The release of genetically modified crops into the environment. Part I. Overview of current status and regulations (original) (raw)
Related papers
The release of genetically modified crops into the environment
The Plant Journal, 2003
In the past 6 years, the global area of commercially grown, genetically modified (GM) crops has increased more than 30-fold to over 52 million hectares. The number of countries involved has more than doubled. Especially in developing countries, the GM crop area is anticipated to increase rapidly in the coming years. Despite this high adoption rate and future promises, there is a multitude of concerns about the impact of GM crops on the environment. Regulatory approaches in Europe and North America are essentially different. In the EU, it is based on the process of making GM crops; in the US, on the characteristics of the GM product. Many other countries are in the process of establishing regulation based on either system or a mixture. Despite these differences, the information required for risk assessment tends to be similar. Each risk assessment considers the possibility, probability and consequence of harm on a case-by-case basis. For GM crops, the impact of non-use should be added to this evaluation. It is important that the regulation of risk should not turn into the risk of regulation. The best and most appropriate baseline for comparison when performing risk assessment on GM crops is the impact of plants developed by traditional breeding. The latter is an integral and accepted part of agriculture.
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.
Genetically modified crops: success, safety assessment, and public concern
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2006
With the emergence of transgenic technologies, new ways to improve the agronomic performance of crops for food, feed, and processing applications have been devised. In addition, ability to express foreign genes using transgenic technologies has opened up options for producing large quantities of commercially important industrial or pharmaceutical products in plants. Despite this high adoption rate and future promises, there is a multitude of concerns about the impact of genetically modified (GM) crops on the environment. Potential contamination of the environment and food chains has prompted detailed consideration of how such crops and the molecules that they produce can be effectively isolated and contained. One of the reasonable steps after creating a transgenic plant is to evaluate its potential benefits and risks to the environment and these should be compared to those generated by traditional agricultural practices. The precautionary approach in risk management of GM plants may make it necessary to monitor significant wild and weed populations that might be affected by transgene escape. Effective risk assessment and monitoring mechanisms are the basic prerequisites of any legal framework to adequately address the risks and watch out for new risks. Several agencies in different countries monitor the release of GM organisms or frame guidelines for the appropriate application of recombinant organisms in agro-industries so as to assure the safe use of recombinant organisms and to achieve sound overall development. We feel that it is important to establish an internationally harmonized framework for the safe handling of recombinant DNA organisms within a few years.
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.
Risk assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
African Journal of Biotechnology, 2011
EFSA's remit in the risk assessment of GMOs is very broad encompassing genetically modified plants, microorganisms and animals and assessing their safety for humans, animals and the environment. The legal frame for GMOs is set by Directive 2001/18/EC on their release into the environment, and Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on GM food and feed. The main focus of EFSA's GMO Panel and GMO Unit lies in the evaluation of the scientific risk assessment of new applications for market authorisation of GMOs, and in the development of corresponding guidelines for the applicants. The EFSA GMO Panel has elaborated comprehensive guidance documents on GM plants, GM microorganisms and GM animals, as well as on specific aspects of risk assessment such as the selection of comparators. EFSA also provides special scientific advice upon request of the European Commission; examples are post-market environmental monitoring of GMOs, and consideration of potential risks of new plant breeding techniques. The GMO Panel regularly reviews its guidance documents in the light of experience gained with the evaluation of applications, technological progress in breeding technologies and scientific developments in the diverse areas of risk assessment.
Modern Management Review, 2014
The present paper aims to review and discuss potential and existing risks of GM crops to the environment, in comparison with organic and conventional agriculture. The review of over 30 relevant papers on the environmental effects of modern agriculture allowed us to define five main sources of risks, namely: 1) Pollution by synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, 2) Exploitation of marginal lands and protection of natural habitats, 3) Gene flow, invasiveness and "superweeds", 4) Impact on non-target species, particularly pollinators, 5) Biodiversity of crops and wildlife. Although these effects are typically considered with respect to GM crops, the paper compares them with conventional and organic systems. The review shows that each factor, except for the "Gene flow, invasiveness and superweeds" (which is a risk specific to GM crops), may have positive and negative effect dependent on the breeding method. For example, conventional crops require the use of a large amount of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, unlike organic crops, while GM agriculture reduces the use of pesticides. Moreover, some risks typically associated with transgenic crops, i.e. decrease of genetic biodiversity, may also arise from conventional agriculture. The paper concludes that there is no perfect agricultural option and trade-offs are needed to satisfy the need for sustainability.
The Risks and Benefits of Genetically Modified Crops: A Multidisciplinary Perspective
Conservation Ecology, 2000
2000. The risks and benefits of genetically modified crops: a multidisciplinary perspective. Conservation Ecology 4(1): 13. [online] Abstract Introduction Biotechnology and Agriculture Assessing the Risks and Benefits of Genetically Modified Crops Comparison to introduced species Scale and type of impacts Weighing risks and benefits Regulating risks Reforming agriculture Public Dialogue and Science Conclusions Responses to this Article Literature Cited
Assessing ecological risks and benefits of genetically modified crops
Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade, 2010
Genetically modified (GM) crops and biotechnology are providing new opportunities for increasing crop productivity and tackling agriculture problems, such as diseases, pests and weeds, abiotic stress and nutritional limitations of staple food crops. As GM crops are being adopted in various locations with different ecosystems, a scientifically based understanding of the environmental effects of cultivations of GM crops would assist decision makers worldwide in ensuring environmental safety and sustainability. In this paper are discussed some of the most important problems related to the GM crops into the environment such as: plant protection, hybridisation, ecological effects of HRCs, gene flow, biodiversity, stress, ecological risks (ERA), effects on the soil ecosystem etc.