Transgene escape: what potential for crop–wild hybridization?

To date, regional surveys assessing the risk of transgene escape from GM crops have focused on records of spontaneous hybridization to infer the likelihood of crop transgene escape. However, reliable observations of spontaneous hybridization are lacking for most floras, particularly outside Europe. Here, we argue that evidence of interspecific reproductive compatibility derived from experimental crosses is an important component of risk assessment, and a useful first step especially where data from field observations are unavailable. We used this approach to assess the potential for transgene escape via hybridization for 123 widely grown temperate crops and their indigenous and naturalized relatives present in the New Zealand flora. We found that 66 crops (54%) are reproductively compatible with at least one other indigenous or naturalized species in the flora. Limited reproductive compatibility with wild relatives was evident for a further 12 crops (10%). Twenty-five crops (20%) were found to be reproductively isolated from all their wild relatives in New Zealand. For the remaining 20 crops (16%), insufficient information was available to determine levels of reproductive compatibility with wild relatives. Our approach may be useful in other regions where spontaneous crop-wild hybridization has yet to be well documented.     

Unsuccessful search for DNA transfer from transgenic plants to bacteria in the intestine of the tobacco horn worm, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Manduca sexta</Emphasis>

DNA transfer from transgenic plants to native intestinal bacteria and introduced Acinetobacter BD413 was assessed in the gut of the tobacco horn worm (Manduca sexta). The marker was kanamycin resistance gene (nptII), and tobacco carrying the nptII gene in the chloroplasts served as the donor. We detected neither whole gene transfer to native bacteria, nor transfer of fragments of nptII to Acinetobacter, using a marker exchange assay. This negative result was attributed to a heat-labile activity that degraded DNA in the feces, probably DNAase. Nevertheless, a few intact leaf cells survived transit through the gut, and DNA extracted from feces did transform Acinetobacter, albeit at lower frequencies than DNA extracted from leaves.     

Safety aspects of insect cell culture

Conclusions The hazards posed to the environment by the accidental release of baculovirus expression vectors can be put into perspective by the results obtained from experiments in which AcNPV was released deliberately into the field (Bishop et al., 1992). Polyhedrin positive viruses will persist in soil and on leaf surfaces for periods comprising weeks and months. However, polyhedrin negative viruses (similar to those used as expression vectors) do not survive in similar situations. In consequence, accidental release of baculovirus expression vectors poses negligible hazard. The risk of such a release will largely depend on the skill of the operators. This does not take into account the hazard posed by the recombinant product which is being made by the virus-infected insect cell. Synthesis of a mammalian-specific toxin, of course, would require particularly careful manipulation of the virus-infected cell culture.The fact that insect cell lines represent an undefined risk, in terms of carriage of adventitious agents means that their containment should be maintained at a minimum of the European containment level 2. Where the tissue of origin has a high risk of infection with human pathogens or where cells may have been used in a virus culture laboratory then appropriate testing is advisable. Careful risk assessment respecting the scale of work and whole procedures (in addition to individual assessment of agents and reagents) will ensure safe working conditions for laboratory staff. If applied properly safety procedures will also succeed in encouraging clean, efficient and well documented work procedures which are synonymous with the economical use of time and resources and good science.     

经遗传修饰生物体的研究进展及其释放后对环境的影响

８０年代以来,以基因工程为代表的生物技术突飞猛进。转移不同性状的转基因作物在美国被批准进入大田试验的有４０个以上的作物,包括小麦、玉米和水稻等４种谷类粮食作物,主要的纤维作物棉花,蔬菜种类１０种以上,水果９种,其它还有油料作物,牧草和花卉等。到１９９６年６月已被批准进入市场的已有１８种,还有一批有待批准商业化。今年２月,美国农业部已第一次批准一种喂饲其它螨的转基因螨进入大田试验。第一个转基因线虫也正在申请向环境释放。已至少有２５个发展中国家,１０个以上作物转基因成功,ＧＭＯｓ作大田释放的总数在１６０次以上。基因工程能带来巨大的经济效益和社会效益。但是有不少数量的科学家或如“有关科学家联盟”等一些非政府组织指出基因工程的产物向环境释放会可能带来生态或环境危险。发达国家中,美国与欧洲国家的政府对ＧＭＯｓ批准释放的态度也是一样的,后者要比前者慎重得多。最近丹麦科学家已证实转基因油菜中的抗除草剂基因已经转入杂草中;由美国一种子公司开发的转基因大豆被证实对人体过敏而其产品决定不向市场投放。要有充分的科学实验,自然科学家与社会科学家相结合,对经遗传修饰生物体可能带来巨大经济效益和造成环境或生态危机进行充分的评估。在这基础上作出权衡,供政府决策者能作出正确的决策。这不仅在中国而是在全世界范围内已到了一个关键时刻。因此,生物安全问题是每次《生物多样性公约》缔约国会议的主要讨论议题。     

