B/BE/19/V1

Host organism: Zea mays (Maize)
Zea Mays photo
Trait: 

The maize plants have been edited using the CRISPR/Cas9 system resulting in the mutation of either the ATR or ATM gene. There are three events: one event with one additional DNA basepair in the ATR gene, one event with one additional DNA basepair in the ATM gene and one event with a 1272 bp deletion in the ATR gene. The result of these alterations is that these genes are no longer functional. The ATR and ATM genes gene plays a role in the repair of DNA damage and in these plants faults in the DNA are believed to accumulate to a higher degree.

Project title: 
Wetenschappelijk veldonderzoek naar maïs als biosensor voor het meten van DNA-schade als gevolg van milieustress
Company/Institution: 
VIB
Year(s) of release: 
2019
Location(s): 
Wetteren, Belgium
Number of sites: 
1
Total surface: 
Approximately 345 m2
Containment measures: 

The field trial location is surrounded by a 1.80 m high wired fence to prevent accidental trespassing and accidental removal or spread of GM material.

Monitoring measures: 

The risk of spread of the modified properties to the environment is mitigated by removing the tassel, or in exceptional cases hulling the tassel, thus preventing the spread of modified pollen to non-modified maize plants in the surroundings. The formed modified seeds are well retained in the cobs and these cobs will be very carefully hand harvested, thus preventing any spread of seeds to the environment. In case some seeds would be lost during the harvest, they are not expected to result in the establishment of the maize outside the field.

Status: 

Authorized

Type of procedure: 
Standard procedure - Chapter II Royal Decree 21 February 2005

Information for the public

Information related to the decision procedure