Artificially enhanced tolerance to fluoroacetate and its implications for wildlife conservation

Abstract

It is with some concern that we have been following a research programme aimed at developing non-specific, genetically modified ruminant bacteria capable of detoxifying fluoroacetate (Compound 1080) to protect domestic livestock from fluoroacetate-poisoning (Gregg et al. 1994; Gregg et al. 1998; Synergy 1998). The main thrust of this research programme is the prevention of cattle losses in the Georgina Basin in the Northern Territory and Queensland where the toxic plant, Gidgee Acacia georginae occurs. Although rarely mentioned in formal reports of this work, 1080 is an important vertebrate pesticide that is widely used throughout Australia and New Zealand. It is the first defence against a number of pest species that impact on agricultural production and conservation efforts in both countries. The main concerns about this work relate to the potential lack of target specificity of these modified microorganisms, and also, if released, their potential impact on conservation biology. We raise these questions now because the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Council has been approached for approval to conduct field trials in Western Australia using the modified bacteria. We believe the perceived advantages and disadvantages of these modified organisms need informed debate before such approval, or any general release of these modified rumen bacteria, could be considered.