Research Article
Mehboob-Ur-Rahman, Muhammad
Abstract
Impact of transgenic cotton containing Cry 1Ac (Bt cotton) has been witnessed in term of reduced insecticide use and enhanced cotton production, are compelling factors for its rapid adoption worldwide. Though Bt cotton has been released for cultivation based on the biosafety data generated mostly by the developer, and the information on its safe use are yet meager. Hence additional studies are needed to support the food safety issues by developing different cases with independent Bt-cotton genotypes. In the present study, seed and leaves of IR-NIBGE-901 (containing Bt gene) were fed to rabbits over a period of 90 days as to know 1) non-target mammalian food-safety and 2) primary effect as feed to domestic animals. During the course of study, all rabbits both in treated and control groups grew well without any marked differences in appearance, food/water intake or gain in body weight. Similarly, no differences were observed in complete blood composition, liver enzymes, random blood sugar or cholesterol. Necropsy, at the conclusion of the study revealed neither pathological symptoms in any of the rabbits tested nor histopathological abnormalities in liver and kidney. Potential genotoxicity to liver and kidney cells at the DNA level was measured first time by comet assay. Tail like structures following electrophoresis of extracted DNA in agarose gels (indicative of genetic damage) was not observed among the treated or control groups. This study suggests that Bt cotton in the diet has no adverse effect on growth and development of rabbits as one of examples for mammals.