Journal or Publishing Institution: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Date of Publication: 11/01/2008
Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18347840
Author(s): Bøhn, T., Primicerio, R., Hessen, D.O., and Traavik, T.
Article Type: Peer Reviewed Study
Abstract:
Genetically modified (GM) maize expressing the Bt-toxin Cry1Ab (Bt-maize) was tested for effects on survival, growth, and reproduction of the water flea Daphnia magna, a crustacean arthropod commonly used as a model organism in ecotoxicological studies. In three repeated experiments, D. magna were fed 100% ground maize in suspension, using either GM or isogenic unmodified (UM) maize. D. magna fed GM-maize showed a significantly reduced fitness performance: The mortality was higher, a lower proportion of females reached sexual maturation, and the overall egg production was lower compared to D. magna fed UM isogenic maize. We conclude that the tested variety of Bt-maize and its UM counterpart do not have the same quality as food sources for this widely used model organism. The combination of a reduced fitness performance combined with earlier onset of reproduction of D. magna fed Bt-maize indicates a toxic effect rather than a lower nutritional value of the GM-maize.
Keywords: genetically modified crops, non target organisms, non target effects, genetically modified (GM) maize, genetically modified (GM) corn, genetically engineered (GE), transgenic crops, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Bt corn, Bt maize, Bt crops, Bt toxin, Bacillus thuringienus, Cry proteins, Cry toxins, pesticides, insecticides, endotoxins, Cry1Ab, Daphnia magna, feeding study, water flea
Citation:
Bøhn, T., Primicerio, R., Hessen, D.O., and Traavik, T., 2008. Reduced fitness of Daphnia magna fed a Bt-transgenic maize variety. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 55(4), pp. 584-592.
Category:
- Environmental effects
- Pesticide use
Record ID: 217
