Chicco and Kerny on their way to Europe.
Date: 2011-09-29
Institutions: Institute for Health and Consumer Protection
Subjects: European Food Safety Authority, biological standard, environmental standard, food standard, genetic engineering, transgenic plant

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What are GMOs?  Why do we produce them? Why do they need to be regulated?
We find the answers while following two little GMO maize-cobs on their journey
to the authorization to enter the European Union in the fairy tale:
"Chicco and Kerny on their Way to Europe".
Following this we will see a collection of drawings made by children who saw
Chicco and Kerny’s play performed at the JRC Ispra Open Day 2009. 
Finally, we will go into more depth about the subject of GMOs and EU legislation.

European Commission
Joint Research Centre
Institute for Health and Consumer Protection

Legal Notice
Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use 
which might be made of this publication.

A great deal of additional information on the European Union is available on the Internet.
It can be accessed through the uropean server http://europa.eu

JRC64728
ISBN 978-92-79-20040-3
doi:10.2788/11777

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union

© European Union, 2010

Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

Printed in Italy.

European Commission
Joint Research Centre
Institute for Health and Consumer Protection

CHICCO AND KERNY ON THEIR WAY TO EUROPE

Authors/Editors: Laura Cengia, Chrystele Charles Delobel, Maddalena Querci, Fabrizia Scabini,
Rossella Speroni, Guy Van den Eede

Translated by: Carla Iannini and Steven Price

JRC64728
ISBN 978-92-79-20040-3
doi:10.2788/11777

Illustrations, graphic project, editing and cover: The Youcan Company S.r.l. - Varese

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Index

What are GMOs?  Why do we produce them?   Why do they need to be regulated?

We find the answers while following two little GMO maize-cobs on their journey 
to the authorization to enter the European Union in the fairy tale: "Chicco and 
Kerny on their Way to Europe".
Following this we will see a collection of drawings made by children who saw Chicco 
and Kerny‛s play performed at the JRC Ispra Open Day 2009. 
Finally, we will go into more depth about the subject of GMOs and EU legislation.

• Foreword

• PART I 

The Fairy Tale 

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• PART II  Through our children's eyes: collection of drawings  

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inspired by the play (JRC Open Day - May 2009)

• PART III   GMOs in-depth: GMOs and the EU Legislation 

• Glossary

• EU Competent Authorities on GMOs: their actual location and  

• Acknowledgment

sites

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The mission of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical 
support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service 
of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for 
the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, 
while being independent of special interests, whether private or national.

Contacts
Molecular Biology and Genomics Unit
Tel  +39 0332 785959
Fax +39 0332 785840
JRC-BGMO@ec.europa.eu
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/jrc/index.cfm

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Foreword

"Chicco and Kerny on their Way to Europe"  is a  fairy tale based on an original play 
("Chicco & Kerny alle Porte dell'Europa") created by the "Molecular Biology and Genomi-
cs" team of the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, of the European Com-
mission Joint Research Centre Ispra (Italy). 
The play was conceived both as an educational and entertaining show and was perfor-
med at the last JRC Ispra Open Day (May 2009). The Open Day is a biennial event pre-
senting the JRC's wide range of activities and attracting thousands of visitors of all 
ages from the whole country; in 2009 it also marked the 50th Anniversary of the JRC 
Ispra research site.

This book is intended to portray part of the fascinating world of the scientific rese-
arch supporting European Legislation, apparently so distant from us, and in fact so close 
to our daily life.

According to the European Union legislation on GMOs, only authorized GM lines (whose 
safety for the EU citizens - as well as animals and the environment - has been thorou-
ghly assessed) can be allowed on the EU market. 
The  role  of  the  Joint  Research  Centre  (JRC)  Ispra  (European  Commission  DG)  is  to 
ensure that GMO products can be traced – through labelling – at all levels of the consu-
mer chain, ensuring the EU consumers' freedom of choice between conventional pro-
ducts, and products containing authorized GMOs.

5

During the JRC Ispra Open Day 2009, the MBG Unit organised activities, where young 
Visitors  were  able  to  be  "scientists  for  one  day",  playing  with  a  DNA  extraction 
"recipe" performed using simple kitchen items, and to participate actively in a theatre 
performance  -  explaining  the  GMO  authorization  process  in  the  EU  -  by  interacting 
with the characters on stage. At the end of each performance of our play, the "young 
scientists"  in  the  audience  were  invited  to  represent  Chicco  and  Kerny's  story  with 
drawings. Some of the most interesting drawings have been collected in this book.

