Assessment of unanticipated unintended effects of genetically modified plants on non-target organisms: A controversy worthy of pursuit?

Abstract

A typical risk hypothesis addressed during the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) plants for cultivation is that the novel traits intentionally introduced into GM plants do not adversely affect non-target organisms (NTOs). However, genetic modification may potentially also lead to unintended changes in the GM plant which could raise safety concerns. Therefore, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) advocates the characterization of ecological interactions between the GM plant and representative NTOs as part of the ERA of GM plants for cultivation in the European Union. Yet, this requirement is not unanimously accepted by stakeholders. Here, we present EFSA's approach to assess potential adverse effects on NTOs and summarize some of the stakeholders' views, mostly opposing EFSA's position on scientific grounds.