Safety Assessment of genetically modified food in Indonesia

Abstract

Through the use of recombinant DNA (rDNA) techniques, modern biotechnology is changing the ways that strains of micro organisms, plant and animals are developed and used. The DNA of interest is cloned on vectors and transferred to the plant or other cells. For example, genes encoding insecticidal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been introduced into maize, potato and other plants to produce transgenic insect-plants. Safety assessment of GM foods should take place with "case-by-case" variations, taking into account the conventional counterpart's long history of safe use. Specifically, safety assessment of GM foods should include the following: identification of the organism that has been modified and the source organism of the introduced gene; identification of the gene products, including description of characteristics of the inserted gene; and evaluation of the safety of expected novel substances in the food. One approach taken by regulatory bodies is to obtain data on the composition of a GM food in relation to its conventional counterpart.