Journal or Publishing Institution: Biology of Growing Animals
Study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877182309701043
Author(s): Pusztai, A. and Bardocz, S.
Article Type: Report
Record ID: 1967
Abstract: The chapter presents a study on the potential benefits and risks of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in animal nutrition. As there are only small compositional differences between the “substantially equivalent” genetically modified (GM) and non-GM crops, these have little biological significance. Most GM and parental line crops fall short of the definition of “substantial equivalence,” which is a concept that has outlived its previously claimed usefulness. Thus, novel biological concepts and methods to probe into the safety of gene splicing are needed. The chapter presents a critical examination of the previously published animal studies in the light of a newly suggested testing protocol, in which the safety of GM crops is established from the effects of the GM ingredients on the physiology, pathohistology, immunology and bacterial flora of the gastrointestinal tract of young animals and the metabolic consequences of these effects. In genetic modification the intended gene is incorporated into the genome of a crop, using a vector containing several other genes, including as a minimum: viral promoters, transcription terminators, antibiotic resistance or other marker genes and reporter genes. The importance of the analysis of such unintended effects in GM foods however, has recently been recognized by including them in the Codex Alimentarius guidelines.
Keywords: GM foods, genetic modification, substantial equivalence, animal studies, food safety, gastrointestinal effects, guidelines
Citation: Pusztai, A. and Bardocz, S., 2006. GMO in animal nutrition: potential benefits and risks. Biology of Growing Animals, 4, pp.513-540.
