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CoExtra Library - Project deliverables

Public Deliverables of the Co-Extra project

In the course of the project, the Co-Extra partners have written numerous deliverables dealing, for example, with gene flow mitigation, with GMO detection and sampling techniques and with the legal as well as the social implications of Coexistence and Traceability with regard to GM and non-GM supply chains. Whilst some deliverables are confidential and restricted to project participants and the European Commission, all public deliverables may be downloaded from the links below. Any member of the public may register to download these deliverables.

WP1: Biological Approaches For Gene Flow Mitigation

• State of Art of plastid transformation as a containment strategy
  This deliverable provides an overview of the current understanding of the structural properties of the plastid DNA, structure and function of the plastome and the inheritance of plastids and their genomes.
• Report on the genotypes used and preliminary results of sunflower CMS lines
  The study aims to evaluate the reliability of CMS in sunflower as a possible way for preventing the flow of transgenic pollen.
• Report on the genotypes used and preliminary results of sunflower CMS lines and tomato MS lines
  Cytoplasmic and nuclear male sterility were tested in order to evaluate the existence of pollen flow under tomato field condition, and the stability of nuclear male sterility with practical application.
• Report on the genotypes used and preliminary results of the Plus-Hybrid effect in Modern European Maize Hybrids
  One of the biological approaches for gene flow mitigation could be the containment of the transgene in male sterile plants (no release of transgenic pollen) which are cultivated in mixtures with conventional male fertile bred plants, assuming successful fertilization.
• Report on the genotypes used and preliminary results of the CMS trait in modern European maize hybrids
  The stability of the cytoplasmic male sterility for a number of European modern CMS hybrids was tested on the field under different environmental conditions in order to make sure that CMS is a reliable approach of pollen flow biocontainment.
• Report on the study exploring the challenges, gaps, and opportunities linked to the production of CMS crops
  Provisional review on biological gene containment strategies with special focus on CMS maize, cleistogamic rapeseed and chloroplast transformation
• Decision on the relevance of potential biological mitigation techniques / selection of those techniques that are developed and/or validated further
  Analysis and validation of methods for restricting gene flow during cultivation by field experiments located at different sites in Europe with CMS-maize and cleistogamous rapeseed. The stability of these biological mitigation techniques was investigated. In addition, field trials have been carried out to investigate the abilities and potential use of CMS hybrids in a Plus-Hybrid system.

WP3: Economic Costs And Benefits Of Traceability And Coexistence

• Willingness to pay (WTP) survey instrument with associated notes
  This document contains explanatory notes and contextual information relating to the survey of consumer willingness to pay for genetically modified food.
• Reviews on consumers’ attitudes towards GMO labelling
  This literature review had the dual objectives of investigating consumers’ Willingness-to-pay (WTP) a premium for non-GM products and their reactions to GM labelling and traceability.
• Final survey instrument description for PTP analysis
  This report was designed to contain a template for the analysis of the descriptive data derived from a multi-country survey of consumers on e.g. awareness of GM issues, attitudes to GM technologies, food purchasing behavior and attitudes to risk from different food production technologies.
• Cost and benefit categories for ensuring co-existence and traceability
  This deliverable describes the template to be used for the presentation of costs and benefit categories to ensure coexistence in food and feed supply chains.
• Description of cost structure of representative food and feed supply chains
  The purpose of the document is to give a description of the present cost structure in selected representative food and feed supply chains (soybean, maize, rape seed, wheat, sugar beet). The present descriptions of the cost structures are not complete. Therefore the summary descriptions of cost structure in this report should be considered as a first step of information collection.

WP4: Development Of Testing And Sampling Approaches

• Validation of microarray method for the screening of EU approved GMOs by identification of their genetic elements
  A new method based on the use of microarray for the detection of the amplicons produced by PCR was developed allowing the detection and identification of GMOs. This report outlines validation data of the method that was validated in the framework of a European project (Co-Extra project) and with the assistance of the scientific community working on GMOs.
• Existing sampling plans and needs for the development of novel sampling approaches for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) evaluation
  Overview of existing sampling and sub-sampling (S&S) strategies, and identification of principal gaps and future needs to implement sampling along food and feed chain.
• Procedure for the experimental design and validation of novel GMO detection methods and guidelines for data processing, method validation and good data handling practices
  The report describes preliminary guidelines for novel statistical models for experimental design and data analysis e.g. of real-time PCR and for methods that do not fit into the standard scheme foreseen in the current guidelines for collaborative trials (e.g. multiplex methods and arrays). The results do not represent final working instructions, SOPs, standardised protocols, or fully validated statistical approaches, which are aspects which will be addressed as an additional deliverable towards the end of the project.