This book was conceived both as an entertaining and educational tool on the EU Legisla-
tion on GMOs. It is divided in 3 parts: the first part is an introduction of the subject 
in  simple  terms  through  a  fairy  tale  ("Chicco  &  Kerny  on  their  Way  to  Europe");  a 
collection of children drawings of the play‛s protagonists (JRC Open Day 2009) follows 
in the second part; finally, in the third part, we go more in-depth in the subject from 
the  scientific  and  institutional  point  of  view,  and  include  photographs  of  the  GMO 
authorization process EU competent authorities, and their actual sites.

We hope everybody will enjoy reading this book, and will learn from it in the process!

Head of the Molecular Biology and Genomics Unit 
Institute for Health and Consumer Protection
European Commission – Joint Research Centre

PART I

The Fairy Tale

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Once upon a time, in the Cob's Land, there was a golden cob field, tilled by the Farmer. 
All the seedlings were growing peacefully, giving healthy and cheerful cobs.
Every year though, when the spring arrived, troops of larvae and insects would swarm in 
the field. These little animals were really hungry, and would nibble the Cobs, spoiling the 
crop.
The good Farmer, in order to protect the cobs, would spray chemicals on the corn field 
to kill the insects but this wouldn't always help.

Until one fine day, the good farmer decided to go and buy some new seeds, which were 
born in Labo the Realm of Biotechnology. These seeds would breed young plants able to 
defend  themselves  against  those  insects.    And  the  following  year…  the  harvest  was 
fruitful…

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Ehi  Kerny  –  cries  Chicco,  out  of  curiosity  –  take  a  look  over  there.  The  cobs  in  the 
neighbour‛s field are all getting on that train!  Where are they going to?

Watch carefully, Chicco! – answers Kerny – Can you see that blue flag, with the circle 
of golden stars? They are going to Europe!!!

Are they really?!? – replies Chicco in excitement – Oh, I do so want to go to Europe too!  
Why weren't we harvested yet?  Why are we still here, rooted to the spot, and cannot 
travel with them towards Europe?

Chicco and Kerny are two young cobs, living happily in their cob field.  They enjoy the 
warm May sun, chatting and telling stories.  One day, they spot in the distance a cob-
friend of theirs getting on the train to Europe.  She looks smart, and very happy.

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How now Chicco – says Kerny – don't you remember?  We have a special story. 
Our grandparents belonged to the WILD family… the family of living organisms presenting all 
the original traits, which can be found in nature.  They used to live in fields, which had to be 
treated with chemical products, in order to help the crops grow strong and healthy. We are 
different from them: we were born in LABO, the Realm of Biotechnology!  We do not belong 
to the old WILD family… we belong to the GMO family! You know what I mean by GMO Chicco, 
don't you?! It all starts from the DNA

Yes, very true – remarks Chicco – a GMO is a Genetically Modified Organism. And it all 
starts from the DNA, which is a vitally important molecule for the living organisms. 
The DNA is the molecule which contains all the information about us. It‛s rather like a 
book, divided into chapters, each single chapter containing different information about 
our  traits.    One  chapter,  for  example,  can  describe  my  height,  the  following  one  my 
weight, or the colour of my grains…  Now, the GMO Family contains an additional chap-
ter in their DNA.  In our case, it gives us resistance to some insects. We are able to 
defend ourselves against them… and these insects do not like us at all…

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Well – resumes Chicco – now it is clear what DNA is, and why we are GMOs, but I still 
can't work out, why GMOs cannot go to Europe!

Did you call me? – she asks gently

Of course we can – says Kerny – we simply need to take a different way.  I know there's 
a simple path to follow for us to get to Europe, but honestly… I do not know it.
Whom could we ask, then? – wonders Chicco –  But of course: let's ask Fairy Maize-Cob.  
Let's call her together.  
The two little maize-cobs call out their good Fairy's name… and in a flash of lightening… 
she appears. 

Yes, good Fairy! – answers Chicco confidently – Kerny and I want to go to Europe. We 
know that, belonging to the GMO Family, in order to be welcome in the European Coun-
tries, we need to take a very special journey… but we do not know which would be the 
right way to take!  Can you point it out for us?

