A risk-based classification scheme for genetically modified foods. I: Conceptual development.
The predominant paradigm for the premarket assessment of genetically modified (GM) foods reflects heightened public concern by focusing on foods modified by recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) techniques, while foods modified by other methods of genetic modification are generally not assessed for safety. To determine whether a GM product requires less or more regulatory oversight and testing, we developed and evaluated a risk-based classification scheme (RBCS) for crop-derived GM foods. The results of this research are presented in three papers. This paper describes the conceptual development of the proposed RBCS that focuses on two categories of adverse health effects: (1) toxic and antinutritional effects, and (2) allergenic effects. The factors that may affect the level of potential health risks of GM foods are identified. For each factor identified, criteria for differentiating health risk potential are developed. The extent to which a GM food satisfies applicable criteria for each factor is rated separately. A concern level for each category of health effects is then determined by aggregating the ratings for the factors using predetermined aggregation rules. An overview of the proposed scheme is presented, as well as the application of the scheme to a hypothetical GM food.
Chao
Eunice
E
McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart Street, Ottawa, Ont., Canada KIN 6N5. echao@uottawa.ca
Krewski
Daniel
D
D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D019649:Food Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification* / Q000592:standards; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007881:Legislation, Food; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards