Biotech Updates

Studies on GM Feeds

January 12, 2007

Researchers at the Federal Agricultural Research Center (FAL) in Braunschweig, Germany have been conducting studies with feeds from genetically modified (GM) plants (GMP) in the nutrition of swine, poultry, and cattle. The majority of the experiments were undertaken with GMP of the so-called first generation (plants with input traits and without substantial changes in composition). The fate of DNA during feed processing, in the digestive tract of animals, and in the animal body was one of the focal points of the studies.

The iso- and transgenic feeds were subjected to compositional analyses, and nutritional and safety assessment. In agreement with more than 100 animal studies available to date, results show no significant differences in the nutritional value of feeds from GMP of the first generation and that of feeds from non-GMP varieties. To date, no fragments of recombinant DNA have been found in any organ or tissue sample from animals fed with GMP.

The abstract of the article “Studies on feeds from genetically modified plants (GMP) – Contributions to nutritional and safety assessment” is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T42-4KWTFD8-3&_user=677719&_handle
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