Of course, I can – she answers – If you really want to set off for Europe…
The good Fairy casts a spell, waves her magic wand and… in sparkling stardus two maps 
appear. Fairy Maize-cob hands the two maps to Chicco and Kerny. Here's a good map – 
she says. Now pay attention to the route I will show you, because this is the right path 
that will take you to Europe.

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Showing the two little GMO maize-cobs their way to Europe, the good Fairy explains 
the steps of the GMO authorization process in the European Union. Chicco pays atten-
tion to Fairy Maize-cob's explanation, while naughty Kerny just daydreams...

So – starts the good Fairy – you need to set off for your journey with your DNA-book 
and with your Folder, containing the papers giving all the information about you, which 
you will find in Labo, the lab where you were born. Follow this direction to find your way 
there. With your papers, travel to the Member State, where you will hand them over. 

From the Member State you will need to go down to EFSA, the European Food Safety 
Authority, then following the lake's shore you will get to Ispra, to the Joint Research 
Centre. There you will find the EURL, the European Union Reference Laboratory for 
GMOs, where they will be able to check whether you really are Chicco & Kerny GMO, 
and send you back to EFSA. This is the quickest way to take. 
Finally, with your complete folder, take the high road and follow it until you find a huge 
glass palace and see the blue flag with a circle of golden stars… that is the European 
Commission Headquarters.  There you will meet Stella, who will give you authorisation 
to enter in Europe.  You can now start your journey.  Good luck!  

... In the blink of an eye, Fairy Maize-cob disappears.

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Chicco and Kerny carefully look at the map

No way! – mumbles Kerny – Why should I care about the authorization?!  The path on 
this map may be simple, but why should I be wasting my time and energy?!?  If I take a 
shortcut, I'll get straight to Europe… and I‛ll make the first GMO popcorn in Europe!!!  
Bye Chicco, see you there – cries naughty Kerny…

Well – says Chicco, who has carefully studied his map – I have a safe and easy path to 
follow. 
Now, the first part of my journey will be to LABO, the centre of Biotechnology, the 
very  place  where  I  was  born.    There  I  will  meet  the  Scientist  who  created  me,  and 
collect all the papers I need to get my Passport to Europe.  

EUROPA 

LABO 

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1919191919191919191919

Chicco and Kerny set off towards Europe.  Naughty Kerny, takes her short cut: she's 
pretty  sure  that  she  will  be  able  to  go  to  Europe  without  any  authorization.    Chicco 
decides to follow the path shown on Fairy Maize-cob's map, in order to collect all his 
papers, and obtain the authorization to go to all the European countries. Following his 
map he gets to LABO, the Lab where he was born… busy scientists are working at their 
benches…

Good morning! – he cries out – My name is Chicco GMO and I am on my way to Europe. I came 
here to LABO in order to collect all my papers, which I will need to take to the European 
Union Member State.
After a careful check, all Chicco's papers are collected in a Folder, which he can take with 
him on the next stage of his journey.  

At the European Union Member State, Chicco hands over his papers…
I will look after your application  – says the Member State taking Chicco's Folder –  I will 
immediately inform EFSA, and pass along all your Documents.  Chicco can now go on his way 
to EFSA

In the meantime, at EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, behind a desk covered 
with books and papers, sits Mr Authority working hard.  His phone rings…
Hallo.  Good morning Mr EFSA Authority – says a voice at the other end – it's the Euro-
pean Union Member state speaking.  Have you received Chicco GMO's papers?  I sent 
them to you personally.
Yes,  I  have  received  them.    We  will  check  all  Chicco's  papers  carefully,  in  order  to 
verify that they are in perfect order and that his grains would be safe for health and 
for the environment – answers Mr EFSA Authority. Then I will let you have my opinion.

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PARMA 

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At the EURL, the European Union Reference Laboratory for GMOs, Mr Tips is working 
at the bench with his pipettes, tubes and measuring cylinders, when his phone rings…

Hello! – says Mr EFSA's voice – am I speaking to the E.U. Reference Laboratory for 
GMOs. Are you Mr Tips, the scientist who can verify that the GMO grains are proper 
GMO grains, and can be traced in food and feed?       

Yes – answers Tips.  Please send Chicco here to the EURL with all his papers and we will 
carry out the analysis of his DNA.

Chicco  collects  his  papers  from  Mr  EFSA  Authority  and,  marching  along  the  lake's 
shore, he gets to the EURL.  There he finds Mr Tips pipetting in the Lab.

