In this commentary, the following claims were made: Researchers have “discovered” viral gene sequences in GM crops that were previously unknown to regulators. Serious ramifications for crop biotechnology, regulatory agencies, consumers and farmers. Could present an unidentified safety risk to humans and could disturb normal functions of crop plants. common vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli and has been consumed naturally by humans without adverse effects. The 35S promoter in various forms has itself been used safely in GM crops for nearly 30 years. The European Food Safety Authority has reached similar conclusions and has Ingestion of microRNAs Zhang et al. (2012) Exogenous plant MIR168a specifically targets mammalian LDLRAP1: evidence of cross-kingdom regulation by microRNA. Cell Research 22: 107 – 126. This study reported that naturally occurring plant microRNAs (miRNAs) in food can be detected in the bloodstream of mammals, including humans, following ingestion. It appears also from experiments in mice, that these small molecules may have the potential to modulate mammalian gene expression. Following publication of the study, concerns were raised in some quarters that DNA ingested from GM crops could inhibit the expression of important human proteins e.g. Heinemann (2012). Evaluation of risks from creation of novel RNA molecules in genetically engineered wheat plants and recommendations for risk assessment. Heinemann (2013) Update on “Evaluation of The study dealt with miRNAs found in conventional (non-GM) rice, indicating that this is a natural phenomenon. No specific association was made in the study with GM crops. Some of the findings in this study, and the interpretation of results, have been disputed e.g. Petrick, J.S., Brower-Toland, B., Jackson, A.L. and Kier, L.D. (2013) Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 66: 167 – 176. Zhang, Y., Wiggins, B.E., Lawrence, C., Petrick, J., Ivashuta, S. and Heck, G. (2012b) . BMC Genomics 2012, open access(13):381. Witwer, K.W., McAlexander, M.A., Queen, S.E. and Adams, R.J. (2013) . Limited evidence for
risks from creation of novel RNA molecules in genetically engineered wheat plants and recommendations for risk assessment”. general uptake of dietary plant xenomiRs. RNA Biology 10(7):1-7. Wu, J., Liu, Q., Wang, X., Zheng, J., Wang, T., You, M., Sheng Sun, Z. and Shi, Q. (2013) mirTools 2.0 for non-coding RNA discovery, profiling, and functional annotation based on high-throughput sequencing. RNA Biology 10(7):1087-1092. Therefore, further confirmation and evaluation is required to determine whether uptake of miRNAs from the diet is a real and common phenomenon. In the meantime, the weight of evidence published to date does not support the view that small RNAs ingested as part of the human diet have an impact on human gene expression. Cry1Ab in blood Aris & Leblanc (2011). Maternal and fetal exposure to pesticides associated to genetically modified foods in Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada. Reproductive Toxicology 31: 528 - 533 · The Cry1Ab protein can be detected in the blood of pregnant and non-pregnant women and in umbilical cord blood of newborns. Study has been cited as evidence that GM foods are unsafe for human consumption. The authors analysed blood from healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women, as well as umbilical cord blood from babies subsequently born to the pregnant women, for the presence of the herbicides glyphosate and glufosinate, plus the insecticidal Cry1Ab protein. FSANZ identified a number of significant limitations in the design and conduct of this study which means that the results, as published, do not support the interpretations