Genetically engineered plants

Testbiotech comment on EFSA GMO Panel´s Scientific Opinion on the assessment of genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for renewal of authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-RX-002) from Bayer/ Monsanto

TESTBIOTECH Background 30 - 8 - 2020

The genetically engineered, herbicide-tolerant (glyphosate) oilseed rape, GT73, produces two different enzymes that confer herbicide resistance (CP4 EPSPS and GOX proteins). The assessment for renewal of authorisation was carried out within the framework of EU Implementing Regulation 503/2013 (EFSA, 2020a).

Testbiotech comment on EFSA’s assessment of genetically engineered maize MZIR098 for food and feed uses, under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-DE-2017-142) by Syngenta

Maize MZIR098 was produced by Syngenta to express the following proteins:• synthetic Bt toxin eCry3.1Ab (fusion of modified Cry3A (mCry3A) gene and a synthetic Cry1Ab),• synthetic Bt toxin mCry3A (plant codon optimised Cry3A),• PAT conferring resistance to the active herbicide ingredient, glufosinate ammonium. Implementing Regulation 503/2013 was applied in the EFSA risk assessment (EFSA, 2020a).

Testbiotech comment on EFSA’s assessment of genetically engineered maize MON88017 for renewal authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-RX-014) from Bayer/Monsanto (April 2020)

The EFSA GMO panel assessed genetically engineered maize MON88017 for renewal of authorisation. This maize produces• Cry3Bb1 protein against the larvae of Coleoptera (beetles) that feed below the ground;• CP4 EPSPS protein for tolerance to glyphosate-containing herbicides. Implementing Regulation 503/2013 was applied in the EFSA risk assessment.

What is (not) genetic engineering?

It is often claimed that new genetic engineering methods like CRISPR/Cas only do what continuously happens in nature anyway. Is this really true?

Testbiotech comment on EFSA’s assessment of genetically engineered soybean SYTH0H2 for food and feed uses, under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-DE-2012-111) by Syngenta

TESTBIOTECH Background 20 - 2 -2020

Soybean SYTH0H2 contains genes conferring resistance to two groups of herbicides:• pat – for tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate• avhppd-03 – for tolerance to mesotrione and other HPPD inhibitors (such as isoxaflutole). Implementing Regulation 503/2013 was not applied in this case because the application was submitted in 2012, one year before the Implementing Regulation came weiterlesen