Ecological Risk Assessment and Regulation for Genetically-Modified Ornamental Plants

Classic plant breeding has increased the beauty and utility of ornamental plants, but biotechnology can offer completely new traits for plants used in homes and gardens. The creation of blue petal color in carnations and roses are examples where biotechnology has created novelty that conventional hybridization cannot match. However, all innovations have benefits and risks, and future commercialization of transgenic ornamental plants raises complex questions about potential negative impacts to managed landscapes and natural ecosystems. Predictive ecological risk assessment is a process that uses current knowledge to estimate future environmental harms or benefits arising from direct or indirect exposure to a genetically-modified (GM) plant, its genes, or gene products. This article considers GM ornamental plants in the context of current ecological risk assessment principles, research results, and current regulatory frameworks. The use of ecological risk assessment by government agencies to support decision-making is reviewed in the context of ornamental plants. Government risk assessments have usually emphasized the potential for pollen-mediated gene flow, weediness in managed areas, invasion of natural areas, and direct harm to nontarget organisms. Some of the major challenges for predictive risk assessment include characterizing gene flow over time and space, plant fitness in changing environments, and impacts to nontarget organisms, communities and ecosystems. The lack of baseline information about the ecology and biodiversity of urban areas, gardens, and natural ecosystems limits the ability to predict potential hazards, identify exposure pathways, and design hypothesis-driven research. The legacy of introduced ornamental plants as invasive species generates special concern about future invasions, especially for GM plants that exhibit increased stress tolerance or adaptability. While ecological risk assessments are a valuable tool and have helped harmonize regulation of GM plants, they do not define the acceptable level of risk or uncertainty. That responsibility belongs to regulators, stakeholders and citizens.     

Transformation of Acinetobacter sp. BD413 with DNA from commercially available genetically modified potato and papaya

AIM: To estimate the likelihood of transfer of kanamycin-resistance gene (nptII) from commercially available genetically modified (GM) plants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Acinetobacter sp. BD413 carrying a plasmid containing an inactivated nptII gene was treated with DNA derived from GM potato and GM papaya. Kanamycin-resistant transformants were obtained at a frequency of 10-30 microg(-1) DNA. Calculation of the results suggested that 6-9 x 10(4) molecules of genomic DNA from GM plants were needed to obtain one transformant. However, such transformation events were not detectable in the absence of the plasmid in the host strain. CONCLUSIONS: Acinetobacter sp. BD413 was transformed with DNA derived from GM potato and GM papaya, in the presence of an inactivated nptII gene on a plasmid. However, the frequency of such events in the natural environment on wild-type strains, while evidently low, remains unknown. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our results may help to evaluate potential risks associated with the use of antibiotic-resistance determinants as genetic markers in GM plants. Complete risk assessment must consider factors other than transformation frequency alone, including the natural background of antibiotic resistance present in bacterial populations, and the spectrum and clinical use of the antimicrobial agents in question.     

Illegal gene flow from transgenic creeping bentgrass: the saga continues

Ecologists have paid close attention to environmental effects that fitness‐enhancing transgenes might have following crop‐to‐wild gene flow (e.g. Snow et al. 2003 ). For some crops, gene flow also can lead to legal problems, especially when government agencies have not approved transgenic events for unrestricted environmental release. Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), a common turfgrass used in golf courses, is the focus of both areas of concern. In 2002, prior to expected deregulation (still pending), The Scotts Company planted creeping bentgrass with transgenic resistance to the herbicide glyphosate, also known as RoundUp^®, on 162 ha in a designated control area in central Oregon ( Fig. 1 ). Despite efforts to restrict gene flow, wind‐dispersed pollen carried transgenes to florets of local A. stolonifera and A. gigantea as far as 14 km away, and to sentinel plants placed as far as 21 km away ( Watrud et al. 2004 ). Then, in August 2003, a strong wind event moved transgenic seeds from windrows of cut bentgrass into nearby areas. The company’s efforts to kill all transgenic survivors in the area failed: feral glyphosate‐resistant populations of A. stolonifera were found by Reichman et al. (2006) , and 62% of 585 bentgrass plants had the telltale CP4 EPSPS transgene in 2006 ( Zapiola et al. 2008 ; Fig. 2 ). Now, in this issue, the story gets even more interesting as Zapiola & Mallory‐Smith (2012) describe a transgenic, intergeneric hybrid produced on a feral, transgenic creeping bentgrass plant that received pollen from Polypogon monspeliensis (rabbitfoot grass). Their finding raises a host of new questions about the prevalence and fitness of intergeneric hybrids, as well as how to evaluate the full extent of gene flow from transgenic crops.

Figure 1 Open in figure viewer PowerPoint Creeping bentgrass and rabbitfoot grass occur along canals and irrigation ditches within the designated control area near Madras, Oregon. Photo courtesy of M. L. Zapiola.     

