EFSA GMO Watch Newsletter May 2011 special edition
TestBiotech

EFSA has released new "Guidance for risk assessment of food and feed from GM plants". Analysis of the document shows that no substantial improvements have been made. Risk assessment is still based on comparative risk assessment (originally described as the concept of substantial equivalence). The comparative approach does not sufficiently address the specific technical qualities and risks of genetically engineered plants. This approach is heavily influenced by the interests of industry: Testbiotech showed that especially the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) and the chair of EFSA's GMO Panel, Harry Kuiper, were successful in introducing this approach into the EFSA Guidance after 2003 (http://www.testbiotech.de/sites/default/files/EFSA_Playing_Field_of_ILSI.pdf).
 
Testbiotech urges the EFSA to adopt so-called comprehensive risk assessment (see page 6, second para. of the Guidance as published) to be mandatory in all cases. This approach should include targeted investigations on genetic stability and genome (x) environment interactions (Testbiotech proposes a 'stress test' including metabolic profiling), feeding studies over several generations and full risk assessment for stacked events. Further clear criteria for rejection of market applications should be introduced. For further information see Testbiotech overview for comprehensive risk assessment (http://www.testbiotech.de/node/503).