European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

Statement on the safe use of the nptII antibiotic resistance marker gene in genetically modified plants by the Scientific Panel on genetically modified organisms (GMO)

Statement  (0.1Mb)

The Commission is currently considering the authorisation for placing on the market of the genetically modified (GM) potato line EH92-527-1 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on GM food and feed and under Directive 2001/18/EC, part C. The GM potato, developed for amylopectin production, also contains a nptII gene used as a selectable marker. The nptII gene codes for an aminoglycoside phosphotransferase conferring resistance to antibiotics such as kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, butirosin, gentamycin B and geneticin.