is characterized by growing interest in the
problems of biosafety, which are determined, on the one hand, by the wide use of 
novel biotechnologies and the necessity to develop the adequate precautionary
measures, and, on the other hand, by the objective threat of bioterrorism.
Therefore, improvement of the estimation system for genetically modified (GM)
sources of food and strengthening the control of their circulation are the urgent
problems of modern biology and medicine. Russia is one of the countries where the
estimation system of food products obtained from the GM sources is rather
efficient. The key features of this system are the complex toxicological and
epidemiological examinations. One of the main parts of GM food safety assessment 
is based upon detection of their potentially toxic properties, which could
provoke unintended effects of the genetic modification.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 17526054 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

103: Clin Exp Allergy. 2007 Jun;37(6):918-28.

Genetically glycosylated ovomucoid third domain can modulate Immunoglobulin E
antibody production and cytokine response in BALB/c mice.

Rupa P, Nakamura S, Mine Y.

Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1.

BACKGROUND: Food allergies are on the rise and it is estimated that in North
America, 8% of the children and 4% of the adults have food allergies. Food
allergies tend to occur more often in children than in adults due to their
immature digestive and immune systems. Hen's egg is among the most common cause
of food-induced allergic reactions in North America. OBJECTIVE: The present study
was undertaken to investigate the role of N-glycans of the third domain of
ovomucoid in IgE binding and modulation of allergen-specific immune response in
BALB/c mice. METHODS: The cDNA encoding the third domain of ovomucoid was
inserted into the yeast genome and expressed in Pichia pastoris X-33 cells, under
the control of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GAP) dehydrogenase promoter for
constitutive expression to obtain a post-translationally modified and
functionally active ovomucoid third domain. Upon expression, the protein was
secreted into the extracellular medium and was purified by size exclusion
chromatography. The recombinant protein was produced at 10 mg/L of the culture
supernatant. BALB/c mice were sensitized with the recombinant and native forms of
glycosylated ovomucoid third domain antigen. The allergic response of the native 
and the recombinant glycosylated forms of ovomucoid third domain antigens were
compared using antibody and cytokine measurements. RESULTS: ELISA tests indicated
a significant decrease in specific IgE antibodies to the recombinant N-linked
glycosylated form (P-Gly), when compared with the native glycosylated form
(DIII+) using mice sera. Immunization with P-Gly induced the production of
IFN-gamma [T-helper type 1 (Th1) response] and lowered the production of IL-4
(Th2 response), and a skewed balance towards the Th1 cytokine demonstrated that
P-Gly has a modulating ability on Th1/Th2 balance to down-regulate Th2 response. 
Furthermore, N-linked glycan (N28) in the third domain of ovomucoid was shown to 
be associated with suppression of the allergic response. CONCLUSION: Therefore,
we can conclude that P-Gly facilitates and contributes to the discovery of new
molecular target for the development of a safe and specific therapeutic vaccine
for the treatment of egg allergy, and oligosaccharides do seem to play a major
role in the suppression of IgE-binding activity.

Publication Types: 
    Comparative Study
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17517106 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

104: J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Jun 13;55(12):4728-34. Epub 2007 May 18.

Development of a certified reference material for genetically modified potato
with altered starch composition.

Broothaerts W, Corbisier P, Emons H, Emteborg H, Linsinger TP, Trapmann S.

European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and
Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium.
Wim.Broothaerts@ec.europa.eu

The presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed products
is subject to regulation in the European Union (EU) and elsewhere. As part of the
EU authorization procedure for GMOs intended for food and feed use, reference
materials must be produced for the quality control of measurements to quantify
the GMOs. Certified reference materials (CRMs) are available for a range of
herbicide- and insect-resistant genetically modified crops such as corn, soybean,
and cotton. Here the development of the first CRM for a GMO that differs from its
non-GMO counterpart in a major compositional constituent, that is, starch, is
described. It is shown that the modification of the starch composition of potato 
(Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers, together with other characteristics of the
delivered materials, have important consequences for the certification strategy. 
Moreover, the processing and characterization of the EH92-527-1 potato material
required both new and modified procedures, different from those used routinely
for CRMs produced from genetically modified seeds.

PMID: 17508757 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

105: Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2007;144(1):29-38. Epub 2007 May 11.

A proteomic study to identify soya allergens--the human response to transgenic
versus non-transgenic soya samples.

Batista R, Martins I, Jeno P, Ricardo CP, Oliveira MM.

