Open AccessNew EU legislation for risk assessment of GM food: no scientific justification for mandatory animal feeding trials
Author(s) -
Kuiper Harry A.,
Kok Esther J.,
Davies Howard V.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1111/pbi.12091
Subject(s) - legislation , european union , risk assessment , european commission , genetically modified organism , food safety , biology , animal testing , risk analysis (engineering) , microbiology and biotechnology , commission , genetically engineered , business , political science , international trade , food science , law , computer science , ecology , biochemistry , gene , computer security
Summary This commentary focuses on the potential added value of and need for (sub)‐chronic testing of whole genetically modified (GM) foods in rodents to assess their safety. Such routine testing should not be required since, due to apparent weaknesses in the approach, it does not add to current risk assessment of GM foods. Moreover, the demand for routine testing using animals is in conflict with the European Union (EU) Commission's efforts to reduce animal experimentation. Regulating agencies in the EU are invited to respect the sound scientific principles applied to the risk assessment of foods derived from GM plants and not to interfere in the risk assessment by introducing extra requirements based on pseudo‐scientific or political considerations.