CTNBio subcommissions release commercial use of corn with event DP202216

The technical subcommittees of the National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio) authorized the commercial use of corn with event DP-2Ø2216-6 (DP-202216-6). The order was from Corteva Agriscience.

The release covers human and animal food. This includes handling, processing, marketing, transport, import, export and storage, consumption and disposal of products.

The DP202216 event was developed by Dow AgroSciences, one of the companies that created Corteva. The introduction of its characteristics occurs through plant transformation mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Its objective is to provide tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate and improve photosynthesis and plant yield. This event is available in other countries. For example, Australia, Canada, the United States and New Zealand.

According to literature, maize plants containing event DP-2Ø2216-6 (maize DP202216) temporarily amplify the expression of the native transcription factor zmm28 increasing the potential for greater grain yield; and express the protein phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT), which confers tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate. There is studies by Corteva scientists which indicate an increase in productivity. Furthermore, "DP202216 corn has previously been shown to be compositionally and nutritionally equivalent to conventional corn," say Corteva scientists.

According to Technical Opinion Extract 8.693/2023: "DP-2Ø2216-6 corn was genetically modified to increase and extend the expression of the zmm28 gene in relation to the expression of the native zmm28 gene. Both the introduced and native zmm28 genes encode the ZMM28 protein, a MADS-box transcription factor. Increased and extended expression of the ZMM28 protein results in plants with greater grain yield potential. The results of the analysis of the proximate composition, minerals and fibers, in the forage, fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, metabolites and antinutrients in corn grains demonstrate that DP202216 corn is comparable to conventional corn represented by non-GM control isoline corn and non-GM commercial corn. Within the scope of the powers of article 14 of Law 11.105/05, as well as the internationally accepted criteria for evaluating the safety of genetically modified foods and raw materials, CTNBio considered that the biosafety data from the DP202216 event meet the relevant standards and legislation that aim to guarantee the biosafety of the environment, agriculture, human and animal health . Therefore, if the conditions described in the process and in this technical opinion are met, this activity does not potentially cause significant degradation of the environment or human health."