RISK ASSESSMENT STRATEGY FOR BT CROPS IN THE NETHERLANDS
September 12, 2003
Crop Biotech Update
www.isaaa.org/kc
Bart G J Knols and Marcel Dicke of the Laboratory of Entomology at the
Wageningen University, the Netherlands outlined a risk-assessment strategy
for the responsible regulation of the entrance of transgenic crops into
Dutch agriculture.
The authors cited three areas which needs to be addressed by the Dutch
Committee on Genetic Modification. These a 1. the outcrossing of
transgenes to related plant species; 2. effects of transgenic plants on soil
ecosystems; and 3. effects of transgenic plants on multitrophic
interactions.
Knols and Dicke proposed the following four-pronged approach in risk
assessment in anticipation of the possible effects of Bt products on the
Dutch agro-ecological environment:
Step 1: Bt crop application requires identification of key species
participating in multitrophic interactions and a clear understanding of
their ecological functions within the food web.
Step 2: Exposure of these key species to Bt toxins, and the resulting
effects on the functioning of below- and above-ground trophic levels and
their interactions, will follow.
Step 3: Population studies and analysis of interactions of Bt plants
withadjacent (semi) natural ecosystems and their effects at the community
level.
Step 4: Development of models to describe these processes that range from
organism to population level, providing insights into the potential
ecological effects.
This article was published in Nature Biotechnology (Vol 21 No. 9 September
2003). For more information, email .