EFSA guidance on the submission of applications for authorisation of genetically modified plants under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003

This document provides guidance to applicants for submitting an application for authorisation of genetically modified (GM) plants for food and feed uses, import and processing, and/or cultivation in the European Union under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The EFSA submission guidance describes the community procedures in the European Union for handling GM plant applications, and provides instructions to applicants on how to prepare and present data in an application. It is supplemented with seven appendices providing templates of data presentation to be followed by applicants, including a completeness checklist. The earlier versions are now updated to account for requirements outlined in Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013. Instructions for submission described in this EFSA guidance are applicable to all GM plant applications submitted under Articles 5, 11, 17 and 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003

Are all GMOs the same? Consumer acceptance of cisgenic rice in India

Citation: Shew, A. M., Nalley, L. L., Danforth, D. M., Dixon, B. L., Nayga, R. M., Delwaide, A. C., & Valent, B. (2016). Are all GMOs the same? Consumer acceptance of cisgenic rice in India. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 14(1), 4-7. doi:10.1111/pbi.12442India has more than 215 million food-insecure people, many of whom are farmers. Genetically modified (GM) crops have the potential to alleviate this problem by increasing food supplies and strengthening farmer livelihoods. For this to occur, two factors are critical: (i) a change in the regulatory status of GM crops, and (ii) consumer acceptance of GM foods. There are generally two classifications of GM crops based on how they are bred: cisgenically bred, containing only DNA sequences from sexually compatible organisms; and transgenically bred, including DNA sequences from sexually incompatible organisms. Consumers may view cisgenic foods as more natural than those produced via transgenesis, thus influencing consumer acceptance. This premise was the catalyst for our study-would Indian consumers accept cisgenically bred rice and if so, how would they value cisgenics compared to conventionally bred rice, GM-labelled rice and 'no fungicide' rice? In this willingness-to-pay study, respondents did not view cisgenic and GM rice differently. However, participants were willing-to-pay a premium for any aforementioned rice with a 'no fungicide' attribute, which cisgenics and GM could provide. Although not significantly different (P = 0.16), 76% and 73% of respondents stated a willingness-to-consume GM and cisgenic foods, respectively

Statement on a conceptual framework for the risk assessment of certain food additives re-evaluated under Commission Regulation (EU) No 257/2010

The Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) provides a scientific statement presenting a conceptual framework for the risk assessment of certain food additives re-evaluated under Commission Regulation (EU) No 257/2010. This framework will be used in the evaluation made by the Panel, but the expert judgement of the scientific background, on a case-by-case basis, remains essential to reach a final conclusion. The outcome of the re-evaluation of food additives taking into account all available information is presented in the document, as well as the exposure assessment scenarios to be carried out by the Panel considering the use levels set in the legislation and the availability of adequate usage or analytical data

Genetically modified organisms and turkish legislation

The main purpose of my article is to discuss what GMOs are, the controversies about this specific issue and the related regulations that are put forward by the authorities. GMOs are genetically altered organisms which have been widely produced and breeded in certain parts of the world. According to some experts, this special practice of agriculture emerged in order to put an end to famine and prevent food scarcity. As growing GMOs seems to be more convenient than the traditional farming, it is more eligible to produce food in large scale which will be a fine solution for food scarcity. However, there are some oppositions to the GMOs. It is strongly believed that the real causes of famine is not related to production, it is a problem of distribution of food. Moreover, patenting the seeds leads to an unstoppable control and dominance over food by the private enterprises. Therefore, the opponents state that the aims of these companies are solely financial gain and monopolisation in food production. Patenting the seeds is another arguable issue. It poses a great threat for the organic farmers since GMO seeds can contaminate the others through natural ways. This is not the only danger that organic farmers face with; thay can also be sued by the GMO producers for this unintended exposure to GMO seeds. Not only the diminishing of the variety of species but also the possible adverse effects of GMOs on human health create a debate between the two groups. These are not the only topics that are open to discussion. In addition to these, labelling the products creates a huge problem among the poorly educated consumers as they have not been clearly regulated in some countries. Hence, this subject having such a close connection to human health cannot be ignored by the law. In fact, a number of countries have enacted legislation in order to regulate this sensitive field. Turkey, having been dependent on the import of the agricultural goods for a period of time, has to join these countries with a recent legislation. All these contemporary issues for Turkey will be highlighted in my article

