RNAi转基因作物安全评价研究进展

在秀丽隐杆线虫中首次发现双链RNA(dsRNA)能特异性地导致基因沉默(RNAi)现象后,人们开始大量地研究RNAi技术,并将其应用于功能基因的研究,来提高作物的抗性和改良遗传育种等。本文详细介绍了RNAi的技术原理,并且对RNAi技术与传统转基因技术的区别进行分析,阐述了该技术具有重要的生物学意义,以及在农作物害虫防治领域的占据独特优势。基于RNAi技术存在的潜在脱靶效应,从改良植物、靶标生物和生态环境的3个方面具体分析该技术可能存在的风险,为RNAi技术的风险评估提供参考。由于RNAi技术仍存在风险,为了维护生态多样性和保障人们的人身安全,应尽快建立起符合实际需求的安全性评价方法,本文针对RNAi转基因作物的环境安全和食用安全2个方面的评估方案进行概述。RNAi技术对减少害虫数量、提高水稻产量、降低种植成本以及减少化学农药污染、促进农业可持续发展来说具有重要意义,但该技术仍存在风险,需要进一步监管和研究,建立完善的生态评价系统,让RNAi技术在农业生产上发挥作用。

Discussion on safety evaluation of RNAi transgenic crops

With the discovery that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) could result in gene silencing (RNA interference, RNAi) in Caenorhabditis elegans, scientists began to exploit this RNAi technology for the study of gene functions, in order to improve crop resistances and genetic breeding. In this paper, the principle of RNAi technology is introduced, and the differences between the RNAi and traditional transgenic technology are discussed. Based on the potential miss-target effect of RNAi technology, we analyzed the potential risks of RNAi technology from improving plants, target organisms and ecological environment, which provided reference for risk assessment of RNAi technology. Because there are still risks in RNAi technology, in order to maintain ecological diversity and safeguard people''s personal safety, we should establish a safety evaluation method. Therefore, we summarize the evaluation schemes of environmental safety and food safety of RNAi genetically modified crops. RNAi technology may play an important role in reducing pest densities, increasing rice yield, reducing planting costs, reducing chemical pesticide pollution. However, there are still risks in this technology. Further supervision and research are needed to establish a sound ecological evaluation system so that RNAi technology can play a role in agricultural production.