title: Lack of detectable allergenicity of transgenic maize and soya samples.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The safety issues regarding foods derived from genetically modified (GM) plants are central to their acceptance into the food supply. The potential allergenicity of proteins newly introduced in GM foods is a major safety concern.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to monitor, in potentially sensitive human populations, the allergenicity effects of 5 GM materials obtained from sources with no allergenic potential and already under commercialization in the European Union.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have performed skin prick tests with protein extracts prepared from transgenic maize (MON810, Bt11, T25, Bt176) and soya (Roundup Ready) samples and from nontransgenic control samples in 2 sensitive groups: children with food and inhalant allergy and individuals with asthma-rhinitis. We have also tested IgE immunoblot reactivity of sera from patients with food allergy to soya (Roundup Ready) and maize (MON810, Bt11, Bt176) samples, as well as to the pure transgenic proteins (CryIA[b] and CP4 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase).
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the individuals undergoing tests reacted differentially to the transgenic and nontransgenic samples under study. None of the volunteers tested presented detectable IgE antibodies against pure transgenic proteins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The transgenic products under testing seem to be safe in terms of allergenic potential. We propose postmarket testing as an important screening strategy for putative allergic sensitization to proteins introduced in transgenic plants.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal. rbatista@itqb.unl.pt
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.forename: Baltazar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carmo
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Helena São
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: José
authors.forename: António Bugalho
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.forename: Alda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manique
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bento
authors.forename: Cândido Pinto
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Ricardo
authors.forename: Maria Margarida
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D012449:Safety; D012882:Skin Tests; D013025:Glycine max / Q000276:immunology*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E