Cited by 95Genetically Modified Organisms ResearchAgricultural safety and regulationsRisk Perception and Management

EFSA’s scientific activities and achievements on the risk assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) during its first decade of existence: looking back and ahead

Devos, Yann, Aguilera, Jaime, Diveki, Zoltán, Gomes, Ana, Liu, Yi, Paoletti, Claudia, du Jardin, Patrick, Herman, Lieve +2 more·2014·Transgenic Research

Abstract

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and derived food and feed products are subject to a risk analysis and regulatory approval before they can enter the market in the European Union (EU). In this risk analysis process, the role of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which was created in 2002 in response to multiple food crises, is to independently assess and provide scientific advice to risk managers on any possible risks that the use of GMOs may pose to human and animal health and the environment. EFSA's scientific advice is elaborated by its GMO Panel with the scientific support of several working groups and EFSA's GMO Unit. This review presents EFSA's scientific activities and highlights its achievements on the risk assessment of GMOs for the first 10 years of its existence. Since 2002, EFSA has issued 69 scientific opinions on genetically modified (GM) plant market registration applications, of which 62 for import and processing for food and feed uses, six for cultivation and one for the use of pollen (as or in food), and 19 scientific opinions on applications for marketing products made with GM microorganisms. Several guidelines for the risk assessment of GM plants, GM microorganisms and GM animals, as well as on specific issues such as post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) were elaborated. EFSA also provided scientific advice upon request of the European Commission on safeguard clause and emergency measures invoked by EU Member States, annual PMEM reports, the potential risks of new biotechnology-based plant breeding techniques, evaluations of previously assessed GMOs in the light of new scientific publications, and the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes in GM plants. Future challenges relevant to the risk assessment of GMOs are discussed. EFSA's risk assessments of GMO applications ensure that data are analysed and presented in a way that facilitates scientifically sound decisions that protect human and animal health and the environment.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s11248-013-9741-4

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  • Several groups reviewing the evidence for health hazards of genetic modification have found no evidence for harms, but methods for such evaluation remain heterogeneous.

    “Several groups reviewing the evidence for health hazards of genetic modification have found no evidence for harms;130-134 however, methods for such evaluation remain heterogeneous.135-139”

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Authors
Devos, Y., Aguilera, J., Diveki, Z., Gomes, A., Liu, Y., Paoletti, C., du Jardin, P., Herman, L., Perry, J. N., & Waigmann, E.
Affiliations
  • European Food Safety Authority (IT)
  • Instituut voor Landbouw en Visserijonderzoek (BE)
Corresponding author
Devos, Yann
Venue
Transgenic Research
Published
2013-08-21
Volume
23
Issue
1
Pages
1-25
ISSN
  • 0962-8819 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-9368
OpenAlex
W2129740820
Cited by
95
References
146
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Transgenic Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ORBi (University of Liège) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Genetically Modified Organisms Research
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Agricultural safety and regulations
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Risk Perception and Management
Keywords
genetically modified organisms, EFSA, GMO risk assessment, scientific opinion, post-market environmental monitoring, safeguard clauses, emergency measures, GMO regulation, food and feed safety
MeSH terms
Animals, Biotechnology, European Union, Humans, Risk Assessment, Animals, Genetically Modified, Plants, Genetically Modified, Food, Genetically Modified

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