Abstract
Environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) crops is a process to evaluate whether the biotechnology trait(s) in a GM crop may result in increased pest potential or harm to the environment. In this analysis, two GM insect-resistant (IR) herbicide-tolerant maize hybrids (MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-88Ø17-3 and MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-ØØ6Ø3-6) and one herbicide-tolerant GM hybrid (MON-ØØ6Ø3-6) were compared with conventional maize hybrids of similar genetic backgrounds. Two sets of studies, Experimental Phase and Pilot Phase, were conducted across five ecological regions (ecoregions) in Mexico during 2009–2013, and data were subject to meta-analysis. Results from the Experimental Phase studies, which were used for ERA, indicated that the three GM hybrids were not different from conventional maize for early stand count, days-to-silking, days-to-anthesis, root lodging, stalk lodging, or final stand count. Statistically significant differences were observed for seedling vigor, ear height, plant height, grain moisture, and grain yield, particularly in the IR hybrids; however, none of these phenotypic differences are expected to contribute to a biological or ecological change that would result in an increased pest potential or ecological risk when cultivating these GM hybrids. Overall, results from the Experimental Phase studies are consistent with those from other world regions, confirming that there are no additional risks compared to conventional maize. Results from Pilot Phase studies indicated that, compared to conventional maize hybrids, no differences were detected for the agronomic and phenotypic characteristics measured on the three GM maize hybrids, with the exception of grain moisture and grain yield in the IR hybrids. Since MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-88Ø17-3 and MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-ØØ6Ø3-6 confer resistance to target insect pests, they are an alternative for farmers in Mexico to protect the crop from insect damage. Additionally, the herbicide tolerance conferred by all three GM hybrids enables more cost-effective weed management.
Highlights
Mexico’s regulatory framework addresses the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops (Gutierrez 2010)
Plant characterization data generated during the Experimental Phase allow Mexican regulators to assess for unintended effects and the absence of adverse impact of the GM crop on the receiving environment and plant health
The five ecoregions represent a wide range of conditions: an altitude range of 0–2400 meters above sea level; warm to semi-warm climate, with a mean annual temperature range of 17–26 °C; and subhumid to semiarid and very dry conditions with a mean annual rainfall range of 100–1069 mm (Supplementary Table 1)
Summary
Mexico’s regulatory framework addresses the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops (Gutierrez 2010). This framework consists of a Biosafety Law and an additional Bylaw published in 2005 and 2008, respectively (DOF 2005, 2008). Plant characterization data generated during the Experimental Phase allow Mexican regulators to assess for unintended effects and the absence of adverse impact of the GM crop on the receiving environment and plant health. These data facilitate the issuance of planting permits, advancing the regulatory process
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