Safety assessment of genetically modified crops for yield increase and resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses and their impact on human and environment (original) (raw)
Genetically Modified Crops – A Potential Risk for Sustainable Agriculture
Te concept of sustainability applied to agriculture has developed mainly as a result of growing awareness of negative impacts of intensive agriculture production systems on the environment and the quality of life. Intensive agriculture systems are based on genetically uniform crops which can be susceptible to various diseases and insect pests. Genetically modifed (GM) crops have been developed in an attempt to expedite the process of crop improvement for food quality and solve some of the problems associated with commercial agriculture, including disease and weed management. Te introduction of GM crops into agriculture has opened a great debate about their safety with respect to possible long-term adverse efects on the environment, human health and sustainability of this new agricultural technology. Environmental safety issues focus on the direct or indirect efects of GM crops on non-target organisms and the transfer of GM traits to populations of wild plants via gene fow. Food safety concerns relate to the potential allergenicity of food products. Herbicide tolerant Roundup Ready (RR) soybean is the dominant GM crop occupying 50% of the global biotech area. It is one of seven transgenic soybean lines authorized for the EU market, none of those for cultivation. Te most serious problem for farmers who grow RR soybean is the outbreak of glyphosate-resistant weeds, or “superweeds” which can lead to overuse of selective broad-leaf herbicides or herbicide mixtures.
Biosafety Aspects of Genetically Modified Crops
Genetically Modified Plants and Beyond, 2022
With the advancement in the field of agricultural biotechnology, many genetically modified crops like Bt- cotton, Bt- brinjal have been developed and commercialised to fulfil the need of the world population. Several biosafety concerns viz., risk to human health, risk to environment, ecological concern o has been raised after the rapid commercialization of GM crops every year across the world. As per Convention on biodiversity (CBD), Biosafety is a term used to describe efforts to reduce and eliminate the potential risk resulting from biotechnology and its product. Though many concerns being raised time to time, strict biosafety guideline must be followed before introducing a GM crop in public domain especially in resource poor developing countries.
Biosafety issues related to genetically engineered crops
MOJ Current Research & Reviews
| http://medcraveonline.com protocols/ procedures for India. While designing GM crops, the native species and gene in question needs to be taken into account. GM crops might become agricultural weeds or invade natural habitats if proper risk assessment (RA) is not performed prior to their release. The possible impacts of GM crops are as follows: Weediness and invasiveness One of the potential concerns about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is that they will become agricultural weeds or invade natural habitats, 1 as the traits introduced by GMOs might increase the reproductive success or fitness of the crop, thereby increasing its competitive ability. One conjectural risk is that GMOs will either cause the host species to become invasive or will escape from the original host species or cause other species to become invasive. Ellstrand et al. 2 suggested that new combinations can create genotypes with different and surprising ecological behaviors. Researches have shown that the gene flow from transgenic crop is easy to escape to the weedy relative Brassica campestris. Canola is also capable of cross pollinating with several other weed species including wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and buchan weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides).
Genetically Modified Crops: Resistant To Pest And Environmental Stress: A Review
2024
Genetically modified crops (GMCs) have emerged as a revolutionary force in agriculture, offering promising solutions to address global challenges such as food security, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. The overview of genetically modified crops, encompassing their development, benefits, concerns, and future prospects. Genetically modified crops are created through the incorporation of specific genes from one organism into another to confer desirable traits, such as resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, or enhanced nutritional profiles. The development of GMCs involves advanced biotechnological techniques, including gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 and traditional methods like selective breeding. The benefits of genetically modified crops are multifaceted. Improved yield and crop resilience contribute to increased food production, addressing the growing global population's nutritional needs. Resistance to pests and diseases reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides, promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, some GMCs are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as drought or soil salinity, expanding the range of cultivable land. However, the widespread adoption of genetically modified crops has sparked debates and raised concerns. Environmentalists express apprehension about potential ecological impacts, including the unintentional spread of modified genes to wild plant populations and the development of resistance in target pests. Socioeconomic issues, such as intellectual property rights and corporate control over seeds, have also been contentious topics. To address these concerns, ongoing research focuses on refining the safety assessment protocols for genetically modified crops, implementing responsible and transparent regulatory frameworks, and conducting long-term environmental impact studies. Public awareness and engagement play a crucial role in shaping the ethical, legal, and social aspects surrounding genetically modified crops. Looking ahead, the future of genetically modified crops holds promise for addressing emerging challenges in agriculture. Continued
Assessing ecological aspects of biosafety of genetically modified crops to environment
Acta Agriculturae Serbica, 2013
Biotechnology alongside the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops is constantly providing new opportunities for increasing crop productivity and tackling problems in agriculture, such as diseases, pests and weeds, abiotic stress and nutritional limitations of stopple food crops. Crops possessing new traits enabling the use in pharmaceutical production are also being generated. As GM crops are being introduced into various locations with different ecosystems, agriculture, biodiversity and agriculture practice, a scientifically based understanding of the environmental effects of GM crops cultivation would assist decision markers worldwide in ensuring environmental safety and sustainability. The main important environmental assessment of GM crops deals with their putative invasiveness, vertical and/or horizontal gene flow, effects on biodiversity and the impact on other products. These investigations are all highly interdisciplinary and complex. This paper deals with some of ...