WP5: Development of cost-effective and fit-for-purpose methods and tools for detection of GMO plant taxa and controls.

• Report on limits and benefits of loop mediated DNA amplification in view of accuracy, sensitivity and cost
  The report addresses the potential benefits of a non-PCR molecular methods for the detection and quantification of GM: Loop-Mediated Amplification (LAMP) in conjunction with BART (bioluminescent assay for real-time). One of the benefits can be the potential to bring molecular tests to on-site testing, something which has been difficult and expensive with PCR due to the complexity of the required hardware.
• Report specifying the applicability of hyperspectral NIR in GMO detection on different levels including the economic level
  The NIR imaging method has been tested for the detection and the quantification of GMO in grains.
• Report on the benefits and limits of pJanus and MTPs as quantitative calibrants
  This report reviews the cloning and application of plasmid DNA markers usable as positive controls. Provided the suitability of plasmids as calibrants in GMO analysis can be demonstrated, plasmids would represent an ideal solution to overcome the current lack of independent calibrants.
• Report on ways to improve limit of quantification in GMO detection
  This reports provides a description of an approach for quantification of the presence of genetically modified (GM) DNA in samples with low absolute GM content.

WP6: Technical challenges of GMO detection, including the development of new techniques for detection of unknown GMOs and stacked genes.

• GMO testing: Status report on the target analyte instability bias studies
  This report describes the results of studies on target analyte instability. The purpose of the report is to assist the stakeholders in interpreting analytical results and implementing analytical procedures that may minimise the risk of bias of the resulting GMO quantity estimates.
• Status report on target and signal amplification methods alternative to PCR, with focus on multiplexing and integration with e.g. arrays
  This document describes the state-of-the-art within the Co-Extra project of alternative target amplification and signal amplification methods alternative to PCR, with a focus on multiplexing and integration with e.g. array technology.
• Prototype multiplex assays developed
  This deliverable is a review of the work that has been performed under task T6.1 (development of multiplex screening methods) to identify candidate prototype assay(s) that may be subjected to optimisation and validation.
• Review on the world wide authorization of gene stacked GMOs in regulation to cGS and the basis for definition of corresponding unique genetic markers
  A position document providing the definition of gene stacking in plants, as well as its implications in relation to genetics, safety, detectability and European regulations.
• Compilation of target sequences suitable for inclusion in multiplex GMO screening assays
  The purpose of this deliverable is primarily to provide an overview on suitable target sequences and to facilitate the sharing of sequence information and also to initiate relevant discussions and actions that ensure the availability and appropriateness of sequence information.
• Status report on target and signal amplification methods alternative to PCR, with focus on multiplexing and integration with e.g. arrays
  Report on the possibilities and limitations of target amplification methods alternative to PCR in combination with signal amplification technologies.

WP7: Integration of project results with respect to legal, scientific, social and ethical issues

• Comparative review of coexistence and traceability systems in selected countries of Europe, North and South America
  The study describes 1) the different forms of the supply chains organisation; 2) the theme of coexistence associated with different kind of segregation within supply chains; 3) the traceability theme and the different kind of information transmitted within international supply chains.
• The Juridical Nature of Co-existence Policy between GM and non-GM Supply Chains Technological Pluralism and Freedom of Trade and Industry
  This report has for objective to analyse the juridical and political nature of the project "Coexistence between GMO and GMO-free supply chains". It is discussing topics such as "Why co-existence?", technological pluralism and freedom of choice by operators.
• Report on the analysis of trans-border issues with GMOs
  This case study considers how a claim concerning cross-border contamination between genetically modified and non-GM crops (including organically grown crops) between Denmark and Germany would unfold.
• Survey of legal regimes including international treaties
  This report reviews the legal regimes that are associated with the regulation of genetically modified organisms and genetically modified micro-organisms. Legal regimes do not only include international treaties, regional and national primary law, but also international declarations and guidance that may serve to determine the manner in which law is interpreted.
• Report of the traceability and co-existence systems and practices in European non-EU countries
  The aim of this study is to overview the traceability and co-existence systems and practices in European, non-EU countries in order to identify potential similarities, differences, novel good practices or approaches that could be successfully applied by the EU Member States.