EFSA gave positive opinion on GM carnation SHD-27531-4

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) GMO Panel concludes that there is no scientific reason to consider that the import, distribution and retailing in the EU of carnation SHD-27531-4 cut flowers from Suntory Holdings Limited for ornamental use will cause any adverse effects on human health or the environment.

 

Carnation SHD-27531-4 is a genetically modified variety of Dianthus caryophyllus L. used as a decorative plant species. The purple colour of the flowers results from the expression of two newly introduced genes encoding dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (dfr) and flavonoid 3’,5’-hydroxylase (f3’5’h). This construct, together with endogenous genes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, enables the biosynthesis of delphinidin in the petals. Carnation SHD-27531-4 also contains a mutated herbicide tolerance gene coding for an acetolactate synthase (ALS) variant protein, used to facilitate the selection of GM plantlets during the genetic transformation process.