The development and status of Bt rice in China

Multiple lines of transgenic rice expressing insecticidal genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been developed in China, posing the prospect of increases in production with decreased application of pesticides. We explore the issues facing adoption of Bt rice for commercial production in China. A body of safety assessment work on Bt rice has shown that Bt rice poses a negligible risk to the environment and that Bt rice products are as safe as non‐Bt control rice products as food. China has a relatively well‐developed regulatory system for risk assessment and management of genetically modified (GM) plants; however, decision‐making regarding approval of commercial production has become politicized, and two Bt rice lines that otherwise were ready have not been allowed to enter the Chinese agricultural system. We predict that Chinese farmers would value the prospect of increased yield with decreased use of pesticide and would readily adopt production of Bt rice. That Bt rice lines may not be commercialized in the near future we attribute to social pressures, largely due to the low level of understanding and acceptance of GM crops by Chinese consumers. Hence, enhancing communication of GM crop science‐related issues to the public is an important, unmet need. While the dynamics of each issue are particular to China, they typify those in many countries where adoption of GM crops has been not been rapid; hence, the assessment of these dynamics might inform resolution of these issues in other countries.     

环糊精在上市医药产品中的应用研究进展

环糊精是一类重要的药用高分子材料,通过与药物形成包合物结构而实现提高难溶性药物溶解性、增强药物稳定性、改善药物生 物利用度等目的。结合天然及改性环糊精的性质特点、体内代谢及生物安全性等信息,归纳了环糊精在已上市医药产品中的研究及应用, 为环糊精领域相关制剂的临床研究及产业化提供一定的参考。     

生态风险研究述评

生态风险(ＥｃｏｌｏｇｉｃａｌＲｉｓｋ,ＥＲ),指一个种群、生态系统或整个景观的正常功能受外界胁迫,从而在目前和将来减小该系统健康、生产力、遗传结构、经济价值和美学价值的一种状况[20]。生态风险评估(ＥｃｏｌｏｇｉｃａｌＲｉｓｋＡｓｓｅｓｓｍｅｎｔ,ＥＲＡ)指受一个或多个胁迫因素影响后,对不利的生态后果出现的可能性进行的评估。美国环保局(ＥＰＡ)把这种尚不为人们所重视的领域叫做生态风险评估[20,48]。随着新技术和新方法的应用,ＥＲＡ的研究领域迅速扩展。早期的生态风险评估主要是针对人类健康而言的,也就是人类健康风险…     

转基因作物的利弊分析

1995年后转基因作物的商品化种植迅猛发展.优良的农艺性状和巨大的经济效益,日益显示出转基因作物是解决21世纪不断膨胀人口对食物需求的主要途径之一.转基因作物的潜在生态风险及对人体健康影响的争论随着转基因作物的商品化也日趋尖锐.为保护转基因作物知识产权发展起来的"终止子技术"引起第三世界国家的强烈反对.<生物多样性公约>缔约国对生物安全有关问题斗争激烈,迟迟达不成协议.围绕转基因作物的斗争已不仅是科学技术之争,已发展到经济领域,甚至政治领域的斗争.本文对转基因作物的发展与生物安全的研究提出几点建议.     

Non-target plant testing of the flea beetle Agasicles hygrophila,a biological control agent for Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligatorweed) in China

Non-target plant selection tests using 20 representative species showed that Agasicles hygrophila could feed on Alternanthera sessilis, but the mature larvae did not pupate successfully. A. hygrophila could not complete their life cycle on the other plant species tested. Thus, A. hygrophila is safe for controlling Alternanthera philoxeroides in China.     

转基因水稻外源基因向近缘种群漂流和渐渗的研究进展

水稻是我国最重要的粮食作物之一,我国有8亿以上的人口以稻米作为主食。但在水稻生产中,由于病、虫、草害及不良气候等逆境因子的影响,严重制约了水稻的高产、稳产。转基因生物技术的迅速发展,为水稻抗性育种提供了新途径。自20世纪80年代以来,我国全方位地开展了转基因水稻的研发,目前已经培育出大量的抗病、抗虫、抗除草剂和抗逆的转基因水稻品种,这将为提高我国水稻的生产力和确保粮食安全做出重要的贡献。但转基因水稻的基因漂流及其可能带来的生物安全问题备受关注。已有报道证明,外源转基因可以通过异交向非转基因品种和野生近缘种漂流。在不同的试验条件下,抗除草剂基因有0．05％-0．53％逃逸的可能,其向不育系的最大漂移频率可达4．518％。抗虫基因向相邻非转基因水稻的平均漂移频率最高为0．875％。因此,本文对水稻与其近缘野生种的杂交情况,转基因水稻外源基因向非转基因品种、野生近缘种以及野生非近缘种的漂流和渐渗及其潜在的生态环境风险等方面进行了简要分析,并对转基因水稻的发展进行了展望,以期为转基因水稻的安全应用提供参考。