Germany
June 11, 2009
Source:
GMO Compass
The
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a new
opinion on antibiotic resistance marker genes in genetically
modified plants. Based thereon, BASF has called for the EU
Commission to approve Amflora, the genetically modified potato
developed by the company.
For years,
the EU has debated approval of the Amflora potato, which
displays an altered starch composition. In May 2008, the EU
Commission postponed its pending decision, since not all aspects
of the antibiotic resistance marker gene (nptII) used in the
potato had been clarified. EFSA received the mandate to deliver
a new "consolidated safety assessment". As a change to previous
conditions, not only the GMO Panel of experts was called into
play, but also the Biological Hazards Panel (BIOHAZ).
The joint
scientific opinion of both panels concluded that "adverse
effects on human health and the environment" as a result of the
use of the marker genes in genetically modified plants "are
unlikely based on the current state of knowledge". No transfer
of the marker gene from GM plants to bacteria has been seen to
date, either under natural conditions or in the lab. Only if
such a "horizontal gene transfer" were actually to occur would
the antibiotic resistance be transferred from the GM plant to
the pathogen.
EFSA's
opinion specifically addresses two antibiotic resistance
markers, nptII (resistance to Kanamycin) and aaDA (resistance to
Streptomycin). Both antibiotics are of "clinical importance" in
human and veterinary medicine. Of course, there is "worldwide
concern" when an increasing number of infectious disease
pathogens spread that are resistant to these antibiotics, but
the marker genes from GM plants have not contributed to this
development, said EFSA.
Two members
of the BIOHAZ Panel expressed minority opinions. The EFSA
consequently addressed these opinions in order to determine if
further scientific evaluations were necessary. The chairs of
both panels declared that these minority opinions were
extensively considered in the preparation of the joint
scientific assessment and that no additional work was needed.
Immediately
following publication of the EFSA opinion, BASF called on the EU
Commission to grant approval for the use of the Amflora potato
in the EU. "Today's assessment gives the entire EU Commission
the final scientific clarity to approve Amflora," said Dr.
Stefan Marcinowski, Member of the Board of Executive Directors
of BASF. He reiterated the EU Commission's statement from May
2008 that it would grant approval for Amflora as soon as EFSA
confirmed the safety of the product.
See also on GMO-Compass:
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