Testbiotech comment on EFSA’s assessment of genetically engineered maize MON 89034 x 1507 x MON 88017 x 59122 x DAS-40278-9 and sub-combinations

Subtitle: 
TESTBIOTECH Background 13 - 02 - 2019

The GMO panel assessed the five-event stacked maize MON 89034 x 1507 x MON 88017 x 59122 x DAS-40278-9, which is derived from crossing five genetically engineered maize events (EFSA, 2018). The maize contains genes conferring resistance to three herbicides and produces six insecticidal proteins.

- MON 87427 expressing CP4 EPSPS protein for tolerance to glyphosate-containing herbicides;
- MON 89034 expressing Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 insecticidal proteins;
- 1507 expressing the Cry1F insecticidal protein and phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT) protein for tolerance to glufosinate-containing herbicides;
- MON 88017 expressing the Cry3Bb1 and CP4 EPSPS protein for tolerance to glyphosatecontaining
herbicides;
- 59122 expressing the Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 insecticidal proteins and the PAT protein for tolerance to glufosinate-containing herbicides and
- DAS-40278-9 expressing the aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase 1 (AAD-1) protein.

Consequently, the stacked maize produces six insecticidal toxins; Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 and Cry1F that target lepidoptera insects, and Cry3Bb1, Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 that target coleoptera). The maize is also resistant to four groups of complementary herbicides (glyphosate, glufosinate and quizalofop- and 2,4-D-containing herbicides). Even though Implementing Regulation 503/2003 has been in force since 2014, EFSA has not applied it in this case.

Publication year: 
2019
Testbiotech members involved: