Safety assessment of biotechnology used in animal production, including genetically modified (GM) feed and GM animals - a review

Since the beginning of the large-scale commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in the mid-nineties, it has continuously increased. This has occurred in particular in non-European countries from which these crops may be exported as commodities to Europe and other markets. Before genetically modified organisms (GMO) are allowed onto the market as animal feed and/or food, they have to undergo a regulatory safety assessment as required by the law in many nations, including that of European Union (EU) nations under EU regulations. This safety assessment is based on an internationally harmonized approach of comparative safety assessment, in which the differences identified during the extensive comparison between a GMO and a conventional counterpart serve as basis for a further safety assessment. The GMOs that have been notified for regulatory approval and assessed for their safety as feed and food in the EU have so far been derived from crops and microorganisms. It is expected that in the near future, also several genetically modified (GM) animals may initially reach the market outside the EU. International activities to harmonize the safety assessment of GM animals have already started and have resulted in the issuance of specific guidelines by Codex alimentarius. Moreover, PEGASUS, an EU-funded project, will consider the perceptions, advantages and disadvantages of GM animals, including perspectives from the social-and life-sciences

Gentech in de veehouderij

Nederland en Europa moeten zich voorbereiden op de komst van nieuwe genetische technieken in de dierhouderij. De eerste genetisch gemodificeerde kweekvissen liggen waarschijnlijk binnen een paar jaar in supermarkten buiten Europa. En illegale toepassing van gendoping bij dieren is niet ondenkbaar, zegt onderzoeker Gijs Kleter van het RIKILT - Instituut voor voedselveilighei

Screening of transgenic proteins expressed in transgenic food crops for the presence of short amino acid sequences identical to potential, IgE – binding linear epitopes of allergens

BACKGROUND: Transgenic proteins expressed by genetically modified food crops are evaluated for their potential allergenic properties prior to marketing, among others by identification of short identical amino acid sequences that occur both in the transgenic protein and allergenic proteins. A strategy is proposed, in which the positive outcomes of the sequence comparison with a minimal length of six amino acids are further screened for the presence of potential linear IgE-epitopes. This double track approach involves the use of literature data on IgE-epitopes and an antigenicity prediction algorithm. RESULTS: Thirty-three transgenic proteins have been screened for identities of at least six contiguous amino acids shared with allergenic proteins. Twenty-two transgenic proteins showed positive results of six- or seven-contiguous amino acids length. Only a limited number of identical stretches shared by transgenic proteins (papaya ringspot virus coat protein, acetolactate synthase GH50, and glyphosate oxidoreductase) and allergenic proteins could be identified as (part of) potential linear epitopes. CONCLUSION: Many transgenic proteins have identical stretches of six or seven amino acids in common with allergenic proteins. Most identical stretches are likely to be false positives. As shown in this study, identical stretches can be further screened for relevance by comparison with linear IgE-binding epitopes described in literature. In the absence of literature data on epitopes, antigenicity prediction by computer aids to select potential antibody binding sites that will need verification of IgE binding by sera binding tests. Finally, the positive outcomes of this approach warrant further clinical testing for potential allergenicity

Human papillomavirus-associated increase in p16INK4A expression in penile lichen sclerosus and squamous cell carcinoma

Re-use of this article is permitted in accordance with the Creative Commons Deed, Attribution 2·5, which does not permit commercial exploitationBackground: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are sexually transmitted human carcinogens that may play a role in the oncogenesis of penile cancer. Objectives: To investigate the role of HPV infection and expression of the tumour suppressor protein p16INK4A in the pathogenesis of penile cancer. Methods: By means of polymerase chain reaction amplification and reverse hybridization line probe assay to detect HPV infection, and immunohistochemical staining for p16INK4A and Ki67, we analysed 26 penile squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and 20 independent penile lichen sclerosus (LS) lesions from 46 patients. Results: HPV DNA was found in 54% of penile SCCs and 33% of penile LS cases in single and multiple infections. High-risk HPV 16 was the predominant HPV type detected. No relationship between Ki67 expression and HPV infection was observed. Strong immunostaining for p16INK4A correlated with HPV 16/18 infection in both penile LS and penile SCC. In our penile SCC series the cancer margins were also associated with penile LS in 13 of 26 lesions, and HPV was detected in seven of the 13 SCC cases associated with LS and in six of the 11 SCC lesions not involving LS. Conclusions: Our study shows a high prevalence of HPV 16 and p16INK4A expression in penile lesions, consistent with an active role for HPV in interfering with the retinoblastoma pathway. High-risk HPV infection could be involved in the tumorigenic process in 50% of penile cancers, and the use of prophylactic HPV vaccines has the potential to prevent these cancers.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy at OECD: Future Trends.

The OECD Council Recommendation on Recombinant DNA Safety Considerations is a legal instrument which has been in force since 1986. It outlines the safety assessment practices that countries should have in place for agricultural and environmental biotechnology. This article suggests possible updates to make it suitable for the modern era