What are the testing procedures for determining potential allergenicity of biotech crops?
The testing procedures vary depending on the source of the gene introduced. If the gene is from a known food allergen, DuPont conducts a series of clinical tests using serum samples from people who are allergic to that food. If the gene has no history of food allergenicity or is a rare food allergen where few, if any, serum samples exist, the testing is based on what scientists know about existing allergens. This includes a comparison of the amino acid sequence of the new protein to all known allergens, and an assessment of protein stability during digestion, as well as at temperatures typically used in food processing.