Instituto Nacional de SaГєde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal.
rita.batista@insa.min-saude.pt

BACKGROUND: In spite of being among the main foods responsible for allergic
reactions worldwide, soybean (Glycine max)-derived products continue to be
increasingly widespread in a variety of food products due to their
well-documented health benefits. Soybean also continues to be one of the elected 
target crops for genetic modification. The aim of this study was to characterize 
the soya proteome and, specifically, IgE-reactive proteins as well as to compare 
the IgE response in soya-allergic individuals to genetically modified Roundup
Ready soya versus its non-transgenic control. METHODS: We performed
two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of protein extracts from a 5% genetically
modified Roundup Ready flour sample and its non-transgenic control followed by
Western blotting with plasma from 5 soya-sensitive individuals. We used peptide
tandem mass spectrometry to identify soya proteins (55 protein matches),
specifically IgE-binding ones, and to evaluate differences between transgenic and
non-transgenic samples. RESULTS: We identified 2 new potential soybean
allergens--one is maturation associated and seems to be part of the late
embryogenesis abundant proteins group and the other is a cysteine proteinase
inhibitor. None of the individuals tested reacted differentially to the
transgenic versus non-transgenic samples under study. CONCLUSION: Soybean
endogenous allergen expression does not seem to be altered after genetic
modification. Proteomics should be considered a powerful tool for functional
characterization of plants and for food safety assessment. Copyright (c) 2007 S. 
Karger AG, Basel.

Publication Types: 
    Comparative Study
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17496424 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

106: Environ Biosafety Res. 2006 Jul-Sep;5(3):151-68. Epub 2007 Mar 17.

Meteorological input data requirements to predict cross-pollination of GMO maize 
with Lagrangian approaches.

Lipsius K, Wilhelm R, Richter O, Schmalstieg KJ, Schiemann J.

Institute for Geoecology, Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Technical
University Braunschweig, Germany. K.Lipsius@tu-bs.de

Modeling pollen dispersal to predict cross-pollination is of great importance for
the ongoing discussion of adventitious presence of genetically modified material 
in food and feed. Two different modeling approaches for pollen dispersal were
used to simulate two years of data for the rate of cross-pollination of non-GM
maize (Zea mays (L.)) fields by pollen from a central 1 ha transgenic field. The 
models combine the processes of wind pollen dispersal (transport) and pollen
competition. Both models used for the simulation of pollen dispersal were
Lagrangian approaches: a stochastic particle Lagrange model and a Lagrangian
transfer function model. Both modeling approaches proved to be appropriate for
the simulation of the cross-pollination rates. However, model performance
differed significantly between years. We considered different complexity in
meteorological input data. Predictions compare well with experimental results for
all simplification steps, except that systematic deviations occurred when only
main wind direction was used. Concluding, it can be pointed out that both models 
might be adapted to other pollen dispersal experiments of different crops and
plot sizes, when wind direction statistics are available. However, calibration of
certain model parameters is necessary.

Publication Types: 
    Comparative Study
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17445511 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

107: Trends Biotechnol. 2007 Jun;25(6):239-41. Epub 2007 Apr 12.

Reduced terpene levels in cottonseed add food to fiber.

Townsend BJ, Llewellyn DJ.

CSIRO Plant Industry, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
belinda.townsend@bbsrc.ac.uk

Using RNA interference (RNAi) technology, the levels of a toxic phytoprotectant
have recently been reduced specifically in the seeds of cotton to generate a
novel dual-purpose crop. By engineering an endogenous terpene pathway, there is
now the exciting potential for an added-value, genetically modified crop with the
cash value of the fiber supported by the improved nutritional value and expanded 
food and feed use for the cottonseed, which is normally a low-value by-product.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 17433845 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

108: Anal Chim Acta. 2007 Apr 25;589(2):159-65. Epub 2007 Feb 25.

Solubilisation and binding characteristics of a recombinant beta2-adrenergic
receptor expressed in the membrane of Escherichia coli for the multianalyte
detection of beta-agonists and antagonists residues in food-producing animals.

Danyi S, Degand G, Duez C, Granier B, Maghuin-Rogister G, Scippo ML.

