Centre for Integrated Research
in Biosafety
Evaluation of risks from creation of novel RNA
molecules in genetically engineered wheat plants
and recommendations for risk assessment
This analysis therefore is based on the potential for modifications
that could cause harm from the viewpoint of a scientist attempting to minimise
type II errors, i.e., those that would falsely find no risk when one indeed exists.
Background:
in vitro
in vitro
SEI
SEII
Figure 1: source of new dsRNA molecules from genetic engineering.
Figure 2: translation and the two pathways of cytoplasmic dsRNA mediated
silencing.
There is strong evidence that siRNAs
produced in the wheat will transfer to humans through food.
There is strong evidence that siRNAs produced in the wheat will remain in a
form that can transmit to humans even when the wheat has been cooked or
processed for use in food.
in vivo
There is strong evidence that once transmitted,
siRNA produced in wheat would have the biological capacity to cause an
effect.
There is strong evidence that siRNAs produced in the
wheat will transfer to recipient organisms in the environment.
in planta
both
Any of these unintended secondary
dsRNA molecules could be the cause of an adverse effect.
There is evidence that unintended
secondary siRNAs potentially could be produced either in the wheat as an
unavoidable outcome of the modification, or in organisms exposed to wheat
tissues during cultivation or storage.
Introduction:
SEI
SEI
SEII
SEI
SEII
SEI
SE
SEI
GBE
5
3
intron 3
3
3
RNA
5
5
DNA
3
5
Figure 3. Hypothetical structures of regulatory RNA molecules in GM
wheat.
SEI
SEI
First
Second
in planta
Third
Fourth
Finally
Methods:
GBE
SEI
Results:
SEI
GBE
SEI
GBE
GBE
SEI
SEI
GBE
SEI
Figure 4. High density identity relationship between SEI and GBE.
GBE
SEI
SEI
SEI
GBE
GBE
SEI
GBE
SEI
Plausible risk pathways:
GBE
SEI
GBE
2796
SEI
24642
11
82
Scientific studies I would recommend to precede a field trial:
in planta
Conclusions:
SEI
GBE
SEI,
GBE
SEI
SEI,
GBE
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3
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447
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99
99
33
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432
22
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8
10
100
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45
16
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18
26
,
et al.
22