Multigeneration reproductive and developmental toxicity study of bar gene inserted into genetically modified potato on rats.
Each specific protein has an individual gene encoding it, and a foreign gene introduced to a plant can be used to synthesize a new protein. The identification of potential reproductive and developmental toxicity from novel proteins produced by genetically modified (GM) crops is a difficult task. A science-based risk assessment is needed in order to use GM crops as a conventional foodstuff. In this study, the specific characteristics of GM food and low-level chronic exposure were examined using a five-generation animal study. In each generation, rats were fed a solid pellet containing 5% GM potato and non-GM potato for 10 wk prior to mating in order to assess the potential reproductive and developmental toxic effects. In the multigeneration animal study, there were no GM potato-related changes in body weight, food consumption, reproductive performance, and organ weight. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out using extracted genomic DNA to examine the possibility of gene persistence in the organ tissues after a long-term exposure to low levels of GM feed. In each generation, the gene responsible for bar was not found in any of the reproductive organs of the GM potato-treated male and female rats, and the litter-related indexes did not show any genetically modified organism (GMO)-related changes. The results suggest that genetically modified crops have no adverse effects on the multigeneration reproductive-developmental ability.
Rhee
Gyu Seek
GS
Department of Toxicology, National Institute of Toxicological Research, Korea Food and Drug Administration, Seoul.
Cho
Dae Hyun
DH
Won
Yong Hyuck
YH
Seok
Ji Hyun
JH
Kim
Soon Sun
SS
Kwack
Seung Jun
SJ
Lee
Rhee Da
RD
Chae
Soo Yeong
SY
Kim
Jae Woo
JW
Lee
Byung Mu
BM
Park
Kui Lea
KL
Choi
Kwang Sik
KS
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified / Q000633:toxicity*; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000235:genetics*; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D018675:Toxicity Tests
D018744:DNA, Plant