转基因农作物检测技术及其应用与发展

常用的转基因检测方法可分为两个方向,一是以检测外源基因为目标,如多聚酶链式反应分析法(PCR),二是以检测外源蛋白为目标,如酶联免疫分析法(ELISA)。此外,近年来,随着世界各国对转基因生物安全问题的日益关注,还涌现出了一批新的检测方法,如微阵列分析法(microarray),色谱分析法(chroma-tography),表面等离子共振(surfaceplasmonresonance,SPR)生物传感器分析法以及近红外线光谱分析法(nearinfraredspectroscopy,NIR)等。将对各种转基因检测方法的原理、特点及研究现状做一个扼要介绍。     

关于加强我国生物安全工作若干问题的思考

随着现代化生物技术,特别是基因工程技术的兴起和迅速发展,生物安全问题农渐成为全球社会普遍关注的热点,它既是一个科学问题,又是一个管理问题,需要从健全法律法规体系,理顺管理机构体系,支持鼓励科学研究,重视科学宣传普及,加强相关国际合作等方面,大力加强我国的生物安全工作,达到保障安全,促进发展的目标。     

Genetically modified organisms and risks of their introduction

The major goal of this review is to assess food risks of the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops. The author analyzes the properties of the several classes of target proteins used in the transgenic constructions and discusses the problems that arise due to the pleiotropic action of transgenic proteins, the horizontal transfer of the transgenic constructions, primarily in bacteria, and their instability. Particular consideration is given to elevated risks of using the GM plant varieties for producing pharmaceutical preparations, due to the probability of uncontrolled cross-pollination between the GM plants and the plants grown for foodstuff production. The author emphasizes the requirement for assessing in detail all hypothetic risks in each particular case of cultivating GM varieties; as a control, such assessment must involve a comprehensive comparison with the conventional parental forms.Translated from Fiziologiya Rastenii, Vol. 52, No. 1, 2005, pp. 115–128.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kulikov.     

出入境转基因产品及其分子检测现状与展望

随着转基因产品在全球的迅速推广,包括我国在内的很多国家都建立了转基因标识制度。各检验检疫口岸应转基因产品生产企业、食品制造商、消费者等多方面需要,相继开展了转基因产品的检测工作。准确可靠的转基因产品检测技术是各国检疫检疫单位的共同需求。转基因产品的检测主要有两大类方法,一类是DNA水平上的检测,另一类是蛋白质水平上的检测。多个发达国家也相继成立专门机构或部门,负责转基因产品生物检测技术标准化工作。国际上对转基因产品的检测工作有向委托鉴定方向发展的趋势。我们简要综述了出入境转基因产品及其分子检测现状。     

Do escaped transgenes persist in nature? The case of an herbicide resistance transgene in a weedy Brassica rapa population

The existence of transgenic hybrids resulting from transgene escape from genetically modified (GM) crops to wild or weedy relatives is well documented but the fate of the transgene over time in recipient wild species populations is still relatively unknown. This is the first report of the persistence and apparent introgression, i.e. stable incorporation of genes from one differentiated gene pool into another, of an herbicide resistance transgene from Brassica napus into the gene pool of its weedy relative, Brassica rapa , monitored under natural commercial field conditions. Hybridization between glyphosate-resistant [herbicide resistance (HR)] B. napus and B. rapa was first observed at two Québec sites, Ste Agathe and St Henri, in 2001. B. rapa populations at these two locations were monitored in 2002, 2003 and 2005 for the presence of hybrids and transgene persistence. Hybrid numbers decreased over the 3-year period, from 85 out of ~200 plants surveyed in 2002 to only five out of 200 plants in 2005 (St Henri site). Most hybrids had the HR trait, reduced male fertility, intermediate genome structure, and presence of both species-specific amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Both F₁ and backcross hybrid generations were detected. One introgressed individual, i.e. with the HR trait and diploid ploidy level of B. rapa, was observed in 2005. The latter had reduced pollen viability but produced ~480 seeds. Forty-eight of the 50 progeny grown from this plant were diploid with high pollen viability and 22 had the transgene (1:1 segregation). These observations confirm the persistence of the HR trait over time. Persistence occurred over a 6-year period, in the absence of herbicide selection pressure (with the exception of possible exposure to glyphosate in 2002), and in spite of the fitness cost associated with hybridization.     

