common vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli and has been consumed naturally by In this commentary, the following claims were humans without adverse effects. made: The 35S promoter in various forms has itself Researchers have viral “discovered” been used safely in GM crops for nearly 30 gene sequences in GM crops that were years. previously unknown to regulators. Serious ramifications for crop The European Food Safety Authority has biotechnology, regulatory agencies, reached similar conclusions and has consumers and farmers. Could present an unidentified safety risk to humans and could disturb normal functions of crop plants. Ingestion of microRNAs Zhang et al. (2012) Exogenous plant MIR168a specifically This study reported that naturally occurring plant The study dealt with miRNAs found in targets mammalian LDLRAP1: evidence of cross-kingdom microRNAs (miRNAs) in food can be detected in conventional (non-GM) rice, indicating that regulation by microRNA. Cell Research 22: 107 126. the bloodstream of mammals, including this is a natural phenomenon. No specific – humans, following ingestion. It appears also association was made in the study with GM from experiments in mice, that these small crops. molecules may have the potential to modulate mammalian gene expression. Some of the findings in this study, and the interpretation of results, have been disputed Following publication of the study, concerns e.g. were raised in some quarters that DNA ingested from GM crops could inhibit the expression of Petrick, J.S., Brower-Toland, B., Jackson, A.L. and important human proteins e.g. Kier, L.D. (2013) Regulatory Toxicology and 167 176. Pharmacology 66: – Heinemann (2012). Evaluation of risks from Zhang, Y., Wiggins, B.E., Lawrence, C., Petrick, J., creation of novel RNA molecules in genetically Ivashuta, S. and Heck, G. (2012b) . BMC engineered wheat plants and recommendations Genomics 2012, open access(13):381. for risk assessment. Witwer, K.W., McAlexander, M.A., Queen, S.E. Heinemann (2013) Update on of “Evaluation and Adams, R.J. (2013) . Limited evidence for
In this commentary, the following claims were made: Researchers have “discovered” viral gene sequences in GM crops that were previously unknown to regulators. Serious ramifications for crop biotechnology, regulatory agencies, consumers and farmers. Could present an unidentified safety risk to humans and could disturb normal functions of crop plants. common vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli and has been consumed naturally by humans without adverse effects. The 35S promoter in various forms has itself been used safely in GM crops for nearly 30 years. The European Food Safety Authority has reached similar conclusions and has Ingestion of microRNAs Zhang et al. (2012) Exogenous plant MIR168a specifically targets mammalian LDLRAP1: evidence of cross-kingdom regulation by microRNA. Cell Research 22: 107 – 126. This study reported that naturally occurring plant microRNAs (miRNAs) in food can be detected in the bloodstream of mammals, including humans, following ingestion. It appears also from experiments in mice, that these small molecules may have the potential to modulate mammalian gene expression. Following publication of the study, concerns were raised in some quarters that DNA ingested from GM crops could inhibit the expression of important human proteins e.g. Heinemann (2012). Evaluation of risks from creation of novel RNA molecules in genetically engineered wheat plants and recommendations for risk assessment. Heinemann (2013) Update on “Evaluation of The study dealt with miRNAs found in conventional (non-GM) rice, indicating that this is a natural phenomenon. No specific association was made in the study with GM crops. Some of the findings in this study, and the interpretation of results, have been disputed e.g. Petrick, J.S., Brower-Toland, B., Jackson, A.L. and Kier, L.D. (2013) Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 66: 167 – 176. Zhang, Y., Wiggins, B.E., Lawrence, C., Petrick, J., Ivashuta, S. and Heck, G. (2012b) . BMC Genomics 2012, open access(13):381. Witwer, K.W., McAlexander, M.A., Queen, S.E. and Adams, R.J. (2013) . Limited evidence for
11_Table%20of%20studies_update_26Nov15.docx