Testbiotech comment on EFSA’s assessment of genetically engineered maize Bt11 x MIR162 x MIR604 x 1507 x 5307 x GA21 and subcombinations (May 2019)

The GMO panel assessed the six-event stacked maize Bt11 x MIR162 x MIR604 x 1507 x 5307 x GA21, which is derived from crossing genetically engineered maize events and produced by Syngenta (EFSA, 2019a). The maize contains genes conferring resistance to two herbicides and produces five insecticidal proteins.

• Bt11 expressing Cry1Ab insecticidal protein and PAT protein for tolerance to glufosinate-containing herbicides;
• MIR162 expressing Vip3Aa20 insecticidal protein and phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) protein (used as a selectable marker);
• MIR604 expressing Cry3A (mCry3A) insecticidal protein and phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) protein (used as a selectable marker);
• 1507 expressing the Cry1F insecticidal protein and phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT) protein for tolerance to glufosinate-containing herbicides;
• maize 5307 expressing eCry3.1Ab insecticidal protein and and phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) protein (used as a selectable marker);
• GA21 expressing mEPSPS protein for tolerance to glyphosate-containing herbicides.

Consequently, the stacked maize produces five insecticidal toxins; Cry1Ab, Vip3Aa20 and Cry1F that target Lepidoptera insects, and mCry3A, eCry3.1Ab (both synthetic, not corresponding to natural templates) that target Coleoptera. The maize is also resistant to two groups of complementary herbicides (glyphosate and glufosinate). Even though Implementing Regulation 503/2003 has been in force since 2014, EFSA has not applied it in this case.

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 
2019
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