Good Morning!  - he says – my name is Chicco GMO.    Mr EFSA Authority sent me here.

Welcome to the EURL – answers Mr Tips.  We have received all your papers, and we now 
have to analyse your DNA.  For this purpose I need one of your golden grains…
Tips grasps a grain from the little maize-cob with his fingertips and quickly pulls it off.
Ouch! – cries out Chicco. 

Then he puts Chicco's grain in a glass tube and explains - With this grain we will carry 
out the extraction and analysis of your DNA in order to be sure of your identity. This 
way we will be able to trace your presence in food and feed products in the future.

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First of all we need to grind up the grain – continues Tips – in order to get some flour.  
Then, from this flour, we will extract your DNA, by adding a bit of this… – Tips is bus-
tling about with pipettes and liquids – now some more of this liquid mixture… a good 
shake and here we go.
Tips extracts the DNA, purifies and amplifies it, and finally he verifies that the detec-
tion method works properly.

I really hope that everything will be ok – thinks Chicco – so I can go to Europe.  It seems 
such a good place to be!

Ok, Chicco – says Tips, showing him the results of the DNA analysis he has just carried 
out.  I can confirm that you are Chicco GMO, and that we have a proper method for 
tracing your DNA in the future.  You can have the EURL signature of approval on your 
papers.  Now you can go back to Mr EFSA Authority, who must be waiting for you.

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Chicco goes back to EFSA, where he finds Mr Authority still working on his papers…

Good Morning Mr EFSA – says Chicco – I ‘ve just come back from the EURL, where Mr 
Tips confirmed that my DNA is a Chicco GMO DNA and that the method used to trace 
me in food products works properly!  Here are all my papers; if you sign them, I can go 
all over Europe!

Let us see… first of all we need to check that all papers are in order – mutters Mr EFSA 
examining papers and certificates.  Yes, everything is in perfect order, so I can give you 
permission. You can go to the European Commission, to see Stella.

This is finally the last step of my journey – cries out Chicco satisfied – I am going to 
the European Commission!

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Chicco with all his papers arrives in Brussels at the European Commission Headquarters

Good Morning!  You must be Chicco GMO, I was waiting for you – says Stella in a warm 
voice.  I  know  that  you  are  travelling  to  Europe,  that  you  have  got  permission  from 
EFSA, and that the EURL has confirmed that we have a validated method for analysing 
your DNA, to trace you in food and feed products.  Since you were able to follow the 
right  path,  I  have  stamped  and  signed  your  Certificate  of  Authorization  to  come  to 
Europe.

Stella gives Chicco the Certificate of Authorization that he needs to travel in all the 
European Union Member States.  Chicco finally has his passport to Europe and proudly 
walks towards the border.

EUROPA 

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At the border Chicco spots a familiar figure walking nervously and grumbling…

Hey Kerny!  What's up with you?  Don't be sad, we're going to Europe – cries out Chicco 
triumphantly

What, sad?!? – answers Kerny – I'm not sad at all, I'm angry!

Why should you be angry? – asks Chicco puzzled – Where is your Authorization Certifi-
cate for the EU?

I have neither certificates nor authorization – replies Kerny – I did not follow the path 
on Fairy Maize-cob's map: I took a shortcut and got here straight away and… I've been 
trying to enter for months, but they keep stopping me at the border. I'm quite a good-
looking little maize-cob, and introduced myself properly, but that‛s not enough. 
I wanted so much to make the first GMO popcorn in Europe, but they really do not want 
to let me pass the border…

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Kerny – says Chicco – Fairy Maize-Cob told us that in order to be welcome in Europe, 
the GMO family members need to have the European Commission Authorization Certifi-
cate!  Without a proper check of our DNA we cannot enter Europe.  
I have got my Passport! – says Chicco proudly, showing his certificate.

Oh, take me with you! – says naughty Kerny

That's not possible! – answers Chicco – this certificate is personal and bears my name. 
It is proof that I have passed all the EU controls and that I will be welcome in Europe! 
If you really want to join me, you'd better start your journey again… the right way.

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Chicco triumphantly passes the border to Europe.  

Kerny is left to think about the lesson she has learned.  She now understands that easy 
shortcuts do not always take us straight to our goal.  
She searches her pockets for Fairy Maize-cob's map, and decides to take the correct 
path that will allow her to enter the EU… where she will finally join Chicco.

