New feeds from genetically modified plants : substantial equivalence, nutritional equivalence and safety for animals and animal products

Abstract

Novel feedstuffs must be rigourously assessed for their safety for farm animals and further for the human food chain. Several publications in the scientific literature have recently reported data from experimental tests performed on laboratory animals, then on poultry, pig and ruminants species.

A review of the most recent results concerning GM maize, soybean, sugar- and fodder beet, peas, cotton, potatoes and lupine has been undertaken. Toxicological studies performed up to 28 days on rats failed to demonstrate any detrimental effects on performance, metabolism and histo-pathological traits. Complementary data concerning herbicide or insect tolerant GM plants fed to chickens and pigs during their all life have confirmed the nutritional equivalence predicted by chemical analysis. Dairy cows fed whole maize plants and long term-feeding trials conducted on fattening bulls reinforced these results. The composition and the quality of milk and meat was not affected by feeding GM plants.

Appropriate experimental procedures can be proposed to test the safety and the nutritional value of new GM feedstuffs for farm animals.