Health Considerations Regarding Horizontal Transfer of MicrobialTransgenes Present in Genetically Modified Crops

[摘要] The potential effects of horizontal gene transfer on human healthare an important item in the safety assessment of geneticallymodified organisms. Horizontal gene transfer from geneticallymodified crops to gut microflora most likely occurs withtransgenes of microbial origin. The characteristics of microbialtransgenes other than antibiotic-resistance genes inmarket-approved genetically modified crops are reviewed. Thesecharacteristics include the microbial source, natural function,function in genetically modified crops, natural prevalence,geographical distribution, similarity to other microbial genes,known horizontal transfer activity, selective conditions andenvironments for horizontally transferred genes, and potentialcontribution to pathogenicity and virulence in humans and animals.The assessment of this set of data for each of the microbial genesreviewed does not give rise to health concerns. We recommendincluding the above-mentioned items into the premarket safetyassessment of genetically modified crops carrying transgenes otherthan those reviewed in the present study.

[学科分类] 基础医学