Detection of genetically modified DNA sequences in milk from The Italian market

The effect of genetically modified feeds on productivity, milk composition, serum metabolite profiles and transfer of tDNA into milk of cows

“…Agodi et al (2006) detected small fragments of recombinant DNA in analysed milk samples from the Italian market, which they suspected was due to feed and faecal contamination during milking of cows fed genetically modified diets. In a study by Guertler et al (2010), the Cry1Ab protein was found in faeces, whereas no recombinant DNA or Cry1Ab protein was detected in milk.…”

Carry-over of DNA from genetically modified soyabean and maize to cow’s milk

“…In conflict with the majority of studies in this field, a latter study showed that small DNA fragments can be detected in goat milk and also in organs of offspring when mother is fed GM soya (Tudisco et al, 2010). Furthermore, small fragments of transgenic DNA were also detected in milk samples from the Italian market (Agodi et al, 2006), though the authors interpreted their presence as an indicator of faecal or airborne contamination with feed particles.…”

“…So, the objective of current study was to verify the possible presence of feed-derived DNA in organic and conventional milk by evaluating the presence of transgenic and plant DNA and assessing its endogenous or exogenous origin as a result of the carry-over from cows fed with either GM or GM-free feed and from environment (contamination from 'dust or aerosols') (Agodi et al, 2006). Although there are some other studies on this topic, this is the first study carried out in real life husbandry systems without changing the routine operations or labour management practices -no confined spaces were set and all cows were fed their usual diet.…”

Evaluation of the possibility of horizontal gene transfer and accumulation of transgenic DNA from the diet in the bodies of rats

“…Experimentally, the presence of transgenic DNA was confirmed in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs (Chowdhury et al, 2003). Agodi et al (2006) found the presence of modified DNA of soya and maize in milk samples collected from animals fed GMO in diets; the authors indicated, however, the possibility of committing a methodical error and contamination of the research material with bacteria in which the modified genes occur (Agrobacterium sp. and…”