Unregistered Event in GM Maize Poses No Risk, Says USDA

Results of the study conducted by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed that the unregistered genetically engineered pesticide product Event 32, poses no health, plant pest and environmental concerns. Dow AgroSciences detected the unregistered plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) in some of their Herculex RW and Herculex XT products.

Analysis revealed that the introduced proteins produced by Event 32 are identical to those produced by a registered PIP, Event 22. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) took steps to ensure that Dow recalled all affected seeds that were delivered to dealers for the 2008 planting season. The department is confident that the 2008 US corn crop will not be affected by the leakage. According to estimates, no more than 0.0002 percent of the 2007 crop may have contained the unregistered event.

The news release is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2008/02/ge_corn_e32.shtml