In several short-term studies, genetically modified (GM) plants registered in the EU were considered as safe. However, possible effects of a long-term feeding have not been studied. Hence, 36 lactating Simmental cows were fed on GM maize MON810 or on the isogenic counterpart for 24 months. Samples from several matrices (milk, blood, feces, urine) were taken monthly and analyzed using sensitive DNA and protein quantification techniques. A method for DNA isolation, previously published by the FOPH Berne (Schweizer Lebensmittelhandbuch), was optimized and validated. Down to 1000 copies of the recombinant cry1Ab gene per 300 ml milk could be detected after DNA extraction with a mean intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.15% and a mean inter-assay CV of 0.78 %. An ELISA was developed for the surveillance of the Cry1Ab protein. The assay allowed Cry1Ab protein determination in skim milk in an analytical range of 0.1 –25ng/mL with a CCb of 0.25ng/mL and a CCb of 0.38ng/mL.    «

In several short-term studies, genetically modified (GM) plants registered in the EU were considered as safe. However, possible effects of a long-term feeding have not been studied. Hence, 36 lactating Simmental cows were fed on GM maize MON810 or on the isogenic counterpart for 24 months. Samples from several matrices (milk, blood, feces, urine) were taken monthly and analyzed using sensitive DNA and protein quantification techniques. A method for DNA isolation, previously published by...    »