GMO的Starlink玉米, 體外實驗有過敏可能,批準做飼料。卻不幸因為花粉傳播等人力難以控製的因
素混入人食物鏈, 引起28例過敏,
包括過敏性休克,然後就是大規模玉米recall。加上GMO作物引起的農藥過多, 超級雜草等等問題都說明
說明人定勝天很難。轉基因作物可以造成一大堆地球和人類從來沒有相處過的新東西。私家公司要盈利的欲望一定要有相應的強有力的regulatory mechanism。孟山都等大公司不轉主糧,也說明他們的小心。不像中國的某些人, 急著要轉主糧。
Starlink corn: a risk analysis.
Abstract
Modern biotechnology has dramatically increased our ability to alter the agronomic traits of plants. Among the novel traits that biotechnology has made available, an important group includes Bacillus thuringiensis-derived insect resistance. This technology has been applied to potatoes, cotton, and corn. Benefits of Bt crops, and biotechnology generally, can be realized only if risks are assessed and managed properly. The case of Starlink corn, a plant modified with a gene that encodes the Bt protein Cry9c, was a severe test of U.S. regulatory agencies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had restricted its use to animal feed due to concern about the potential for allergenicity. However, Starlink corn was later found throughout the human food supply, resulting in food recalls by the Food and Drug Administration and significant disruption of the food supply. Here we examine the regulatory history of Starlink, the assessment framework employed by the U.S. government, assumptions and information gaps, and the key elements of government efforts to manage the product. We explore the impacts on regulations, science, and society and conclude that only significant advances in our understanding of food allergies and improvements in monitoring and enforcement will avoid similar events in the future. Specifically, we need to develop a stronger fundamental basis for predicting allergic sensitization and reactions if novel proteins are to be introduced in this fashion. Mechanisms are needed to assure that worker and community aeroallergen risks are considered. Requirements are needed for the development of valid assays so that enforcement and post market surveillance activities can be conducted.