EFSA's Scientific Opinion on Placing on the Market of GM Maize Lines

The panel on Genetically Modified Organisms of the European Food Safety Authority reported its scientific opinion on the safety of insect resistant and herbicide tolerant genetically modified maize MON 89034 x 1507 x MON 88017 x 59122 (EFSA-GMO-CZ-2008-62) and MON 89034 x 1507 x NK603 (EFSA-GMO-NL-2009-65) and their sub combinations of the individual events which could be present in its segregating progeny, for food and feed uses, import and processing. Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto applied for these licenses.

Following the EFSA guideline, the scientific evaluation of the risk assessment included molecular characterization of the inserted DNA and expression of the corresponding proteins. Other safety evaluations conducted include: comparative analyses of composition; agronomic and phenotypic traits; safety of the new proteins, both individually and in combination; the whole food/feed evaluation with respect to potential toxicity, allergenicity and nutritional quality. Since the application is for food and feed uses, import and processing and excludes cultivation in the EU, there is no requirement for scientific assessment of possible environmental effects associated with the cultivation of this GM maize.

The EFSA GMO Panel concluded that "the information available for maize MON 89034 x 1507 x MON 88017 x 59122 and MON 89034 x 1507 x NK603 addresses the scientific comments raised by the Member States and that these GM lines, as described in their respective applications, are as safe as their conventional counterpart and commercial maize varieties, with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.

For details, the see the news at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/scdocs/doc/s1781.pdf and at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/scdocs/doc/s1782.pdf