FOOD SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF MARKER GENES IN TRANSGENIC CROPS

The presence of marker genes in genetically modified crop plants raise s a number of food safety issues. Recently, the demonstration that the se genes can be removed after successful genetic modification has rene wed the discussion on their presence. Here, the potential detrimental effects of marker genes on food safety are discussed; consideration of these should be included as part of the risk-benefit analysis of gene tically modified food products before their introduction to the market place.