遗传修饰生物体(GMOs)生态风险的监测

遗传修饰生物体(GMOs)释放的生态学风险往往要在相当长的时期内才表现出来,因而必须对其进行长期监测。监测的内容和方法依对象的不同而有所不同。在短期和长期监测中,数学模型具有重要的作用。本文就监测的内容、原则和方法进行了全面的论述。     

转基因产品成分检测技术研究进展

近年来随着转基因作物的大规模商业化种植以及转基因研发技术的不断发展;抗病、抗虫、耐除草剂、抗逆境和高产优质等转基因产品越来越多;应用也越来越广泛。转基因产品给人们带来便利和经济利益的同时;也带来了安全性问题的争议。为加强对转基因产品的管理;发展转基因产品成分检测技术尤为重要。目前;转基因产品的检测技术主要分为两类:一是基于外源核酸的检测技术;主要包括定性PCR技术、定量PCR技术、等温扩增技术和基因芯片技术等;二是基于外源蛋白的检测技术;主要包括酶联免疫吸附技术、Western blot检测技术和试纸条技术等。每种检测技术都有其优缺点和适用范围;在实际检测过程中;应根据检测的需要并结合转基因产品的类型和特点;选择最有效的检测技术或组合来满足检测的目的。就两类方法中主要检测技术的原理、优缺点和研究进展进行了简要概述;并就转基因检测技术的发展方向进行了总结和展望;旨在促进我国转基因检测技术更好地适应当前转基因领域的发展。     

Gene transfer technology in aquaculture

The gene transfer technique, transgenesis, has permitted the transfer of genes from one organism to another to create new lineages of organisms with improvement in traits important to aquaculture. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), therefore, hold promise for producing genetic improvements, such as enhanced growth rate, increased production and efficiency, disease resistance and expanded ecological ranges. The basic procedure to generate transgenic fish for aquaculture includes: (1) design and construction of transgenic DNA; (2) transfer of the gene construct into fish germ cells; (3) screening for transgenic fish; (4) determination of transgene expression and phenotype; (5) study of inheritance; and (6) selection of stable lines of transgenics.GMOs offer economic benefits, but also pose environmental threats. Optimising the mix of benefits and risks is of fundamental importance. The potential economic benefits of transgenic technology to aquaculture are obvious. Transgenic fish production has the goal of producing food for human consumption; thus the design of genetic constructs must take into consideration the potential risks to consumer health, as well as marketing strategies and product acceptance in the market.     

Environmental risk assessment for the small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae and a stacked Bt-maize with combined resistances against Lepidoptera and Chrysomelidae in central European agrarian landscapes

The cultivation of Lepidoptera‐resistant Bt‐maize may affect nontarget butterflies. We assessed the risk posed by event MON89034 × MON88017 (expressing Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 against corn borers) to nontarget Lepidoptera. Using the small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae, a butterfly species common in central Europe, as a test organism we (i) assessed the toxicity of Bt‐maize pollen on butterfly larvae; (ii) measured pollen deposition on leaves of the host plant Urtica dioica; (iii) mapped the occurrence and distribution of host plants and larvae in two arable landscapes in Germany during maize anthesis; and (iv) described the temporal occurrence of a 1‐year population of A. urticae. (i) Larvae‐fed 200 Bt‐maize pollen grains/cm² had a reduced feeding activity. Significant differences in developmental time existed at pollen densities of 300 Bt‐maize pollen grains/cm² and in survival at 400 grains/cm². (ii) The highest pollen amount found was 212 grains/cm² at the field margin. Mean densities were much lower. (iii) In one region, over 50% of A. urticae nests were located within 5 m of a maize field, while in the other, all nests were found in more than 25 m distance to a maize field. (iv) The percentage of larvae developing during maize anthesis was 19% in the study area. The amount of pollen from maize MON89034 × MON88017 found on host plants is unlikely to adversely affect a significant proportion of larvae of A. urticae. This paper concludes that the risk of event MON89034 × MON88017 to populations of this species is negligible.     

Stable transformation of the cotton plastid genome and maternal inheritance of transgenes

Chloroplast genetic engineering overcomes concerns of gene containment, low levels of transgene expression, gene silencing, positional and pleiotropic effects or presence of vector sequences in transformed genomes. Several therapeutic proteins and agronomic traits have been highly expressed via the tobacco chloroplast genome but extending this concept to important crops has been a major challenge; lack of 100 homologous species-specific chloroplast transformation vectors containing suitable selectable markers, ability to regulate transgene expression in developing plastids and inadequate tissue culture systems via somatic embryogenesis are major challenges. We employed a Double Gene/Single Selection (DGSS) plastid transformation vector that harbors two selectable marker genes (aphA-6 and nptII) to detoxify the same antibiotic by two enzymes, irrespective of the type of tissues or plastids; by combining this with an efficient regeneration system via somatic embryogenesis, cotton plastid transformation was achieved for the first time. The DGSS transformation vector is at least 8-fold (1 event/2.4 bombarded plates) more efficient than Single Gene/Single Selection (SGSS) vector (aphA-6; 1 event per 20 bombarded plates). Chloroplast transgenic lines were fertile, flowered and set seeds similar to untransformed plants. Transgenes stably integrated into the cotton chloroplast genome were maternally inherited and were not transmitted via pollen when out-crossed with untransformed female plants. Cotton is one of the most important genetically modified crops ($ 120 billion US annual economy). Successful transformation of the chloroplast genome should address concerns about transgene escape, insects developing resistance, inadequate insect control and promote public acceptance of genetically modified cotton.