Department of Food Sciences, Laboratory of Analysis, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, University of LiГЁge, Sart-Tilman, LiГЁge, Belgium. sdanyi@ulg.ac.be
<sdanyi@ulg.ac.be>

The number of substances with beta-agonistic activity, illegally introduced in
meat production or in sports doping as anabolic or beta-blocking agents is
increasing. Analytical methods suited for their multianalyte detection are thus
necessary. In this perspective, receptor assays were developed. The research
activities undertaken in this study describe the solubilisation of a recombinant 
human beta(2)-adrenergic receptor produced in the inner membrane of genetically
modified Escherichia coli, using the detergent n-dodecyl-beta-d-maltoside. Its
potential to detect the presence of beta-agonists or beta-blockers in biological 
samples was evaluated. The solubilised beta(2)-adrenergic receptor retained its
binding affinity in a radio-receptor assay based on the competition for the
binding to receptors between a ligand (beta-agonist or antagonist) and the
radioligand [(125)I]iodocyanopindolol. The IC(50) values ranged from 5+/-1 x
10(-8) M (clenbuterol) to 8+/-2 x 10(-6) M (isoxsuprine) for the beta-agonists
tested and from 1.5+/-0.2 x 10(-10) M (carazolol) to 1.2+/-0.2 x 10(-5) M
(metoprolol) for the beta-blockers tested. It was shown to have a lower limit of 
detection than a radio-receptor assay using the solubilised beta(2)-adrenoceptor 
expressed in a mammalian cell line. The solubilised recombinant human
beta(2)-adrenoreceptor expressed in E. coli would be a useful tool to develop non
radioactive multianalyte screening methods.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17418176 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

109: Bull Entomol Res. 2007 Apr;97(2):211-5.

Evaluation of Bt-toxin uptake by the non-target herbivore, Myzus persicae
(Hemiptera: Aphididae), feeding on transgenic oilseed rape.

Burgio G, Lanzoni A, Accinelli G, Dinelli G, Bonetti A, Marotti I, Ramilli F.

Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agroambientali, Alma Mater
Studiorum-UniversitГ  di Bologna, Viale Fanin 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
gburgio@entom.agrsci.unibo.it

As consequence of the concern about the biosafety of genetically modified plants,
biological and ecological studies are considered crucial for environmental risk
assessment. Laboratory experiments were carried out in order to evaluate the
transfer of the Cry1Ac Bt-toxin from a transgenic Bt-oilseed rape to a non-target
pest, Myzus persicae Sulzer. Cry1Ac protein levels in plants and aphids were
determined using a double sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Phloem sap 
from (Bt+) and (Bt-) oilseed rape plants was collected from leaves using a
standard method of extraction in an EDTA buffer. Bt-toxin was present in phloem
sap, with a mean concentration of 2.7 +/- 1.46 ppb, corresponding to a 24-fold
lower level than in oilseed rape leaves. Toxin was also detected in aphid
samples, with a mean concentration in the positive samples of 2.0 +/- 0.8 ppb.
The evidence that Bt-toxin remains in herbivores, in this case an aphid, could be
useful to clarify functional aspects linked to possible consequences of Bt-crops 
on food chains involving herbivore-natural enemy trophic systems. Further studies
are needed in order to improve the knowledge on the functional aspects linked to 
the transfer of the Cry1Ac Bt-toxin from GM-oilseed rape to aphids and their
possible consequence.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17411484 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

110: J Agric Food Chem. 2007 May 2;55(9):3351-7. Epub 2007 Apr 3.

Detection methods for biotech cotton MON 15985 and MON 88913 by PCR.

Lee SH, Kim JK, Yi BY.

Gene Analysis Laboratory, Experiment Research Institute of National Agricultural 
Products Quality Management Service, Seoul 150-043, South Korea.
starlee@naqs.go.kr

Plants derived through agricultural biotechnology, or genetically modified
organisms (GMOs), may affect human health and ecological environment. A living
GMO is also called a living modified organism (LMO). Biotech cotton is a GMO in
food or feed and also an LMO in the environment. Recently, two varieties of
biotech cotton, MON 15985 and MON 88913, were developed by Monsanto Co. The
detection method is an essential element for the GMO labeling system or LMO
management of biotech plants. In this paper, two primer pairs and probes were
designed for specific amplification of 116 and 120 bp PCR products from MON 15985
and MON 88913, respectively, with no amplification from any other biotech cotton.
Limits of detection of the qualitative method were all 0.05% for MON 15985 and
MON 88913. The quantitative method was developed using a TaqMan real-time PCR. A 
synthetic plasmid, as a reference molecule, was constructed from a taxon-specific
DNA sequence of cotton and two construct-specific DNA sequences of MON 15985 and 
MON 88913. The quantitative method was validated using six samples that contained
levels of biotech cotton mixed with conventional cotton ranging from 0.1 to
10.0%. As a result, the biases from the true value and the relative deviations
were all within the range of +/-20%. Limits of quantitation of the quantitative
method were all 0.1%. Consequently, it is reported that the proposed detection
methods were applicable for qualitative and quantitative analyses for biotech
cotton MON 15985 and MON 88913.

