Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), however, are of the
opinion that Seralini and colleagues have not provided new evidence that
would call in question the results of previous assessments of the rat study
considered as one set of data in the comparative safety assessment of the
MON863 maize. The BfR concluded that the mostly minor, though sta-
tistically significant differences observed between test and control groups
showed no consistent pattern but reflect the existing natural range of
variation. Therefore, the observed statistically significant differences are
not toxicologically relevant.
43
Supplemental information on the possible occurrence of unintended
effects can be obtained from comparative growth studies conducted with
young rapidly growing animal species such as broiler chickens.
Advances in molecular biology, toxicology, biochemistry, and nutri-
tion will lead to GM crops with more complex changes in metabolism,
such as nutritionally enhanced crops, but will also provide new method-
ologies that can be developed into new safety assessment tools.
Competent authorities and safety assessment bodies are aware of the
need to amend the existing guidelines for safety assessment of GM crops
and derived foods and feeds accordingly to make all conceivable efforts
to protect consumers from health risks.
44
Acceptance of GMO andDerived Foods
Starting with the first arrival of GM soybeans at European harbors in
1996, consumer and environmental organizations have voiced their con-
cerns about the safety of GM crops and derived foods, about consumer
freedom of choice, and about the impacts the new technology may have
43
http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/208/90 tage studie an ratten mit mon863 mais.pdf;
http://www.gmo-safety.eu/news/493.statistically-significant-differences-occur-
practically-feeding-studies.html.
44
EFSA is currently updating its guidance document for the risk assessment of geneti-
cally modified plants and derived food and feed.
