13 Jun 2008 11:00
Unit:
Wageningen University
Location:
Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation:
Wageningen University
Promotor:
prof.dr. I.M.C.M Rietjens (Toxicology)
Co Promotor:
Prof.dr. M.R. Müller (Promotor), Dr.ir. H.A. Kuiper (RIKILT, Wageningen), Dr.ir. J. Keijer (RIKILT, Wageningen)
This thesis evaluates the safety analysis of food products that are derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as well as from conventionally bred crops. Specific attention is paid to the possible application omics-technologies, especially transcriptomics, as part of the food safety assessment.
The data in this thesis show that transcriptomics has the potential to detect large as well as small changes in plant gene expression. Transcriptomics can thus contribute to the screening for unintended changes in the physiology of the plant. At the same time the experiments show that the interpretation of detected differences is complicated as it is necessary to have data on the ranges in gene expression in tomatoes that are already on the market and are considered to be safe.
Sofar the safety evaluation of new plant varieties is limited to the evaluation of intended changes, analyses for unintended changes are only performed in the case of plant products that are derived from GMOs. This thesis proposes to include safety criteria as additional criteria in plant breeding strategies for all new plant varieties.