Genetically Modified Products – Contradictions and Challenges

This paper aims to identify the perception that consumers have about GM products, also taking into consideration the evolution of consumption and production of products based on genetically modified organisms. Therefore, the paper presents both aspects to clarify the concept of genetically modified organism (GMO issues such as typology, national or international regulations regarding this area) and global market development of genetically modified organisms, evolution which is presented by statistical data concerning the whole global area cultivated with genetically modified organisms. The paper has also managed to demonstrate through an exploratory research concerning consumer’s knowledge about GMO products, their attitude about biotechnology applications, the need for GMO-based products for scientific progress, the risks or advantages of genetically modified organisms and the paper has also managed to identify the key GMO-based products and to analyze the GMO Roundup Ready soybean species distribution in supermarkets in Bucharest.Biotechnology, genetically modified products, quality, market, producer, consumer

Genetically Modified Products in Lithuania: Situational Analysis and Consumers’ Attitudes

The paper analyses the genetically modified organism products (GMP) in relation to genetically modified organisms (GMO) from two perspectives: 1) from the theoretical standpoint, discussing the GMO and GMP trade conditions and 2) from the practical perspective, namely analysing the availability of GMP in the Lithuanian market. With the growing of genetically modified products (GMP) levels, it becomes important to examine the situation of genetically modified products. According to various studies on Lithuanian public opinion on genetic modification, genetically modified organisms and their products, we can provide for the future of GMOs in the Lithuanian market. Although there are different opinions about genetically modified products not only in Lithuania, but also throughout the world, the level of development in this area increases every year. This is one of the reasons for which it is necessary to know and explore the Lithuanian population, as the buyer of the genetically modified products, and to examine the Lithuanian market of these products. Although the market is limited for these products, it is still very important to know as much as possible about genetically modified organisms and their effects on humans and the environment, and the future of the people, as consumers have their own opinion about them.genetically modified organisms (GMO), genetically modified foods and products (GMP), agriculture in international trade, consumers’ attitude, Lithuania

Labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms

Advancements in transgenic technologies have led to the widespread use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Recent criticism of the use of GMOs due to health hazards has brought attention to whether or not these items should be mandatorily labeled. Due to the controversy regarding the safety of consuming GMOs, the public has differing views on labeling GMOs. This study explored how accurately the public’s opinions regarding the labeling of GMOs are reflected in the United States’ biotechnological and agricultural policies. A qualitative analysis of eight primary sources was conducted, half were surveys and the other half were documents from the United States government. The surveys consisted of national samples questioning the public on their opinions on various aspects of GMOs, such as whether they should be mandatorily labeled and what information should be included on the label. The government documents were bills in regards to regulations on GMOs as well as regulations published by the Food and Drug Administration. Research conducted thus far pertaining to the survey portion of the content analysis concluded that the public wishes for GMOs to be explicitly labeled. However, the United States’ federal policies consider the labeling of GMOs to be on a voluntary basis and do not require any specification of whether a food item has previously been genetically modified. An analysis of these results is still ongoing. The results of this research study will be significant because it will reveal the differences between the policies currently in place for GMO Labeling and what the nation’s citizens would want. The results could be a call to action to alter the policies in place so that they exhibit the public’s opinion to the greatest potential

Composting rapidly degrades DNA from genetically modified plants

Organic farmers are concerned about the use of genetically modified plants (GM plants) in conventional agriculture. The concern is mainly focused on the risk of spreading of pollen or seeds from GM plans to adjacent fields. There has been less focus on the environmental impact of exposing the soil to genetically modified DNA (i.e. transgenic DNA) from GM plants residues left in the field. Yet, the new EU directive on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (EU, 2001) requires a "description of post-release treatment methods for the genetically modified plant material including wastes"