Editing MON 863

{{Short description|Variety of maize}}

'''MON 863''' is a [[Genetically modified maize|genetically engineered variety of maize]] produced by [[Monsanto]]. It is genetically altered to express a modified version of [[Cry3Bb1]], a delta endotoxin which originates from ''[[Bacillus thuringiensis]]''.<ref name='Greenpeace MON863 chronicle'>{{cite web | url = http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/planet-2/report/2007/3/mon863_chronicle_of_deception.pdf | title = The MON863 case - a chronicle of systematic deception | access-date = 2010-07-22 | publisher = [[Greenpeace]] | quote = MON863 is a genetically modified corn that expresses a Bt-toxin. This toxin is a modified version of the delta endotoxin Cry3Bb1 which originates from the microorganism Bacillus thuringiensis. The genetic manipulation is aimed at protecting maize plants against a pest called corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.). MON863 differs from other Bt-corns already placed on the market (MON810, BT11, Bt176), which produce a modified Cry1Ab toxin conferring resistance to a pest called European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), in that it produces an artificial Cry3Bb1 toxin. In addition to the modified Cry3Bb1 toxin gene MON863 contains an antibiotic resistance marker gene.}}</ref><ref name='Doull 2007 genetics'>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.fct.2007.08.033 |title=Report of an Expert Panel on the reanalysis by of a 90-day study conducted by Monsanto in support of the safety of a genetically modified corn variety (MON 863) |year=2007 |last1=Doull |first1=J. |last2=Gaylor |first2=D. |last3=Greim |first3=H.A. |last4=Lovell |first4=D.P. |last5=Lynch |first5=B. |last6=Munro |first6=I.C. |journal=[[Food and Chemical Toxicology]] |volume=45 |issue=11 |pages=2073–85 |pmid=17900781}}</ref> This protects the plant from [[Diabrotica|corn rootworm]].<ref name='Doull 2007 genetics' /><ref name='Coghlan 2010-01-22'>{{cite news | first = Andy | last = Coghlan | title = Engineered maize toxicity claims roundly rebuffed | date = 2010-01-22 | url = https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527444.000-engineered-maize-toxicity-claims-roundly-rebuffed.html | work = New Scientist | access-date = 2010-07-21}}</ref> Unlike [[MON 810]], [[Bt 11]], and [[Bt 176]] which each produce a modified [[Cry1Ab]], MON 863 instead produces a modified Cry3Bb1 toxin and contains [[nptII]], a [[marker gene]] for [[antibiotic resistance]].<ref name='Greenpeace MON863 chronicle' /><ref name='Lorch 2005-09-30'>{{cite web | url = http://www.ifrik.org/files-ifrik/0509_greenpeace_mon863_hybrids.pdf | title = EFSA's Opinion on MON863 hybrids | access-date = 2010-07-22 | last = Lorch | first = Antje | date = 2005-09-30 | work = ifrik | publisher = [[Greenpeace]] | quote = MON863 contains an GM antibiotic resistance gene (nptII) against kanamycin and neomycin. | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726171634/http://www.ifrik.org/files-ifrik/0509_greenpeace_mon863_hybrids.pdf | archive-date = 2011-07-26 }}</ref>

In 2004, Monsanto sought approval in Europe to introduce MON 863. Approval was granted in 2005 for use in feed<ref>Staff (8 August 2005) [http://www.gmo-compass.org/pdf/regulation/maize/MON863_maize_decision_feed.pdf concerning the placing on the market, in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of a maize product (Zea mays L., line MON 863) genetically modified for resistance to corn rootworm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231200535/http://www.gmo-compass.org/pdf/regulation/maize/MON863_maize_decision_feed.pdf |date=2010-12-31 }} Commission of the European Communities, Official Journal, Retrieved 17 November 2012</ref> and in 2006 for use in food.<ref>Staff (13 January 2006) [http://www.gmo-compass.org/pdf/regulation/maize/MON863_maize_decision_food.pdf concerning the placing on the market, in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of a maize product (Zea mays L., line MON 863) genetically modified for resistance to corn rootworm and in 2006 in food] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905152527/http://www.gmo-compass.org/pdf/regulation/maize/MON863_maize_decision_food.pdf |date=2012-09-05 }} Commission of the European Communities, Official Journal, Retrieved 17 November 2012</ref> There was controversy over acceptance by regulatory bodies of industry-funded toxicity studies and over the design of those studies led by Pr [[Gilles-Éric Séralini]], who was on the committee that reviewed MON863 for the French government.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.criigen.org/SiteEn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=105 |title=Seralini bio on CRIIGEN |access-date=2012-09-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330131455/http://www.criigen.org/SiteEn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=105 |archive-date=2014-03-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

See [[genetically_modified_food_controversies#S.C3.A9ralini_criticisms_of_toxicity_study_designs_and_responses|Genetically modified food controversies]] for details of this controversy, which extended beyond MON 863.

Following legal action by parties including the [[Swedish Board of Agriculture]] and [[Greenpeace]], a [[Münster]] appeals court ruled that Monsanto would be forced to publicly reveal its research data.<ref name='Reilly 2010-01-23'>{{cite news | first = Michael | last = Reilly | title = Is Genetically Modified Corn Toxic? | date = 2010-01-23 | url = http://news.discovery.com/earth/is-genetically-modified-corn-toxic.html | work = Discovery News | access-date = 2010-07-21}}</ref>

As of 2015, MON 863 is approved for cultivation in three countries: the United States, Japan, and Canada. The corn is approved for use in [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[China]], the [[European Union]], [[Japan]], [[Mexico]], [[New Zealand]], [[Russia]], [[Singapore]], [[South Korea]], [[Taiwan]], and the [[United States]].<ref>Staff, ISAAA. Last updated July 27, 2015 [http://www.isaaa.org/gmapprovaldatabase/event/default.asp?EventID=87&Event=MON863 Event Name: MON863] See Authorizations tab. Accessed June 2, 2016</ref>

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{{Corn}}

{{Genetic engineering}}

[[Category:Genetically modified maize]]

[[Category:Monsanto]]