Case studies on genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Potential risk scenarios and associated health indicators. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Santis, Barbara; Stockhofe, Norbert; Wal, Jean-Michel; Weesendorp, Eefke; Lallès, Jean-Paul; van Dijk, Jeroen; Kok, Esther; De Giacomo, Marzia; Einspanier, Ralf; Onori, Roberta; Brera, Carlo; Bikker, Paul; van der Meulen, Jan; Kleter, G.
• Is Part Of: Food and chemical toxicology. Volume 117(2018)
• Page Start: 36
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Genetically modified -feed -- Allergenicity -- Horizontal gene transfer -- Mycotoxin-reduction -- Nutritionally altered geneticalli modified crops -- Health indicators; 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.2017.08.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-6915

Abstract

Abstract: Within the frame of the EU-funded MARLON project, background data were reviewed to explore the possibility of measuring health indicators during post-market monitoring for potential effects of feeds, particularly genetically modified (GM) feeds, on livestock animal health, if applicable. Four case studies (CSs) of potential health effects on livestock were framed and the current knowledge of a possible effect of GM feed was reviewed. Concerning allergenicity (CS-1), there are no case-reports of allergic reactions or immunotoxic effects resulting from GM feed consumption as compared with non-GM feed. The likelihood of horizontal gene transfer (HGT; CS-2) of GMO-related DNA to different species is not different from that for other DNA and is unlikely to raise health concerns. Concerning mycotoxins (CS-3), insect-resistant GM maize may reduce fumonisins contamination as a health benefit, yet other Fusarium toxins and aflatoxins show inconclusive results. For nutritionally altered crops (CS-4), the genetic modifications applied lead to compositional changes which require special considerations of their nutritional impacts. No health indicators were thus identified except for possible beneficial impacts of reduced mycotoxins and nutritional enhancement. More generally, veterinary health data should ideally be linked with animal exposure information so as to be able to establish cause-effect relationships. Highlights: No case-reports of allergic reactions or immunotoxic effects were found in GM versus non GM-fed animals. HGT probability of GM-DNA is equal to that one of non-GM, however transfer is unlikely to raise health concerns. Scientific evidence shows that fumonisins reduction is more often an advantageous side effect in GM crop. The potential contribution of nutritionally altered crops does not envisage nutritional imbalances in animal diets. No animal health indicator was found to be distinctively associated with GM-crop-based feeding regimes.