Review of the report on medical and biological testing of transgenic Colorado beetle resistant potato, carried out at the Nutrition Institute of the Russian Federation Academy of Medical Sciences in 1998.
The report an the medical and biological research includes results of a toxic and hygienic testing of the transgenic potato in comparison with conventional potatoes, carried out an animals.
The documents available contain statistically reliable differences in chemical
composition between the conventional awl transgenic potatoes. Significantly
different were concentrations of vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, carbons (fructose,
glucose), fatty acids . Which is why the authors' conclusion about identical
chemical composition of the transgenic and conventional potatoes is untrue.
The toxic. and hygienic testing included studies of general toxic effect of
the transgenic potato and its specific types of toxicity: potential allergenic,
immune toxic and mutagenic characteristics.
The studies of the general toxicity of the transgenic potato were done in the
framework of a chronic (continuous, 6-month long) experiment when the potato
were fed to the Vistar male rats with the background of the general vivaric
rations. The control groups were made of rats with usual vivaric rations and
rats that had conventional potato in their vivaric rations. To evaluate the
nutrition safety of the transgenic potato far the rats, the researchers used
integral hematological, biochemical and histological research methods. The
conducted experiments showed that in a month of eating genetically modified
potatoes the rats suffered from statistically confirmed weight loss, anemia
and dystrophy-like changes in hepatocytes of the rats fed with the transgenic
potato compared to the rodents that were getting conventional potatoes in their
general vivaric rations.
Unfortunately the authors don't analyze the causes of the above mentioned changes
that may characterize the toxic effects of the transgenic potato an animals.
Besides, it is quite surprising that in the materials and methods the weight
of the animals selected far the experiments was SG to 100 grams while the Methodological
Instructions MUK 2.3.2. 970-00 require the use of animals of 60 to 80 grams.
However, the world experience says that such experiments should involve mature,
3-4 month old rats with the weight of at least 160 grams, as well as an young
and developing animals.
Despite the uncovered and statistically confirmed deviations in whole (crude)
protein in the blood serum of the experimental group in comparison with the
control groups, the results interpretation contains significant mistakes and
completely ignores the uncovered phenomenon. In the toxicology experiment part,
the researchers, failed to explain what caused the statistically confirmed
weight loss of the body, the liver, anemia in the rats that ate both the transgenic
and conventional potatoes compared to the rats with usual vivaric rations.
Section 7.4.1. of the Methodological Instructions MUK 2.3.2. 970-00 envisages
research of effects of genetically modified foodstuffs
an the reproduction functions aiming to uncover the possible embryo-toxic gonado-toxic
and teratogenic effects. This research was never conducted. There are no data
an studies of potential mutagenic effects of genetically modified foodstuffs
in the form of testing. of gene mutations an microorganisms or drosophilae. The impact
of the transgenic potato an the lipid metabolism of the animals involved in
the experiments.
We also believe that the Methodological Instructions MUK 2.3.2. 970-00, "Evaluation
of safety of foodstuffs acquired from genetically modified sources" need
to be revised and improved. It is necessary to set up single age, weight of
the experiment animals, to take into account laboratory animals death percentage
and extend the time of their examination (monthly).
In conclusion, the authors suggest that it might be necessary to conduct additional
research to study effects of transgenic potatoes on 5 generation of laboratory
animals and impact of genetically modified foodstuffs an the life expectancy
of the animals.
So, the Nutrition Institute of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences conducted
research of the Colorado beetle resistant potato with obvious violation of
the Methodological Instructions MUK 2.3.2. 970-00. The authors made significant
mistakes in interpreting the results. The uncovered physiological histological
deviations in the rats fed with genetically modified potato not only don't
create any grounds to think of this potato as safe, but also confirm either
the harm they might make (at least for the rats involved in the. experiments)
or the necessity of further research.
It is absolutely obvious that further research is needed indeed to include,
among other things, toxicology testing an more rats, mutagenic effects testing
on microorganisms or drosaphilae, allergenic potential research that would
include long-lasting clinic testing on healthy volunteers.
Until the above mentioned research is done, neither the use of the type of
potato in question in food production nor release of the transgenic potato
into the environment, in our opinion, are acceptable.
L. Krepkova Deputy Head Laboratory of Drug Toxicology VILAR
Ph.D. in Biology
V. Bortnikova Laboratory of Drug Toxicology VILAR
Ph.D. in Biology Leading research Scientist