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New Biochip as a Test for Non-Approved Genetically Modified Organisms in Food

25 Sep 2006 - During recent weeks consumer protectors discovered non-approved, genetically engineered LL601 rice in German and European supermarkets. This has now also been confirmed by official food control authorities. Only a few weeks ago, similar reports were released by the American health agency FDA who had also found illicit genetically modified rice of the same variety in the shelves of supermarkets in the US.
 
Eppendorf Biochip Systems GmbH has developed an detection method for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) which detects GMOs currently approved by the EU and reliably tests for the presence of non-approved GMOs.
 
The technical principle is based on the detection of specific DNA elements used only in GMO plants. The Eppendorf method combines the information obtained from the test under software guidance to come to a conclusion on genetically engineered organisms. According to the company, the advantage compared to conventional tests is that it can detect numerous individual elements of one gene library simultaneously.