Biosafety evaluation of genetically modified lactic acid bacteria

LEBLANC, J.G.; SESMA, F.; SAVOY DE GIORI, G.

BIOCELL

IHEM-CONICET

Lugar: Mendoza, Argentina; Año: 2007

0327-9545

Although no known risks on human health have been reported, genetically modified (GM) micro-organisms should be evaluated from a biosafety point of view before considering their insertion in the human food chain. The object of this work was to evaluate the biosafety of GM lactic acid bacteria (GM-LAB) using an animal model. Mice received a high concentration of GM-LAB or a native strain during 30 days and different health parameters were evaluated. The GM-LAB did not produce adverse effects on health of recipient animals as shown by normal growth, haematological values and other physiological parameters evaluated in this study. From these results, we can suppose that the GM-LAB used in this study are just as safe for consumers as the native strains from which they were derived.