New guidance suggests comparative field trials and certain dietary exposure assessments may not always be necessary when previously assessed GM traits are combined.
The European Food Safety Authority’s Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms has issued a scientific opinion that could simplify the approval process for certain genetically modified crops.
Published in the EFSA Journal, the opinion focuses on the food and feed risk assessment of GM plants containing stacked transformation events. These crops are produced by conventionally crossing independently modified plant lines to combine traits such as pest resistance and herbicide tolerance.
Panel Draws on 20 Years of Experience
Drawing on 20 years of risk assessment experience, the GMO Panel concluded that comparative field trials may not always be necessary when assessing stacked GM crops. Developers could receive a derogation from these trials if specific criteria are met.
To qualify, all genetic modifications within the stack must produce newly expressed proteins that do not modify the plant’s metabolism. If the individual GM traits have already been assessed as safe and there is no evidence that their combination alters the plant’s basic metabolism, the panel considers additional comparative field trials scientifically unnecessary, according to a press release.
Some Dietary Exposure Assessments Could Also Be Waived
Applicants may also be exempt from certain dietary exposure assessments when there are no genetic interactions that affect the expression levels of the newly introduced proteins.
Updated Standards for Molecular Data
The panel also proposed updated standards for presenting molecular characterization data. The revised approach is intended to reduce unnecessary testing when existing evidence indicates no additional risk, while maintaining safety requirements for European consumers and the environment.
For further details, read the full scientific opinion in the EFSA Journal.
