Cited by 110Genetically Modified Organisms ResearchAgricultural safety and regulationsCarcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment

Toxicological evaluation of proteins introduced into food crops

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Hammond, Bruce, Kough, John, Herouet-Guicheney, Corinne, Jez, Joseph M., on behalf of the ILSI International Food Biotechnology Committee Task Force on the Use of Mammalian Toxicology Studies in the Safety Assessment of GM Foods·2013·Critical Reviews in Toxicology

Abstract

This manuscript focuses on the toxicological evaluation of proteins introduced into GM crops to impart desired traits. In many cases, introduced proteins can be shown to have a history of safe use. Where modifications have been made to proteins, experience has shown that it is highly unlikely that modification of amino acid sequences can make a non-toxic protein toxic. Moreover, if the modified protein still retains its biological function, and this function is found in related proteins that have a history of safe use (HOSU) in food, and the exposure level is similar to functionally related proteins, then the modified protein could also be considered to be "as-safe-as" those that have a HOSU. Within nature, there can be considerable evolutionary changes in the amino acid sequence of proteins within the same family, yet these proteins share the same biological function. In general, food crops such as maize, soy, rice, canola etc. are subjected to a variety of processing conditions to generate different food products. Processing conditions such as cooking, modification of pH conditions, and mechanical shearing can often denature proteins in these crops resulting in a loss of functional activity. These same processing conditions can also markedly lower human dietary exposure to (functionally active) proteins. Safety testing of an introduced protein could be indicated if its biological function was not adequately characterized and/or it was shown to be structurally/functionally related to proteins that are known to be toxic to mammals.

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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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  1. ILSI 2007 Sampling and Detection Methods for Products of Modern Agricultural Biotechnology in NAFTA Countries. ILSI International Food Biotechnology Committee (IFBiC) Workshop, October 11–12, 2007 Washington, DC IFBiC
  2. Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). (1995). OECD Guideline for the testing of chemicals. Repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study in rodents. Available from: http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/download/9740701e.pdf?expires=1363167171&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=078085077D9F4B4935D1D08FDB351206 [last accessed 13 March 2013]
  3. US FDA. (1992). Statement of Policy: Foods Derived From New Plant Varieties. Food for human consumption and animal drugs, feeds, and related products: Foods derived from new plant varieties; policy statement, 22984. Vol. 57, No. 104, Friday, May 29, 1992, p. 22984, Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. 92N-0139]. Available from: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/Biotechnology/ucm096095.htm [last accessed 13 Mar 2013]

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Authors
Hammond, B., Kough, J., Herouet-Guicheney, C., Jez, J. M., & on behalf of the ILSI International Food Biotechnology Committee Task Force on the Use of Mammalian Toxicology Studies in the Safety Assessment of GM Foods
Affiliations
  • Monsanto (United States) (US)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (US)
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Corresponding author
Hammond, Bruce
Venue
Critical Reviews in Toxicology
Published
2013-10-28
Volume
43
Issue
sup2
Pages
25-42
ISSN
  • 0045-6446 (ISSN-L)
  • 1040-8444
  • 1547-6898
OpenAlex
W2101621051
Cited by
110
References
124
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 5
FWCI
0.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Critical Reviews in Toxicology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • PepsiCo
  • Daegu Haany University
  • Universität Wien
  • Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Medizinische Universität Wien
  • Novus International
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment
Keywords
genetically modified crops, food safety, protein modification, protein denaturation, food processing, dietary exposure, toxicological evaluation
MeSH terms
Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Humans, Plant Proteins, Proteins, Risk Assessment, Toxicity Tests, Plants, Genetically Modified, Food, Genetically Modified, Food Safety

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