This document provides guidance for the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) plants submitted within the framework of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 on GM food and feed or under Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This document provides guidance for assessing potential effects of GM plants on the environment and the rationales for the data requirements for a comprehensive ERA of GM plants. The ERA should be carried out on a case-by-case basis, following a step-by-step assessment approach. This document describes the six steps for the ERA of GM plants, as indicated in Directive 2001/18/EC, starting with (1) problem formulation including hazard identification; (2) hazard characterisation; (3) exposure characterisation; (4) risk characterisation; (5) risk management strategies; and (6) an overall risk evaluation. The scientific Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA GMO Panel) considers seven specific areas of concern to be addressed by applicants and risk assessors during the ERA (1) persistence and invasiveness of the GM plant , or its compatible relatives, including plant-to-plant gene transfer ; (2) plant-to-microorganism gene transfer; (3) interaction of the GM plant with target organisms and (4) interaction of the GM plant with non-target organisms, including criteria for selection of appropriate species and relevant functional groups for risk assessment; (5) impact of the specific cultivation, management and harvesting techniques; including consideration of the production systems and the receiving environment(s); (6) effects on biogeochemical processes; and (7) effects on human and animal health. Each specific area of concern is considered in a structured and systematic way following the above-mentioned steps (1 to 6). In addition, the guidance document is supplemented with several general cross-cutting considerations (e.g. choice of comparator, receiving environment(s), general statistical principles, long-term effects) that need to be considered in the ERA.
Sustainability, 2023
Genetic transformation has emerged as an important tool for the genetic improvement of valuable plants by incorporating new genes with desirable traits. These strategies are useful especially in crops to increase yields, disease resistance, tolerance to environmental stress (cold, heat, drought, salinity, herbicides, and insects) and increase biomass and medicinal values of plants. The production of healthy plants with more desirable products and yields can contribute to sustainable development goals. The introduction of genetically modified food into the market has raised potential risks. A proper assessment of their impact on the environment and biosafety is an important step before their commercialization. In this paper, we summarize and discuss the risks and benefits of genetically modified plants and products, human health hazards by genetically transformed plants, environmental effects, Biosafety regulations of GMO foods and products, and improvement of medicinal values of plants by the genetic transformation process. The mechanisms of action of those products, their sources, and their applications to the healthcare challenges are presented. The present studies pointed out the existence of several controversies in the use of GMOs, mainly related to the human health, nutritions, environmental issues. Willingness to accept genetically modified (GM) products and the adoption of biosafety regulations varies from country to country. Knowledge about the gene engineering technology, debate between the government agencies, scientist, environmentalist and related NGOs on the GM products are the major factors for low adoptions of biosafety regulation. Therefore, the genetic transformation will help in the advancement of plant species in the future; however, more research and detailed studies are required.
Crop Updates 2009 - Genetically Modified Crops, Nutrition, Soils, & Others
2009
Recommended Citation Cowling, W, Diggle, A, Peek, C, D'Emden, F, Evans, F, French, B, Grima, R, Harburg, S, Hashem, A, Holmes, J, Lemon, J, Newman, P, Paterson, J, Penny, S, Portman, P, Slatter, M, MacLennan, A, Wells, A, Bowden, B, Pluske, W, Chen, W, Anderson, G, Brennan, R, Bell, R, Rigby, H, Pritchard, D, Collins, D, Walton, K, Allen, D, Penney, N, Robertson, M, Lawes, R, Davies, S, Gazey, C, Best, B, Gartner, D, Knight, Q, Andrew, J, Pearce, R, Hoyle, F C, Bennett, A, Llewellyn, R, Flower, K, Krieg, J, Catto, O, and Parsons, C. (2009), Crop Updates 2009 Genetically Modified Crops, Nutrition, Soils, & Others. This session covers seven papers from different authors:, Perth. Conference Proceeding.