A scientific advisory panel to the US Environmental Protection Agency has found that there is a "medium likelihood" that the genetically-engineered StarLink corn is a potential food allergen, the Financial Times reports today. The panel added that there was a low probability of allergic reactions among individuals who ate the corn, given the low levels in US diets. It noted children may be more sensitive than adults, and suggested a study of infant diets be given high priority. It also recommended a study of people who claim to have suffered adverse effect from eating the corn as "the highest priority". StarLink, developed by France's Aventis, has only been approved for animal consumption in the US because of questions over allergic reactions in humans.
