ANIMAL-MODELS TO ASSESS THE PATHOGENICITY OF GENETICALLY-MODIFIED MICROORGANISMS FOR HUMANS

Two animal models are proposed to assess the colonising capacities and other virulence factors of genetically modified enteric microorganism s for humans. One is the streptomycin treated mouse which is exceeding ly susceptible to colonisation with enteric pathogens. The other is th e human intestinal microbiota associated mouse which, in ecological st udies, responded in a manner similar to human infants to variations in diet. The latter model is recommended because of differences between human and animal microbiotas and the important role of the microbiota in resisting colonisation with pathogenic microorganisms.