Tage Thorstensen
Research Scientist
Authors
Monica Sanden Johanna Eva Bodin Nur Duale Kristian Prydz Volha Shapaval Anne-Marthe Ganes Jevnaker Ville Erling Sipinen Tage ThorstensenAbstract
The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of the genetically modified maize DP23211 for food and feed uses, import and processing in the EU. In accordance with an assignment specified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), VKM assesses whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for the European market can pose risks to human or animal health, or the environment in Norway. VKM assesses the scientific documentation regarding GMO applications seeking approval for use of GMOs as food and feed, processing, or cultivation. The EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC (Regulation) covers living GMOs that fall under the Norwegian Gene Technology Act, as well as processed food and feed from GMOs (dead material) that fall under the Norwegian Food Act. The regulation is currently not part of the EEA agreement or implemented in Norwegian law. Norway conducts its own assessments of GMO applications in preparation for the possible implementation of the Regulation. In accordance with the assignment by NFSA and NEA, VKM assesses GMO applications during scientific hearings initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as after EFSA has published its own risk assessment of a GMO, up until EU member countries vote for or against approval in the EU Commission. The assignment is divided into three stages. (link) Maize DP23211 DP23211 is a genetically modified maize that expresses the double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) DvSSJ1, and the insecticidal protein IPD072Aa, both conferring resistance to corn rootworm pests. DP23211 maize also expresses the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) for tolerance to glufosinate herbicide, and the enzyme phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) used as a selectable marker during development. The scientific documentation provided in the application for DP23211 maize is adequate for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidance on risk assessment of genetically modified plants for use in food or feed. The VKM GMO panel does not consider the introduced modifications in DP23211 maize to imply potential specific health or environmental risks in Norway, compared to EU-countries. The EFSA scientific Opinion is adequate also for Norwegian conditions. Therefore, a full risk assessment of DP23211 maize was not performed by the VKM GMO Panel. About the assignment: In stage 1, VKM shall assess the health and environmental risks of the genetically modified organism and derived products in connection with the EFSA scientific hearing of GMO applications. VKM shall review the scientific documentation that the applicant has submitted and possibly provide comments to EFSA. VKM must also consider: i) whether there are specific Norwegian conditions that could give other risks in Norway than those mentioned in the application, ii) whether the Norwegian diet presents a different health risk for the Norwegian population should the GMO be approved, compared to the European population, and iii) risks associated with co-existence with conventional and/or ecologic production of plants for GMOs seeking approval for cultivation. Relevant measures to ensure co-existence must also be considered. In stage 2, VKM shall assess whether comments from Norway have been satisfactorily answered by EFSA. In addition, VKM shall assess whether comments from other countries imply need for further follow-up. If EFSAs response to Norwegian comments is not satisfactory, or comments by other countries imply the need for further follow-up, VKM shall in stage 3 perform a risk assessment of these conditions, including conditions specific to Norway.
Authors
Monica Sanden Johanna Eva Bodin Nur Duale Anne-Marthe Ganes Jevnaker Kristian Prydz Volha Shapaval Ville Erling Sipinen Tage ThorstensenAbstract
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Authors
Monica Sanden Johanna Eva Bodin Nur Duale Kristian Prydz Volha Shapaval Tage Thorstensen Anne-Marthe Ganes Jevnaker Ville Erling SipinenAbstract
The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of the genetically modified maize MON 94804 for food and feed uses, import and processing in the EU. In accordance with an assignment specified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), VKM assesses whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for the European market can pose risks to human or animal health, or the environment in Norway. VKM assesses the scientific documentation regarding GMO applications seeking approval for use of GMOs as food and feed, processing, or cultivation. The EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC (Regulation) covers living GMOs that fall under the Norwegian Gene Technology Act, as well as processed food and feed from GMOs (dead material) that fall under the Norwegian Food Act. The regulation is currently not part of the EEA agreement or implemented in Norwegian law. Norway conducts its own assessments of GMO applications in preparation for the possible implementation of the Regulation. In accordance with the assignment by NFSA and NEA, VKM assesses GMO applications during scientific hearings initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as after EFSA has published its own risk assessment of a GMO, up until EU member countries vote for or against approval in the EU Commission. The assignment is divided into three stages. (link) Maize MON 94804 MON 94804 is a genetically modified maize developed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation of maize cells. Maize MON 94804 expresses a micro-RNA (miRNA) transcript, that leads to reduced levels of the hormone gibberellin in the plant. Gibberellin is involved in, i.a., plant stem elongation. Thus, maize MON 94804 plants grow shorter than other maize. The scientific documentation provided in the application for maize MON 94804 is adequate for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidance on risk assessment of genetically modified plants for use in food or feed. The VKM GMO panel does not consider the introduced modifications in maize MON 94804 to imply potential specific health or environmental risks in Norway, compared to EU-countries. The EFSA scientific Opinion is adequate also for Norwegian conditions. Therefore, a full risk assessment of maize MON 94804 was not performed by the VKM GMO Panel.