In short
A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is a plant, animal or micro-organisms whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering and which creates a new combination of genes that does not occurs naturally. For example, a plant can be protected against insects by introducing the CRY gene of a bacteria in its genome. In the EU, the GMO products placed on the market are subject to strict regulation. The GMO laboratory of Sciensano develops and validates methods for the detection of GM plants and microorganisms in feed, food and additives, and applies them in routine analyses. Its job is to support the Belgian control authorities in charge of the GMO monitoring and to guarantee the freedom of choice of each consumer.
Project description
The GMO laboratory is part of the scientific service Transversal activities in Applied Genomics (TAG) dealing with the traceability of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in food and feed. In particular, the laboratory targets the genetic markers present in transgenic plants and derived from food and feed products available on the EU market. This is done in function of the labelling and post-marketing monitoring of GMOs and the legislation applying to the “low level presence”. The activity of the laboratory relies on the Directive 2001/18 / EC and the Regulations EC / 1829/2003, EC / 201⅙19, 2013/287/E, concerning GMOs, information to the consumers and protection the environment, when commercialising products and derived products containing GMOs.
The 3 pillars of the GMO laboratory are:
Sciensano's project investigator(s):
Service(s) working on this project
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