Book of Abstracts
11th IFOAM
Scientific Conference
11-15 August 1996
Copenhagen, Denmark
Abstract front
page
Subject index
Athor index
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Symposia
Risks of transgenic crops and biocontrol organisms S10
Rissler, J.
Union of Concerned Scientists, 1616 P St., NW, Washington, DC 20036 USA |
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| Thirteen genetically engineered crops and three
engineered biocontrol agents have been approved for commercialization in the United
States. Dozens of transgenic agricultural biotechnology products are being tested in
hundreds of field trials, including the first engineered invertebrate control agents, a
nematode and a mite. The ecological risks of genetically engineered organisms are best
understood in light of our experiences with releases of exotic species. Many will be
harmless; a few may cause serious problems. Commercial-scale use of transgenic plants have
the potential to cause several kinds of ecological risks. Some crops, engineered to
contain new biologically advantageous genes, may themselves become weeds persisting
infarmers' fields or invading wildlife habitats. Genes flowing from transgenic crops to
wild relatives may become established in wild populations, create new weeds that may be
more difficult to control, impact natural ecosystems, and harm centers of crop diversity.
Widespread use of virus-resistant crops may lead to the development of new viral strains
that may cause virus diseases in crops and wild plants. Insecticidal Bt crops may
accelerate the evolution of resistance to Bt in insect pests, rendering Bt an ineffective
biological control agent. Engineered invertebrates released to the environment potentially
pose significant ecological risks because they typically reproduce rapidly and in great
numbers; they play a variety of ecological roles, such as pests and beneficial predators
and parasites; many are quite small and move considerable distances; and most may be
difficult to control once released. |