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- Title
Risk assessment of gene flow from genetically engineered virus resistant cassava to wild relatives in Africa: an expert panel report.
- Authors
Hokanson, Karen; Ellstrand, Norman; Dixon, Alfred; Kulembeka, Heneriko; Olsen, Kenneth; Raybould, Alan
- Abstract
The probability and consequences of gene flow to wild relatives is typically considered in the environmental risk assessment of genetically engineered crops. This is a report from a discussion by a group of experts who used a problem formulation approach to consider existing information for risk assessment of gene flow from cassava ( Manihot esculenta) genetically engineered for virus resistance to the 'wild' (naturalized) relative M. glaziovii in East Africa. Two environmental harms were considered in this case: (1) loss of genetic diversity in the germplasm pool, and (2) loss of valued species, ecosystem resources, or crop yield and quality due to weediness or invasiveness of wild relatives. Based on existing information, it was concluded that gene flow will occur, but it is not likely that this will reduce the genetic diversity in the germplasm pool. There is little existing information about the impact of the virus in natural populations that could be used to inform a prediction about whether virus resistance would lead to an increase in reproduction or survival, hence abundance of M. glaziovii. However, an increase in the abundance of M. glaziovii should be manageable, and would not necessarily lead to the identified environmental harms.
- Subjects
GENE flow in plants; CASSAVA diseases &; pests; PLANT resistance to viruses; ENVIRONMENTAL risk assessment; RISK assessment of transgenic plants
- Publication
Transgenic Research, 2016, Vol 25, Issue 1, p71
- ISSN
0962-8819
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11248-015-9923-3