Scientists Test Effect of Event 5307 Maize in Non-target Organisms

Transgenic maize event 5307 produces insecticidal protein eCry3.1Ab, an engineered chimera of Cry1Ab and modified Cry3A, to have internal protection against Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera). Laboratory tests were conducted to check if maize event 5307 cultivation would affect non-target organisms such as earthworm, mouse, shrimp, catfish, beetles, and bugs.

The non-target organisms were fed with eCry3.1Ab or diet with maize tissues and then evaluated for effects. Results showed that there were no significant differences in the survival of the non-target organisms exposed to the insecticidal protein and the control. Measured eCry3.1Ab concentrations in the laboratory studies were equal to or greater than the most conservative estimates of environmental exposure. The results of the laboratory studies indicate that there is no ecological risk in cultivation of maize event 5307.

Read the research article in Transgenic Research: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11248-013-9778-4.