Print FriendlyJournal says biotech industry must address environmental issues dealing with genetic engineering
The June issue of Nature
Biotechnology, the world's most prestigious biotechnology journal,
devoted an editorial and three articles to the issue of gene flow with
genetically modified crops and potential risks and liabilities resulting
from it.
Gene containment strategies cannot work
The editorial stated, "Gene
flow from GM crops to related plants thus remains a primary concern for
regulators, and one that companies need to address. Current gene-containment
strategies cannot work reliably in the field. Seed companies will continue
to confuse batches, and mills will continue to mix varieties." With regard
to buffer zones planted by farmers to isolate GM crops, the editorial
states that they may "theoretically" control pollen dispersal but in practice
farmers will be unable or unwilling to follow planting rules. "Most seriously,
gene flow (like mixing) could result in GM material unintended for human
consumption, ending up in the human food chain." The editorial ended by
stating, "It is time that industry took decisive steps to address gene
flow from their products. Environmental concerns surrounding GM crops
are not going to go away."
Loss of organic canola market
In an article, "Liabilities
and Economics of Transgenic Crops," the authors state that the problems
of cross-pollination of GM crops with conventional varieties and the germination
of volunteer GM seeds "must be rapidly addressed to ensure that the adoption
rate of GM crops remains high and that the commercialization of future
varieties is not jeopardized."The authors point out that introduction
of GM herbicide-resistant canola in western Canada destroyed the growing
market for organic canola. "Because of the likelihood of out-crossing
and pollen flow, buyers have shown increased reluctance to buy organically
produced western Canadian canola because it might contain transgenes." The
authors estimate the lost market to between C$100,000 and C$200,000 per
year, "but the calculation probably underestimates the opportunity cost
of a market that many thought had significant potential for growth over
this period." In addition, the EU recently banned Canadian honey because
of the inability of Canadian honey producers to guarantee the absence
of pollen from GM plants not yet approved in the EU. The authors say that
institutional control, biological control, and a combination of the two
is needed to manage risks of GM crops. The authors recommend the use of
sterile seeds, the highly controversial "Terminator" technology.The authors
predict that current political and societal pressures are likely to lead
to more stringent regulation of GM crops. In addition, "the agbiotech
industry must take its responsibility more seriously" by educating producers
about the importance of containing the technology.
(July 2002)
