Past activities 2010 - 2012

Detection methods are typically only developed as an LMO passes through the regulatory process. For LMOs where the research is ongoing and no regulatory approvals have been sought, there may be no detection method available nor even awareness that the LMO exists. At times, these LMOs enter the commercial stream despite not having received regulatory approval (e.g. Triffid flax, Liberty Link rice). Detection methods must then be developed very rapidly. A related issue is so-called ‘asynchronous approvals’ where an LMO has been approved for use in one jurisdiction but not in another. The second jurisdiction may not be familiar with methods for detecting and identifying the new LMO.

    * What experiences do laboratories have with the detection of unauthorized transformation events?
    * What are the challenges to developing detection methods for unauthorized transformation events?
    * How might laboratories collaborate to address the need for detection methods for unauthorized events?
    * How have different laboratories responded to the challenges of asynchronous approvals?

Posted on behalf of Gurinder Jit Randhawa:

Dear Kathryn

Preliminary screening assays for control elements and selectable or scorable (reporter) marker genes will be useful in verifying the GM status in an unauthorized event irrespective of the crop and GM trait.

Our GM detection lab has also developed a multiplex PCR method for qualitative detection and identification of six commonly used marker genes, viz., aadA, bar, hpt, nptII, pat, and uidA, individually as well as simultaneously in a single run.

In order to facilitate the development of a GM detection method, the companies developing those events must provide the information regarding the flanking regions of that event, if it is characterized. But, if not characterized, at least they must provide the information regarding its transgene construct. If there is no information from the developer, screening strategy may help in event characterization.

Hence, preparing a matrix of authorised and unauthorized events for their promoters/terminators/ markers/transgenes, would be helpful in developing detection methods for unauthorized transformation events.

It should be made mandatory that after event selection, when the material is grown in field trials for conducting biosafety studies, the developer of the material must provide flanking regions of that event.

Matrix can be developed for all events under field trials in country of export of particular crop

Matrix can be developed for the events which are allowed in one jurisdiction, but not in another, so that the information regarding the transgenic elements of unauthorised events, can easily be accessed
Kind Regards
Dr. (Mrs.) Gurinder Jit Randhawa

Principal Scientist
National Research Centre on DNA Fingerprinting
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
New Delhi-110012, INDIA

Dear all,

Please note that the European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food Feed (EU-RL GMFF) and the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) have recently published a guidance document on "Overview on the detection, interpretation and reporting on the presence of unauthorised genetically modified materials".

This document is avaiable at
http://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/guidancedocs.htm