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PART 2

Through our Children's Eyes

A collection of drawings inspired by the fairytale 
(JRC Open Day - May 2009)

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PART 3

GMOs in-depth
“GMOs and the EU Legislation”

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In this section of the book, we will go into more depth about the subject from a scienti-
fic perspective, in order to find out what GMOs are, why they are produced, how they 
reached Europe, and how they need to be regulated...

1| What are GMOs?

A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material 

(DNA) has been modified in ways that do not occur in nature.

By ‘organism‛ we mean any living plant, animal, fungus, or bacterium. Bacteria, 
plants and animals can be genetically modified for different purposes, using 
complex "genetic  engineering" techniques (biotechnology), through which 
new genes can be inserted in an organism's DNA. 

In this way, genes with desirable traits of an organism can 
be transferred into another organism – even of a diffe-
rent species – in a short time. "Genetically modified" orga-

nisms are also called "transgenic".

In order to clearly understand what genetically modified organisms 
are and how they can be produced, we need to take a step backwards and 

revise a few definitions and principles learned at school.

In its most basic form, Biotechnology has been in use for millennia. The making of 
bread – a major food since pre-historic times – is an example of biotechnology. 
Yeast is a microorganism and its biological activity makes the dough rise.  
Microbial fermentation has always been used in making wine and other alcoholic 
drinks. 

Our  ancestors  had  learned  how  to  bake  and  brew,  but  they  did  not  know  much 
about the micro-organisms or understand how they were able to transform natural 
ingredients into bread, wine and beer (leavening, fermentation, etc.).

Before recorded history, humans grew selected plants for food and medicines. They 
bred animals for food, for work, and as pets. Then, with agriculture and farming they 
were able to increase crop production by selecting the plants with the most desirable 
traits. 

In more recent times, we had to learn to distinguish "traditional biotechnology" (using 
basic techniques – selection and cross-breeding, leavening, fermenta-
tion, etc - to produce desired changes in plants, animals, and 
foods) from "modern biotechnology" (using scientific tech-
niques, including genetic engineering, to artificially impro-
ve or modify plants, animals, and microorganisms).

2 |What is BIOTECHNOLOGY? 

The term Biotechnology is a compound noun (the prefix "bio" comes from old Greek bios  
"life") that refers to scientific techniques that use living organisms – or parts of them 
in the development or manufacture of a product.

The  development  of  modern  biotechnology  has  been 
quite fast… in 100-200 years time the level of know-
ledge in this field increased more than in the previous 
7000 years.

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In order to understand the basis of modern biotechnology, we need to take a closer look 
into the structure of living organisms.  Let's go deeper into what cells, DNA and genes 
are.. 

3| What are Cells, DNA and Genes?

An organism's individual traits depend on its genetic code (also called genome): a biological 
message made of information vital for its functioning. Each important piece of information 
is called gene. (The human genome may contain more than 100.000 genes).

information"  are  contained 

language  on  DNA 
These  "pieces  of 
(DeoxyriboNucleic Acid). The DNA is a very long molecule, whose structure resembles a 
twisted ladder; it is contained in long thin structures called chromosomes, situated in the 
nucleus of each cell. DNA is the chemical substance of genes.

in  a  coded 

The DNA coded language is read and "translated" in the cells, in order to form the pro-
teins.  Proteins  are  vital  constituents  of  all  living  cells,  they  play  a  wide  variety  of        

structural and functional roles, and have been described as "the very stuff of 

life"..

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4 | The Cell

Inside of us, around us, over and below us, life is everywhere. Life is composed of cells, 
particles that are so small they can't be seen, but held together, they can become astoni-
shingly  complex  organisms.  All  living  organisms  are  sophisticated  communities,  in  which 
groups of cells carry out specialized functions and communicate with each other.

The cell is the basic unit of all living things. There are two distinct types of cells: pro-
karyotic cells and eukaryotic cells. 

The prokaryotic cells are primitive cells. They contain no nucleus and have a simple 
internal structure. Some good examples are bacteria and blue algae. 

The  eukaryotic  cells  consist  of  a  nucleus  and  a  thick  liquid  called  cytoplasm, 
holding numerous organelles. They are the cells of animals, plants and fungi. 
Well known examples are animal cells – which have an irregular form – and plant 

cells – which have an extremely rigid cell wall.

nucleus

tissue

cell

chromosome

aminoacid

N

H

O

C R

N

H

protein

genes

DNA

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                        Here‛s the DNA structure: 

chromosome

DNA 

C 

C 

G 

T 

A 

T 

C 

A 

A 

G 

A 

T 

A 

T 

T 

A 

T 

A  G 

C 

5 | The Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture

Genetic engineering in the field of agriculture is aimed at the transfer-
ring of genes between various plants, in order to create slightly diffe-
rent plants with new desirable traits (resistance to diseases, insects, 
insecticides, herbicides or harsh environmental conditions).

The most important genetically modified plants are:
 •maize 
  •soy 
  •cotton
  •rice
  •potato
•courgette
•tomato

Researchers discovered that a soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis 
(Bt), naturally produces a protein (Bt toxin) that is toxic to some herbivo-
rous insects – such as Lepidoptera (butterflies) and beetles – but is com-
pletely safe for humans. 
If plants can produce these Bt toxins on their own, they can defend them-
selves against the insects.  Using genetic engineering, the bacterial genes 
needed to produce Bt toxins have been introduced into plants, so that far-
mers no longer have to use chemical insecticides to kill the insects that eat 
the plants. The use of insect resistant crops cannot harm other organisms.

"Bt maize" is the most popular GMO crop. It is much more productive than its 
"conventional" brother, being resistant to herbicides, and able to produce the bac-
terial Bt  toxin, which protects it against insects.

DNA with the gene for
toxin

DNA

Maize crop

The larvae of some insects 
feed on the maize-cob's leaves

The Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium 
produces a toxin able to kill the larvae of the insects

6| Transgenic “Insecticide” Plants

Some insects can cause damage to the plants, and destroy parts of the crop.  

Through genetic engineering the Bacillus thuring-
iensis gene can be inserted in the maize cells

The “transgenic” Bt maize crop naturally produces 
the Bt toxin, the larvae cannot feed on it and die.

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More than 100 different variations of Bt toxin have been identified in the varieties of 
Bacillus thuringiensis having different target insect specificity. 
The  genes  codifying  these  toxins  have  been  used  in  order  to  transform  plants  like 
cotton, tomato and potato, and make them resistant to insects like the caterpillars of 
the lepidoptera (mites and butterflies) or the doriphores (insects of the order Coleop-
tera) which devastate potato plants.

Plant biologists are also developing ways of producing transgenic plants tolerant 
to stressful conditions and environmental challenges: heavy metals, ultraviolet 
rays, and also drought, salinity or extreme temperatures.
For example: the introduction of a gene that codes for the fish protein rich in 
alanine called "antifreeze", makes plants like strawberries and tobacco less sen-
sitive to cold temperatures, therefore able to give fruits in winter or to be grown 
in cold countries.

7 | EU Legislation on GMOs

According  to  the European  Union  legislation,  a GM plant  intended  for 
cultivation and for use as food and feed in the 
EU, needs authorization.  

A GMO can only be allowed on the EU market 
after  having  passed  an  approval  system  in 
which its safety for humans, animals and the 
environment 
is  thoroughly  assessed.  The 
authorisation process is carried out by the EU 
competent authorities, and the resulting deci-
sion applies to all EU Member States. 

56

A Company that has developed a GM plant, and wants to place it 
on the EU market has to submit an application for authoriza-
tion to the competent National Authority of an EU Member 
State.  The  application  needs  to  be  supported  by  accom-
panying  documents,  containing  the  results  of  studies 
showing that the new GMO poses no threats to human or 
animal health, and is environmentally safe.

The  Member  State  must  immediately  pass  along  all  the 
application documents to the European Food Safety Authori-
ty  (EFSA),  where  a  Committee  of  Independent  Scientific 
Experts checks and evaluates the data.  EFSA then submits its 
report to the European Commission and to the Member State. 

The  European  Union  Reference  Laboratory  for  Genetically  Modified 
Food and Feed (EURL-GMFF) verifies and confirms the validity of detection methods 
for its future traceability.

The European Commission prepares an official recommendation (for granting or refu-
sing the EU authorization), submitted for approval to the "Standing Committee on the 
Food Chain and Animal Health" composed of representatives of the Member States, 
who vote for accepting or rejecting the recommendation.  If the committee accepts it, 
the recommendation takes effect, the Company's application receives approval, and the 
product can be marketed in all the EU Member States.

