<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Introduced DNA</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Southern blot and segregation analysis of the genomic DNA from the original transformation event 23 indicated the presence of at least 15 copies of the bay TE gene, inserted at five independent loci.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Genetic Stability of the Introduced Trait</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Lines 23-198 and 23-18-17 were several generations removed from the original transformant 23 and comparisons of the original transformant with third-generation material showed that the introduced genes were stably inserted and stably inherited. It was anticipated that due to the high copy number of the bay TE gene, some copies would segregate out and that the lines may not be homogeneous for the number of copies present.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Expressed Material</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The bay TE gene is linked to a seed specific promoter limiting expression to developing seed embryos. The bay TE gene encodes a 382 amino acid long preprotein that is transported to the stroma of plastids where a 60 amino acid transit peptide is removed to produce the mature Bay TE enzyme. Using Western blot analysis, the expression of Bay TE was monitored over the seed maturation process and was detectable only in seeds samples at mid-maturity at a level of 0.015% of the total protein. Dry seeds and any other plant parts have immunologically undetectable levels of the enzyme. The NTPII encoding gene was linked to a strong constitutive promoter and expression of the protein was detected in seeds and other tissues of transgenic canola. Its presence was judged to be insignificant with respect to any human health risk.</p>
