A review of animal models used to evaluate potential allergenicity of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Food safety regulators request prediction of allergenicity for newly expressed proteins in genetically modified (GM) crops and in novel foods. Some have suggested using animal models to assess potential allergenicity. A variety of animal models have been used in research to evaluate sensitisation or elicitation of allergic responses. However, protocols for sensitisation and challenge, animal species and strains, diets and other environmental factors differ widely. We present a comprehensive review of published, peer-reviewed experimental animal models used for the evaluation of allergenicity of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).