The ecological risks of engineered crops

Abstract

Part 1 Introduction: genetic engineering versus traditional breeding a new empirical approach to risk assessment road map to the text. Part 2 Understanding transgenic crops: what are transgenic plants? transgenic plants are being commercialized a realistic look at plant biotechnology feeding the world biotechnology and the future of agriculture the environmental risks of transgenic crops field tests tell little about commercial-scale risk risks are global. Part 3 Environmental risks posed by transgenic crops: potential adverse impacts of transgenic crops potential adverse impacts of transgene flow to other plants risks to plants from transgenic virus-resistant crops unknown risks. Part 4 Two risk scenarios - an experimental assessment: assessing the potential for transgenic crops to become weeds assessing the potential for transgene flow to produce weeds assessing virus resistance and other aspects of weediness. Part 5 International implications of commercialization: a global seed trade means global risks U.S. approval of a transgenic crop does not ensure global safety teosinte and corn - a cautionary tale. Part 6 Conclusions and recommendations: the need for regulation the role of the public recommendations. Appendix - experimental assessment of the replacement capacity of a population of plants.