The presence or absence of transgenic and endogenous plant DNA fragments in the blood, tissues and digesta of broilers consuming genetically modified dietary ingredients

The global area sown to genetically modified (GM) crops has increased rapidly from 1.7 million ha in 1996 to 67.7 million ha in 2003 (James, 2003). While GM crops have been shown to be substantially equivalent (e.g. Clarke and Ipharraguerre, 2000), the use of GM crops (e.g. maize grain) or components/products from them (e.g. soyabean meal) in livestock diets has raised a number of safety concerns including, the potential for transgenic DNA to transfer to animal-derived products intended for human consumption. Therefore, the aim was to determine the presence or absence of transgenic and endogenous plant DNA fragments in the blood, tissues and digesta of broilers consuming GM-based diets.