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GM Science Review - Forum

Name: Gene Watch UK Location: Derbyshire Date: 17/12/02
Topic 1: Geneflow Topic 2: Topic 3:
Title:
Gene flow, detection and impact
Full comment:

In addition to the questions identified in this topic outline, GeneWatch believes the following should also be included:

  • What are the implications of gene flow from GM plants to native related plants in terms of conservation of species and populations and sub-populations in terms of their genetic identity? This question needs to be considered over a long time frame.
  • What information systems will be needed to facilitate gene flow detection systems? How should the choice of gene sequence(s) to test for be made if the numbers and diversity of constructs increases? Should sequences from GMOs in trials be included in databases given the scale on which many GM crops are grown under experimental licenses both in Europe, the US and the rest of the world? Should there be special screening for constructs from plants genetically modified to produce biologically active compounds for use in therapeutics and diagnostics?
  • What are the key uncertainties that prevent accurate prediction of gene flow and its consequences?
  • What environmental monitoring systems should be used to detect gene flow within a time scale that it may be possible to mitigate any adverse impacts?
  • What are the agronomic consequences of gene flow? What have been the experiences in other countries and how well have management systems worked at containing the evolution of herbicide tolerant oilseed rape volunteers in Canada?
  • If non-GM seed supplies have low levels of contamination with GM, how could this spread and what agronomic and environmental consequences might arise?

Literature and other sources that GeneWatch believes should form part of the assessment includes:

  • Linder, C.R. (1998) Potential persistence of transgenes: seed performance of transgenic canola and wild x canola hybrids. Ecological Applications 8: 1180-1195.
  • Reiger, M.A. et al (2002) Pollen-mediated movement of herbicide resistance between commercial canola fields. Science 296: 2386-2388.
  • European Environment Agency (2002) Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): the significance of gene flow through pollen transfer. EEA: Copenhagen.
  • Scenarios for co-existence of genetically modified, conventional and organic crops in European agriculture. Joint Research Centre, European Commission, May 2002.
  • Desplnaque, B. et al., (2002) Transgenic weed beets: possible, probable, avoidable? Journal of Applied Ecology 39: 561-571.
  • Quist, D, & Chapela, I.H. (2001)Transgenic DNA introgressed into traditional maize landraces in Oaxaca, Mexico. Nature 414:541-543.
  • Orson, J. (2002) Gene stacking in herbicide tolerant oilseed rape: lessons from the North American experience. English Nature Research Report No.443. English Nature: Peterborough.
  • Bartsch, D et al. (1999) Impact of gene flow from cultivated beet on genetic diversity of wild sea beet populations. Molecular Ecology 8: 1733-1741.
  • Genes passed from crops to weeds persist for generations. Ohio State University Press release. 9th August 2001.
  • Weeds do well out of modified crops. New Scientist Vol 175, issue 2356, p11, 2002
  • Keep your distance. New Scientist Vol 172, issue 2318, p 14, 2001.
  • Submissions by English Nature dated April 2001 (MAFF consultation on adventitious presence of GM seeds in seed of conventional varieties) and August 2002 (DEFRA consultation on Commission proposals on thresholds for the adventitious presence of approved GMOs in seeds).
  • BBC Newsnight 25th June 2002. Weeds fight back.
  • USDA press release - destruction of soybean because of GM maize contamination. www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/press/2002/11/prodigene.html
  • 14th November, 2002. Soil Association Press Release. GM contamination of organic animal feed.
  • Downey, R.K. (1999) Gene flow and rape - the Canadian experience. 1999 BCPC Symposium Proceedings No. 72: Gene flow and agriculture: relevance for transgenic crops. British Crop Protection Council: Farnham
  • Hall, L., Topinka, K., Huffman, J., Davis, L. & Good, A. (2000) Pollen flow between herbicide-resistant Brassica napus is the cause of multiple-resistant B.napus volunteers. Weed Science 48: 688-694.
  • Beckie, H.J., Hall, L.M. & Warwick, S.I. (2001) Impact of herbicide-resistant crops as weeds in Canada. Proceedings Brighton Crop Protection Council - Weeds pp 135-142.
  • Outcrossing Between Canola Varieties - A Volunteer Canola Control Issue. www.agric.gov.ab.ca/crops/canola/outcrossing.html

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