Exposure of livestock to GM feeds: Detectability and measurement. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nadal, Anna; De Giacomo, Marzia; Einspanier, Ralf; Kleter, Gijs; Kok, Esther; McFarland, Sarah; Onori, Roberta; Paris, Alain; Toldrà, Mònica; van Dijk, Jeroen; Wal, Jean-Michel; Pla, Maria
• Is Part Of: Food and chemical toxicology. Volume 117(2018)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Animal tissue -- DNA and protein transfer -- Exposure assessment -- Genetically modified organism (GMO) -- Livestock -- Traceability; bp base pairs -- Bt Bacillus thuringiensis -- cp chloroplast -- CTAB cetyltrimethylammonium bromide -- ddPCR droplet digital polymerase chain reaction -- EFSA European Food Safety Authority -- ELISA Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay -- EU European Union -- GI gastrointestinal -- ISO International Organization for Standardization -- GM genetically modified -- GMO genetically modified organism -- LOD limit of detection -- NEP newly expressed protein -- NGS next-generation sequencing -- PCR polymerase chain reaction -- qPCR quantitative polymerase chain reaction -- UGMO unauthorized genetically modified organism; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Food poisoning -- Periodicals; Food Poisoning -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Toxicologie -- Périodiques; Intoxications alimentaires -- Périodiques; Food poisoning; Toxicology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.08.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-6915

Abstract

Abstract: This review explores the possibilities to determine livestock consumption of genetically modified (GM) feeds/ingredients including detection of genetically modified organism (GMO)-related DNA or proteins in animal samples, and the documentary system that is in place for GM feeds under EU legislation. The presence and level of GMO-related DNA and proteins can generally be readily measured in feeds, using established analytical methods such as polymerase chain reaction and immuno-assays, respectively. Various technical challenges remain, such as the simultaneous detection of multiple GMOs and the identification of unauthorized GMOs for which incomplete data on the inserted DNA may exist. Given that transfer of specific GMO-related DNA or protein from consumed feed to the animal had seldom been observed, this cannot serve as an indicator of the individual animal's prior exposure to GM feeds. To explore whether common practices, information exchange and the specific GM feed traceability system in the EU would allow to record GM feed consumption, the dairy chain in Catalonia, where GM maize is widely grown, was taken as an example. It was thus found that this system would neither enable determination of an animal's consumption of specific GM crops, nor would it allow for quantitation of the exposure. Highlights: Reviewed data show that both DNA- and protein-based methods can be used to detect genetically modified ingredients in feed. Transfer of transgenic DNA/proteins from consumed feed to animal tissues is not a good biomarker for GM exposure measurement. Traceability documents for GM crops (EU) allow for identifying animals having consumed GM feed compounds to a limited extent. Traceability documentation is not able to quantify the intake and identify the specific genetically modified crops involved.