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Glossary

Aminoacids =  Chemical organical compounds whose union in chains constitutes proteins.

Gene = a functional part of a DNA molecule. It contains the instructions for making pro-

Bacterium = microorganism made of a single cell and lacking a true nucleus.

teins or RNA, and act as "unit of inheritance" by transferring these same instructions 

Biotecnology = (prefix “bios” from the old Greek meaning life) the use of biological pro-

from parent to offspring. Humans have tens of thousands of different genes.

cesses, in the development or manufacture of a product.

Genome = the complete collection of hereditary information for a living organism. It is 

Cell = The smallest structural unit of a living organism, that is capable of independent 

made up of molecules of DNA tightly wound into chromosomes, which are found in the 

functioning. It consists of one or more nuclei, cytoplasm, and various organelles, all sur-

nucleus of eukaryotic organisms and in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic organisms.

rounded by a semipermeable cell membrane.

Protein  =  complex  organic  macromolecules  composed  of  one  or  more  chains  of  amino 

Chromosome = A threadlike linear strand of DNA and proteins contained in the nucleus 

acids. Proteins are fundamental components of all living cells, they are integral to the 

of eukaryotic cells, that carries the genes and functions in the transmission of heredi-

formation  of  DNA  and  include  many  substances  (enzymes,  hormones  and  antibodies) 

tary information.

that are necessary for the proper functioning of an organism.

DNA (DeoxiriboNucleic Acid) = A nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in 

Wild = term referred to plants, animals, and other organisms growing, or living in a natu-

the cell. 

ral state; as produced by nature and not domesticated, cultivated, or tamed.

GMO=  Genetically Modified Organism. It is an organism whose genome has been alte-
red  by  the  techniques  of  genetic  engineering,  so  that  its  DNA  contains  one  or  more 

genes not normally found there in nature. 

58

59

The EU Competent Authorities on GMOs
Their actual location and sites

60

The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (EC)
The EC was set up in the 1950s under the European Union‛s (EU) founding 
treaties, and is the executive organ of the EU. It proposes EU legislation 
and checks it is properly applied across the EU. Based in Bruxelles (Belgium) 
the EC is composed by 27 Commissioners (one per Member State) one of 
whom is elected President. The EC is independent of national governments 
and works in the interests of the EU as a whole (implementing its policies, 
running its programmes and spending its funds).                (Website: http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm)

The EUROPEAN COMMISSION JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE (JRC)
The mission of the JRC is to provide support for the conception, develop-
ment, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. It functions as a refe-
rence centre of science and technology for the EU, and serves the common 
interest  of  the  Member  States,  while  being  independent  of  private  or 
national interests. The JRC has 7 scientific institutes, located at 5 diffe-
rent  sites  (in  Belgium,  Germany,  Italy,  the  Netherlands  and  Spain).  The 
Italian site of Ispra on Lake Maggiore is the biggest. It hosts:
- the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES)
- the Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (IPSC)
- the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) 
(Website: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/jrc/index)
The EU REFERENCE LABORATORY FOR GM FOOD AND FEED
At the JRC Ispra, the Molecular Biology and Genomics (MBG) Unit of the 
IHCP  has  the  mandate  for  the  operation  of  the  EURL-GMFF,  validating  
methods for the detection of GMOs in Food and Feed, as a part of the EU 
authorisation procedure.        (Website: http://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/)

The EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY (EFSA)\
Set up in 2002 in Parma (Italy), EFSA was created as part of a programme 
to  improve  EU  food  safety,  ensure  a  high  level  of  consumer  protection, 
and build confidence in the EU food supply. As an Agency of the EU, EFSA 
provides  independent  scientific  advice  and  clear  communication  on 
existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain. 
(Website: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/aboutefsa.htm)

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acknowledgment

Our sincere thanks to all colleagues at the Molecular Biology and Genomics Unit, in the 
Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, at the European Commission Joint Rese-
arch Centre Ispra; particularly to those colleagues who contributed to the  staging of 
the play – as playwrights, directors, stage technicians and performers – during the JRC 
Ispra Open Day 2009.

We also extend our sincere thanks to all the people who have contributed to the redac-
tion and publication of this book. 

Here below their names listed in alphabetical order:
Carla, Chrystele, Dafni, Emanuele, Enrico, Fabrizia, Guy, Laura, Maddalena, MariaGra-
zia, Marco, Rossella, Sara, Silvia, Stefania.

63