Effect of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine

Diets containing genetically modified (GM) potatoes expressing the lectin G alanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) had variable effects on different parts o f the rat gastrointestinal tract, Some effects, such as the proliferation o f the gastric mucose, were mainly due to the expression of the GNA transgen e. However, other parts of the construct or the genetic transformation (or both] could also have contributed to the overall biological effects of the GNA-GM potatoes, particularly on the small intestine and caecum.