Genetic elements of GM rice events based on BCH and ISAAA databases: A Review

Abstract

The increasing global use of genetically modified (GM) crops has raised significant concerns regarding biosafety, traceability, and regulatory monitoring, particularly for rice as a staple food crop. This study aimed to analyze genetically modified rice events registered in international biosafety databases, including the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), in order to identify commonly used genetic elements and evaluate their applicability in molecular detection strategies. The results revealed that several functional genes are consistently used in GM rice development, particularly insect resistance genes (cry1Ab and cry1Ac), herbicide tolerance genes (bar and pat), and selectable marker genes such as Hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hpt). In addition, regulatory elements including the Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and the nopaline synthase (NOS) terminator were frequently identified across multiple events. These elements represent conserved components of transformation constructs and are widely utilized in PCR-based GMO detection. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that only a limited number of GM rice events currently retain valid international regulatory approvals, primarily for food and feed use. The recurrence of specific genetic elements among these events provides a practical basis for developing efficient screening strategies. A stepwise molecular detection approach based on common regulatory elements followed by event-specific confirmation is proposed as an effective framework for GMO identification. This study highlights the importance of integrating biosafety database information with molecular detection tools to enhance the monitoring of genetically modified rice in food systems. The findings provide valuable insights for regulatory authorities and research laboratories in designing reliable and cost-effective GMO detection protocols.