New EU legislation for risk assessment of GM food: no scientific justification for mandatory animal feeding trials

About the image above-- excessive precaution conflicts with ethical treatment of animals: European Directive (2010) Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Official Journal of the European Union, 20.10.2010, No L 276/33.

Mentioned in Harry A. Kuiper, Esther J. Kok, and Howard V. Davies 2013:

Summary

This commentary focuses on the potential added value of and need for (sub)-chronic testing of whole genetically modified (GM) foods in rodents to assess their safety. Such routine testing should not be required since, due to apparent weaknesses in the approach, it does not add to current risk assessment of GM foods. Moreover, the demand for routine testing using animals is in conflict with the European Union (EU) Commission's efforts to reduce animal experimentation. Regulating agencies in the EU are invited to respect the sound scientific principles applied to the risk assessment of foods derived from GM plants and not to interfere in the risk assessment by introducing extra requirements based on pseudo-scientific or political considerations.

Keywords:

• risk assessment;
• GM foods;
• EU legislation;
• animal feeding trials;
• European food safety authority

Harry A. Kuiper, Esther J. Kok, Howard V. Davies

Plant Biotechnology Journal Article first published online: 21 JUN 2013 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12091

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@ New EU legislation for risk assessment of GM food: no scientific justification for mandatory animal feeding trials - Kuiper - 2013 - Plant Biotechnology Journal - Wiley Online Library: