Unintended effects and their detection in genetically
modified crops
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 42 (7):
1089--1125 (2004)Abstract
The commercialisation of GM crops in Europe is
practically non-existent at the present time. The
European Commission has instigated changes to the
regulatory process to address the concerns of consumers
and member states and to pave the way for removing the
current moratorium. With regard to the safety of GM
crops and products, the current risk assessment process
pays particular attention to potential adverse effects
on human and animal health and the environment. This
document deals with the concept of unintended effects
in GM crops and products, i.e. effects that go beyond
that of the original modification and that might impact
primarily on health. The document first deals with the
potential for unintended effects caused by the
processes of transgene insertion (DNA rearrangements)
and makes comparisons with genetic recombination events
and DNA rearrangements in traditional breeding. The
document then focuses on the potential value of
evolving "profiling" or ömics" technologies as
non-targeted, unbiased approaches, to detect unintended
effects. These technologies include metabolomics
(parallel analysis of a range of primary and secondary
metabolites), proteomics (analysis of polypeptide
complement) and transcriptomics (parallel analysis of
gene expression). The technologies are described,
together with their current limitations. Importantly,
the significance of unintended effects on consumer
health are discussed and conclusions and
recommendations presented on the various approaches
outlined.