www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

The nptII gene (neomycin phosphototransferase II) provides resistance to
certain antibiotics, such as the aminoglycosides kanamycin, neomycin and
geneticin, in plants. The panel previously addressed the issue of whether
the antibiotic resistance could be transferred from plants to animals in
2004, finding that there is no scientific evidence that such a transfer
would occur.
The new assessment was prompted by information provided by the European
Medicines Agency (EMEA) on the therapeutic value of such antibiotics.
According to EMEA, aminoglycosides are becoming increasingly important in
the prevention and treatment of serious invasive bacterial infections in
humans (such as tuberculosis), since such bacteria are becoming resistant to
other classes of antibiotics.

But in its earlier assessment the panel had said that aminoglycosides were
not commonly used. It said that both kanamycin and neomycin were rarely used
because of their side-effects.

Although EFSA agrees with EMEA on its evaluation of the use of antibiotics,
a spokesperson for the authority told FoodNavigator.com that the evaluation
is not about how much the antibiotics are used but on whether or not
resistance can be transferred from plants to animals.

On the basis of evidence - both previously existing and additional - the
panel concluded that the therapeutic potential of the antibiotics will be
compromised by the presence of the nptII gene in plants "given the extremely
low probability of gene transfer from plants to bacteria".

It considers that it is "very unlikely" that the presence of the nptII gene
in plants would change the existing prevalence of the gene in bacterial
sources in the environment. The conclusions of its previous opinion, that
the use of the nptII gene as selectable marker in GM plants does not pose a
risk to human or animal health or to the environment.

EFSA has forwarded its opinion to the EC and EU member states (plus Norward
and Sweden). These, it says, "will now be able to take into account EFSA's
most recnet scientific advice on the nptII gene when considering GMO
authorisation issues.

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