Genetically modified (GM) crops have been produced for over 20 years. Despite this, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) remain controversial in many countries. GMOs are governed based on national legislation, resulting in varying regulations governing the importation and use of GMO’s.
The GMO Act regulates GMO activities in South Africa, the ACT intends to ensure that GM crops are safe and sustainable.Permits are required from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development for all GMO-related activities, such as contained use, field trials, importing, and exporting.
GMO products intended for distribution and consumption are required to be approved for the type and amounts of GM material within them.This specifically applies to the presence or absence of GMOs using a PCR testing method to detect the gene events approved in South Africa for maize and soy crops. The test result should state less than 1% presence of GMO for a GMO status certificate to be issued.
Failure to conform to the GMO regulatory status in South Africa along with the territory of export for commodities such as seeds, feed, and food can result in costly recalls and reputational damage.
In addition to these requirements for GM crops, exporting a non-GM crop to a territory that applies restrictions on GM crop imports, has the same associated risks of nonconformance. GM management practices are valuable to mitigate the risks of possible resource losses.
These include: Applying GM standards to guide the management of non-GMO products. Here it is important to consider the complete supply chain and the impact of cross-contact of GM and non-GM crops; and partnering with an analytical laboratory, with analytical and technical expertise
SciCorp is a biotechnology laboratory with technical expertise in the field of genetically modified organisms of genetically modified organisims, which is registered with DALRRD (Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development) and has SANAS (South African National Accreditation System) ISO 17025 accreditation for GMO testing methods for seed, feed, and food products. SciCorp applies PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) to provide high-throughput and accurate GMO testing services at SciCorp laboratores. With their rush service, they can report GMO test results within 24 hours.
GMO testing services at SciCorp LaboratoriesQualitative and quantitative analysis
SciCorp are authorised to issue certificates stating whether samples are free from GMOs. The first step is to detect whether GM material is present within samples with qualitative analysis. If a positive result is obtained, the amount of GM material in samples can be determined with quantitative analysis.
Event/trait identification and quantification
SciCorp can detect the presence and amounts of specific GM traits or events in samples, the SciCorp team will assist with a list of traits/events tested for at their facilities.
Commodity identification
SciCorp can identify the commodities present in seeds, feed and food, which assists with the identification of cross-contact of commodities.
Trait purity
Sci-Corp can determine the purity of GM traits in samples to assist in confirming successful trait introgression.
Self-testing kits
In partnership with Gold Standard Diagnostics, SciCorp distribute lateral flow kits for their clients to detect GM material in their samples. These tests can be done in-house, with results obtainable within minutes.
Apart from GMO testing, the laboratory provides comprehensive testing services to the agricultural and food industries. These include physical seed testing, molecular plant breeding support, authenticity confirmation, and chemical and food safety analysis.
In addition, SciCorp distributes products to allow their clients to perform testing at their facilities, these include Path-Chek® range for Food Pathogens, LFS for Allergens and Mycotoxins, ELISA & LFS for GMO testing and Anchor germination paper for seed testing.
