New methodologies for assessing the potential of unintended effects in genetically modified food crops

PROPOSAL: QLK1-1999-00765 ACRONYM GMOCARE
AREA: FP5 - QoL, 5/ 1:Food, Nutrition and Health 1 - Development of safe and flexible and new and/or improved manufacturing processes and technologies Call number / date: 1a
PROJECT TYPE: Shared Cost EU CONTRIBUTION: 2,690,000
STARTING DATE: 01/02/00 DURATION: 36 months

Coordinator: Dr. H.P.J.M. Noteborn, RIKILT-DLO, Risk Assessment and Toxicology, P.O.Box 230, NL -6700 AE, Wageningen, The Netherlands, Email: h.p.j.m.noteborn@rikilt.wag-ur.nl

Project Description:
Market introduction of genetically modified (GM) food crops in Europe has given rise to broad public concern, which of a great deal is based on uncertainties related to safety for humans, animals and environment. One of the key issues in the risk assessment of GM crop plants is whether unexpected hazardous metabolic perturbations (so-called unintended effects) may have taken place in the organism due to genetic modification, that could affect its food or nutritional status. It is recognised that adequate and effective animal models to identify and trace the sources of potential unintended effects do not exist. The objective of the project is to develop new methodologies that are of sufficient sensitivity and specificity to assess risks from this possible food borne hazard. Implicit in this objective is the need to develop new knowledge intended to understand the implications of the genetic modification process on metabolic pathways in plants. Strong emphasis is placed on the exploitation of combinative and innovative 'cell factory' technologies (genomics, proteomics and metabolomics). EXPECTED RESULTS An integrated novel approach for the ascertainment whether the GM food crop with added values is comparable (substantial equivalent) to existing foods and a methodology to eliminate potential hazardous metabolic perturbations in whole GM plants at the earliest step(s) in the food chain. Establishment of informative profiles including databases of molecules of different biological integration levels, e.g. mRNAs (DNA microarrays), proteins (including post-translational modifications), primary and secondary plant products/metabolites in a representative number of non-modified, mutated and GM plants (i.e. Arabidopsis, Nicotiana, potato and tomato) that might be useful benchmarks for the detection of unintended effects. A ranking of the potential of unintended effects in GM crops compared with changes caused by other conditions that influence the outcome (e.g. environmental factors, location effects, growth conditions, seasons etc.). A basis for risk assessment at the molecular level, and may therefore refine and complement, and eventually reduce animal experimentation. APPLICATIONS The project is highly pertinent to and relevant to underpin EU legislation on Novel Foods and GM food crops in particular and will meet the needs of Community policies. The new methodology will be of use for the agri-food industry as it contributes to a more informed awareness of the 'real risks' related to GM-foods by providing an objective scientific data package directed towards a holistic view on the genetic modification process. Meeting these achievements will also contribute to efforts being made to improve existing food safety and quality assessments, and may boost and rebuild the Union's citizens confidence and trust in the supply of wholesome safe, nutritious and healthy GM food crops, balanced ecosystems, and safe environment.

Project URL: http://www.entransfood.com/RTDprojects/GMOCARE/default.htm

Consortium:
Co-ordinator: Department: STATE INSTITUTE FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS Organisation: Agricultural Research Department 45 Bornsesteeg 45 PO Box 230 6700 AE WAGENINGEN NETHERLANDS Participants Organisation: Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) Invergowrie DD2 5DA Dundee UNITED KINGDOM Organisation: Royal Holloway and Bedford New College Egham Hill TW20 0EX Egham - Surrey UNITED KINGDOM Organisation: Arhus Universitet 1 Nordre Ringgade 1-3 8000 AARHUS C DENMARK Organisation: University of Kuopio Savilahdentie 9 PO Box 1627 70211 KUOPIO FINLAND Organisation: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique Rue de la Federation 31-33 BP 510 75752 PARIS FRANCE Department: INSTITUTE OF FOOD SAFETY AND TOXICOLOGY Organisation: Danish Veterinary and Food Administration Moerkhoej Bygade 19 2860 SOEBORG DENMARK Organisation: Institute of Food Research Norwich Research Park, Colney NR4 7UA NORWICH UNITED KINGDOM Organisation: Universitaet fur Bodenkultur Wien 33 Gregor Mendel-Strasse 33 1180 WIEN AUSTRIA Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel Pleinlaan 2 1050 BRUXELLES BELGIUM Organisation: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) 147 rue de l'Université 75341 Paris FRANCE


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