PMID: 17402745 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

111: Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2007 May;52(4):596-602. Epub 2007 Mar 13.

New analysis of a rat feeding study with a genetically modified maize reveals
signs of hepatorenal toxicity.

SГ©ralini GE, Cellier D, de Vendomois JS.

Committee for Independent Information and Research on Genetic Engineering
CRIIGEN, Paris, France. criigen@unicaen.fr

Health risk assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) cultivated for
food or feed is under debate throughout the world, and very little data have been
published on mid- or long-term toxicological studies with mammals. One of these
studies performed under the responsibility of Monsanto Company with a transgenic 
corn MON863 has been subjected to questions from regulatory reviewers in Europe, 
where it was finally approved in 2005. This necessitated a new assessment of
kidney pathological findings, and the results remained controversial. An Appeal
Court action in Germany (MГјnster) allowed public access in June 2005 to all the
crude data from this 90-day rat-feeding study. We independently re-analyzed these
data. Appropriate statistics were added, such as a multivariate analysis of the
growth curves, and for biochemical parameters comparisons between GMO-treated
rats and the controls fed with an equivalent normal diet, and separately with six
reference diets with different compositions. We observed that after the
consumption of MON863, rats showed slight but dose-related significant variations
in growth for both sexes, resulting in 3.3% decrease in weight for males and 3.7%
increase for females. Chemistry measurements reveal signs of hepatorenal
toxicity, marked also by differential sensitivities in males and females.
Triglycerides increased by 24-40% in females (either at week 14, dose 11% or at
week 5, dose 33%, respectively); urine phosphorus and sodium excretions
diminished in males by 31-35% (week 14, dose 33%) for the most important results 
significantly linked to the treatment in comparison to seven diets tested. Longer
experiments are essential in order to indicate the real nature and extent of the 
possible pathology; with the present data it cannot be concluded that GM corn
MON863 is a safe product.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17356802 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

112: Exp Appl Acarol. 2007;41(3):191-201. Epub 2007 Mar 3.

Toxicological evaluation of genetically modified cotton (Bollgard) and Dipel WP
on the non-target soil mite Scheloribates praeincisus (Acari: Oribatida).

Oliveira AR, Castro TR, Capalbo DM, Delalibera I Jr.

Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Agricultural Zoology, University of
Sao Paulo, CP 9, 13418-900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.

Insecticides derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and plants
genetically modified (GM) to express B. thuringiensis toxins are important
alternatives for insect pest control worldwide. Risk assessment of B.
thuringiensis toxins to non-target organisms has been extensively studied but few
toxicological tests have considered soil invertebrates. Oribatid mites are one of
the most diverse and abundant arthropod groups in the upper layers of soil and
litter in natural and agricultural systems. These mites are exposed to the toxic 
compounds of GM crops or pesticides mainly when they feed on vegetal products
incorporated in the soil. Although some effects of B. thuringiensis products on
Acari have been reported, effects on oribatid mites are still unknown. This study
investigated the effects of the ingestion of Bt cotton Bollgard and of the B.
thuringiensis commercial product Dipel WP on the pantropical species
Scheloribates praeincisus (Scheloribatidae). Ingestion of Bollgard and Dipel did 
not affect adult and immature survivorship and food consumption (estimated by
number of fecal pellets produced daily) or developmental time of immature stages 
of S. praeincisus. These results indicate the safety of Bollgard and Dipel to S. 
praeincisus under field conditions where exposition is lower and other food
sources besides leaves of Bt plants are available. The method for toxicological
tests described here can be adapted to other species of Oribatida, consisting on 
a new option to risk assessment studies.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17334814 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

113: J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Apr 4;55(7):2509-16. Epub 2007 Feb 28.

Identification of PCR-amplified genetically modified organisms (GMOs) DNA by
peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes in anion-exchange chromatographic analysis.

Rossi S, Lesignoli F, Germini A, Faccini A, Sforza S, Corradini R, Marchelli R.

Dipartimento di Chimica Organica e Industriale UniversitГ  di Parma, Viale G. P.
Usberti 17/A, I-43100 Parma, Italy.

