International scientific workshop: Risk assessment considerations for RNAi-based GM plants
More than 100 scientific experts attended EFSA’s international workshop on RNAi (ribonucleic acid interference) in genetically modified (GM) plants in Brussels. The two-day event on 4-5 June provided a unique forum for specialists from four continents to pool knowledge and provide insights on the biology of RNAi, current and future applications of RNAi-based GM plants, and issues specific to their risk assessment.
The team from EFSA was joined by scientists and experts on risk assessment from academia, risk evaluation bodies, NGO’s and the private sector from the Americas, Asia and all over Europe.
Presentations ranged from overviews of the latest science on RNAi in plants, mammals and invertebrates to those exploring current and future RNAi applications. Participants also examined potential risk assessment aspects specific to RNAi-based plants in three separate break-out sessions. Each session focused on one of the three main areas of GM plant risk assessment: molecular characterisation; food/feed safety assessment; and environmental risk assessment.
Elisabeth Waigmann, Head of EFSA’s GMO Unit, said: “The contributions, both from delegates delivering presentations and those providing questions and comments from the floor, was truly exceptional. It was inspiring to be part of such a collaborative and productive event. These valuable insights will make an important contribution to EFSA’s considerations on the risk assessment strategy for RNAi-based GM plants. We would like to extend our thanks to all those who participated.”
Event Report
Programme and Participant list
- Programme(125.5 KB)
- Participant list(374.43 KB)
Presentations
Several speakers have given EFSA permission to reproduce their presentations and these are listed below:
Presentations
- Hervé Vaucheret – Plant RNAi mechanisms: lessons from silent transgenes
- Xavier Bellés – RNAi in insects
- Tamas Dalmay – Overview on current and future RNAi applications
- Christina Lawrence – Global risk assessment considerations for in planta RNAi-mediated control of insect pests
- Lisa Kelly – Risk assessment considerations for foods derived from RNAi-based GM plants
- Jonathan Lundgren – Considerations for risk assessment procedures of RNAi-based crops
- Kenneth Witwer - RNAi as plant-incorporated protectant: potential for off-target regulation in mammals
- Ralph Scorza - RNAi technology to provide safe, effective, and durable resistance to Sharka disease caused by Plum pox virus