Food/Feed and Environmental Risk Assessment of Insect-resistant Genetically Modified Maize MIR604 for Food and Feed Uses, Import and Processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (EFSA/GMO/UK/2005/11)
Authors: Andreassen Åshild , Brandtzæg Per , Finne Merethe Aasmo , Holck Askild Lorentz , Jevnaker Anne-Marthe Ganes , Junttila Olavi , Konestabo Heidi Sjursen , Meadow Richard , Mikalsen Arne , Nielsen Kåre M. , Sanden Monica , Sipinen Ville Erling , Vikse Rose , Opsahl-Sorteberg Hilde-Gunn 
Published: April 2020

In preparation for a legal implementation of EU-regulation 1829/2003, the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (VKM) has been requested by the Norwegian Environment Agency (former Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management) and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) to conduct final food/feed and environmental risk assessments for all genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products containing or consisting of GMOs that are authorized in the European Union under Directive 2001/18/EC or Regulation 1829/2003/EC. The request covers scope(s) relevant to the Gene Technology Act. The request does not cover GMOs that VKM already has conducted its final risk assessments on. However, the Agency and NFSA requests VKM to consider whether updates or other changes to earlier submitted assessments are necessary.
The insect-resistant genetically modified maize MIR604 from Syngenta Seeds S.A.S. (Unique Identifier SYN-IR604-5) is approved under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 for food and feed uses, import and processing since 30 November 2009 (Commission Decision 2009/866/EC).
Genetically modified maize MIR604 has previously been risk assessed by the VKM Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), commissioned by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Environmental Agency related to the EFSAs public hearing of the applications EFSA/GMO/UK/2005/11 and EFSA/GMO/UK/2010/83 in 2005 (VKM 2005) and 2011 (VKM, unpublished. In addition MIR604 has been evaluated by the VKM GMO Panel as a component of several stacked GM maize events (VKM 2008, VKM 2009a,b,c VKM 2012, VKM 2013a,b,c). The food/feed and environmental risk assessment of maize MIR604 is based on information provided by the applicant in the applications EFSA/GMO/UK/2005/11 and EFSA/GMO/UK/2010/83, and scientific comments from EFSA and other member states made available on the EFSA website GMO Extranet. The risk assessment also considered other peer-reviewed scientific literature as relevant.
The VKM GMO Panel has evaluated MIR604 with reference to its intended uses in the European Economic Area (EEA), and according to the principles described in the Norwegian Food Act, the Norwegian Gene Technology Act and regulations relating to impact assessment pursuant to the Gene Technology Act, Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms, and Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed. The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety has also decided to take account of the appropriate principles described in the EFSA guidelines for the risk assessment of GM plants and derived food and feed (EFSA 2011a), the environmental risk assessment of GM plants (EFSA 2010), selection of comparators for the risk assessment of GM plants (EFSA 2011b) and for the post-market environmental monitoring of GM plants (EFSA 2011c).
The scientific risk assessment of maize MIR604 include molecular characterisation of the inserted DNA and expression of novel proteins, comparative assessment of agronomic and phenotypic characteristics, nutritional assessments, toxicology and allergenicity, unintended effects on plant fitness, potential for gene transfer, interactions between the GM plant and target and non-target organisms, effects on biogeochemical processes.
It is emphasized that the VKM mandate does not include assessments of contribution to sustainable development, societal utility and ethical considerations, according to the Norwegian Gene Technology Act and Regulations relating to impact assessment pursuant to the Gene Technology Act. These considerations are therefore not part of the risk assessment provided by the VKM Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms.
Genetically modified maize MIR604 was developed to provide protection against certain coleopteran target pests belonging to the genus Diabrotica such as the larvae of western corn rootworm (WCRW; D. virgifera virgifera), the northern corn rootworm (NCRW; D.longicornis barberi) by the introduction of a modified cry3A gene (mcry3A) derived from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis. Maize MIR604 also contains the pmi (manA) gene from Escherichia coli which encodes the phosphomannose isomerise (PMI) protein as a selectable marker. PMI allows transformed maize cells to utilize mannose as a sole carbon source, while maize cells lacking the pmi gene fail to grow with mannose as single carbon source.
Molecular Characterization: The molecular characterisation data indicate that only one copy of the transgenic insert with the mcry3A and pmi genes is integrated in the genome of maize MIR604, and that it is stably inherited over generations. Appropriate analyses of the integration site, inserted DNA sequence, flanking regions, and bioinformatics have been performed. The VKM GMO Panel considers the molecular characterisation of maize MIR604 as adequate.
Comparative Assessment: The applicant has performed comparative analyses of data from field trials located at representative sites and environments in North America during the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons. With the exception of small intermittent variations and the insect resistance conferred by mCry3A, the results showed no biologically significant differences between maize MIR604 and control maize. Based on the assessment of available data, the VKM GMO Panel concludes that maize MIR604 is compositionally, agronomically and phenotypically equivalent to its conventional counterpart, except for the newly expressed proteins.
Food and Feed Risk Assessment: Whole food feeding studies on rats, rainbow trout and broilers have not indicated any adverse health effects of maize MIR604. These studies also indicate that maize MIR604 is nutritionally equivalent to conventional maize. The mCry3A and PMI proteins do not show sequence resemblance to other known toxins or IgE allergens, nor have they been reported to cause IgE mediated allergic reactions. Some studies have however indicated a potential role of Cry-proteins as adjuvants in allergic reactions.
Based on current knowledge, the VKM GMO Panel concludes that maize MIR604 is nutritionally equivalent to conventional maize varieties. It is unlikely that the mCry3A and PMI proteins will introduce a toxic or allergenic potential in food or feed based on maize MIR604 compared to conventional maize.
Environmental Risk Assessment: The scope of the application EFSA/GMO/UK/2005/11 includes import and processing of maize MIR604 for food and feed uses. Considering the intended uses of maize MIR604, excluding cultivation, the environmental risk assessment is concerned with accidental release into the environment of viable grains during transportation and processing, and indirect exposure, mainly through manure and faeces from animals fed grains from maize MIR604.
Maize MIR604 has no altered survival, multiplication or dissemination characteristics, and there are no indications of an increased likelihood of spread and establishment of feral maize plants in the case of accidental release into the environment of seeds from maize MIR604. Maize is the only representative of the genus Zea in Europe and there are no cross-compatible wild or weedy relatives outside cultivation. The VKM GMO Panel considers the risk of gene flow from occasional feral GM maize plants to conventional maize varieties to be negligible in Norway. Considering the intended use as food and feed, interactions with the biotic and abiotic environment are not considered by the GMO Panel to be an issue.
Overall Conclusion: Based on current knowledge, the VKM GMO Panel concludes that maize MIR604 is nutritionally equivalent to conventional maize varieties. It is unlikely that the mCry3A and PMI proteins will introduce a toxic or allergenic potential in food or feed derived from maize MIR604 compared to conventional maize.
The VKM GMO Panel likewise concludes that maize MIR604, based on current knowledge, is comparable to conventional maize varieties concerning environmental risk in Norway with the intended usage.