PCR products obtained by selective amplification of transgenic DNA derived from
food samples containing Roundup Ready soybean or Bt-176 maize have been analyzed 
by anion-exchange HPLC. Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), oligonucleotide analogues
known to bind to complementary single-stranded DNA with high affinity and
specificity, have been used as specific probes in order to assess the identity of
the peaks observed. Two different protocols were adopted in order to obtain
single-stranded DNA: amplification with an excess of one primer or digestion of
one DNA strand. The single-stranded DNA was mixed with the PNA probe, and the
presence of a specific sequence was revealed through detection of the
corresponding PNA:DNA peak with significantly different retention time.
Advantages and limits of this approach are discussed. The method was tested with 
reference materials and subsequently applied to commercial samples.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17326652 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

114: Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Jul;45(7):1179-85. Epub 2007 Jan 11.

Safety assessment of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis with VIP insecticidal
protein gene by feeding studies.

Peng D, Chen S, Ruan L, Li L, Yu Z, Sun M.

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and
Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of 
China.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicology safety of a genetically
modified (GM) Bacillus thuringiensis with vegetative insecticidal protein (VIP)
gene. Acute and subacute toxicity studies by using its powder preparation were
conducted in Wistar rats. The result of the acute study showed the
no-observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of this GM B. thuringiensis powder
preparation was greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight (BW). In the subacute study, 
the data analysis of body weight gain, food and water consumptions, clinical
observations, haematology, serum biochemistry, organ weight ratios and
histopathological findings did not show significant differences between control
and treated groups. These results proved the NOAEL of this GM B. thuringiensis
powder preparation in subacute test was greater than 5000 mg/kg BW. Since both
the acute and subacute oral toxicity were not detected at the highest dose
recommended by OECD guidelines, this GM B. thuringiensis could be generally
regarded as safe for use in bio-pesticide industry.

Publication Types: 
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17320261 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

115: Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Apr;45(4):530-42. Epub 2006 Aug 25.

Approaches in the risk assessment of genetically modified foods by the Hellenic
Food Safety Authority.

Varzakas TH, Chryssochoidis G, Argyropoulos D.

Hellenic Food Safety Authority (EFET), Directorate of Nutritional Policy and
Research, Karystou 5, 115 23 Ampelokipoi, Greece. theovarzakas@yahoo.gr

Risk analysis has become important to assess conditions and take decisions on
control procedures. In this context it is considered a prerequisite in the
evaluation of GM food. Many consumers worldwide worry that food derived from
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may be unhealthy and hence regulations on
GMO authorisations and labelling have become more stringent. Nowadays there is a 
higher demand for non-GM products and these products could be differentiated from
GM products using the identity preservation system (IP) that could apply
throughout the grain processing system. IP is the creation of a transparent
communication system that encompasses HACCP, traceability and related systems in 
the supply chain. This process guarantees that certain characteristics of the
lots of food (non-GM origin) are maintained "from farm to fork". This article
examines the steps taken by the Hellenic Food Safety Authority to examine the
presence of GMOs in foods. The whole integrated European legislation framework
currently in place still needs to be implemented in Greece. Penalties should be
enforced to those who import, process GMOs without special licence and do not
label those products. Similar penalties should be enforced to those companies
that issue false certificates beyond the liabilities taken by the food
enterprises for farmers' compensation. We argue that Greece has no serious
reasons to choose the use of GMOs due to the fact that the structural and
pedologic characteristics of the Greek agriculture favour the biological and
integrated cultivation more. Greece is not in favour of the politics behind
coexistence of conventional and GM plants and objects to the use of GMOs in the
food and the environment because the processor has a big burden in terms of
money, time and will suffer a great deal in order to prove that their products
are GMO free or that any contamination is adventitious or technically
unavoidable. Moreover, Greece owns a large variety of genetic material that
should try to protect from patenting and commercialisation. Finally, we should be
aware of the requirements of movement of GMOs within borders, i.e. GMOs grown or 
used in other countries but which are not intended to cross into Greece, since
Greece is very close to countries that are non-EU. This is where the development 
of a new, integrated, trustworthy and transparent food quality control system
will help to satisfy the societal demands for safe and quality products. On the
other hand, Greece should not be isolated from any recent scientific
technological development and should assess the possible advantages for some
cultivation using a case by case approach. Finally, the safety assessment of GM
foods and feed has been discussed according to the risk assessment methodology
applied by EFSA.

Publication Types: 
    Review

PMID: 17275157 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]