Abstract
This study assessed the effect of feeding stacked genetically modified (GM) corn event (MON89034 × MON88017) on embryonic development, adult tissue histology and assessed the possibility of transgenic DNA transfer, using zebrafish as an animal model. Adult zebrafish were separated into male and female groups. After 3 weeks of feeding with experimental diets, males and females were paired once a week and fertilized embryos were collected, then the male and female fish were re-turned to their sex-specific groups. This fertilization and embryo collection process were repeated 3 times. Embryonic morphological measurements were obtained on developing embryos up to 96 hours after fertilization, and then the embryos were fixed in 4% phosphate-buffered paraformal-dehyde for morphologic assessment. At the end of the feeding study, various adult zebrafish tissues were histologically examined for abnormalities. Both zebrafish tissues and embryos were analyzed for presence of plant specific genes and transgenic sequences. No changes or abnormalities were observed in embryonic morphology nor in any of the tissues examined histologically. In addition, no plant DNA reference genes or transgenic DNA were found in any of the analyzed samples. These results demonstrate that the safety and nutrition of MON89034 × MON88017 corn are similar to non-GM corn.
Highlights
With the worldwide commercialization and rapid increase in genetically modified organisms (GMOs), numerous transgenic crops are being developed with modified trait involving multiple genes for various characteristics with the expectation of solving problems such as disease, weed management and enhancing production efficiency as well as improving functional properties [1]
We are the first to have performed embryonic morphological assessments of zebrafish embryos (ZFEs) produced by adult fish fed GM corn compared to Zebrafish embryos (ZFEs) from adult fed non-GM corn
No deformities were observed in the body length, eye area or yolk sac area of ZFEs produced by control zebrafish fed non-GM corn or in ZFEs produced by treated zebrafish fed GM corn
Summary
With the worldwide commercialization and rapid increase in genetically modified organisms (GMOs), numerous transgenic crops are being developed with modified trait involving multiple genes for various characteristics with the expectation of solving problems such as disease, weed management and enhancing production efficiency as well as improving functional properties [1]. In the Commission Implementation Regulation (EU) No 503/2013, which came into force in June 2013 [4], it is reported that stacked GM events need to be assessed in relation to: 1) stability of the inserts; 2) expression of the introduced genes and their gene products; and 3) potential synergistic or antagonistic effects. This pertains to any subcombinations, in the case of a multiple stacked GM event, where the stacked GM event has not yet been authorized separately. GM plants directly consumed by human or the transfer of the recombinant DNA and proteins from diet to livestock and livestock derived products that are consumed by humans may pose a perceived or possibly even real development of toxicity leading to risk to human health [11]
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