GMSAFOOD · Biomarkers for post market monitoring of short and long-term effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on animal and human health

The function of post market monitoring is to further assess possible nutritional and health effects of authorized GM foods on a mixed population of human and animal consumers. Currently, however, little is known about exposure levels, whether adverse effects are predictable, and the occurrence of any unexpected effects following market release of GM foods. Our objective is to identify a panel of anatomic, physiologic, biochemical, molecular, allergenic, and immunogenic biomarkers, which could be used to predict harmful GMO effects after product authorization. Using a prototype allergenic α-amylase inhibitor GM-pea, we will extrapolate multiple biomarker databases that correlate GMO effects during gestation, growth, maturation in various animal models with humans. We will establish biomarkers in GMO-fed pigs, salmon, rats, and mice, in addition to indirect effects of GM feeding in the food chain and GMO influence during an underlying allergic disorder. These experiments will yield data on general health with a specific focus on allergy and immunology. To extrapolate our data to humans, we will establish a comparative database with antigenic epitopes and antibody crossreactivity in legume allergic patients and human-mouse chimera in which a human immune system is transplanted into a mouse lacking an immune system. Taken together, these results will yield databases from multiple biological systems that will be used in a mathematical modeling strategy for biomarker discovery and validation. Our consortium consists of partners from Austria, Turkey, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, and Australia and constitutes a diverse interdisciplinary team from veterinary medicine, nutrition, agriculture, immunology, and medicine that is dedicated to the development and validation of biomarkers to be used for post market monitoring of animals and humans consuming newly authorized GMOs.