Journal or Publishing Institution: Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences
Author(s): Zdunczyk, Z.
Article Type: Journal Publication
Record ID: 1656
Abstract: During the last five years, the global area of transgenic crop (GM-genetically modified) cultivation increased 25-fold. About 98% of GM crops are grown in the USA, Argentina and Canada from where they are sent to many importers of soyabean and maize. The results of feeding experiments indicate that soyabean meal obtained from herbicide-tolerant lines and insect-resistant maize are substantially and nutritionally equivalent to their conventional lines. A higher content of insecticidal α-amylase inhibitors (as well as lectins and alkaloids) may increase plants’ resistance to insect attack, as well as the decrease nutritional value of seeds. Evaluation of the concordance of the chemical composition of transgenic and conventional crops (i.e., verification of substantial equivalence) is not sufficient for proving the safety of transgenic food. Sub-chronic in vivo experiments as well as comparison of nutritional equivalence of transgenic and conventional crops are advisable. Such actions are justified not only by the possibility of undesirable transgenic effects, but also by the consumer’s right to explicit information on food safety. Without evaluation of nutritional equivalence, information on GM-food safety is much more deficient than existing knowledge on the quality of feeds used in animal nutrition.
Keywords: GM Crop, Safety Issues, Food Security, In Vivo Evaluation; Feed Composition, Nutritive Value, Foods, Genetically Organisms, Food Contamination, Feeds, In Vivo Experimentation, Food Safety, Transgenic Plants, Chemical Composition, Quality; Foods, Plants, Chemical Composition
Citation: Zdunczyk, Z., 2001. In vivo experiments on the safety evaluation of GM components of feeds and foods. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 10, pp.195-210.
