Assessment & Impacts

Principles and Approaches Genetic interactions in ecosystems are more dynamic and complex than acknowledged so far. Genetic change and genetic exchange phenomena seem to occur more frequently in nature than in laboratories, and may be regulated by unknown environmental factors. Local environmental conditions and chemical contaminants (pesticides and other xenobiotics), that will undoubtedly vary in concentrations and combinations between different locations are examples of such environmental factors. These may have impacts on the extent of horizontal gene transfer, and on how modified genes are expressed and affect the recipient organisms. Consequently, it is important to establish model systems in the laboratory, which mimic the ecological interactions and complexity of the real world.

Basis for risk assessment and management:
Risk and probability are not the same. Risk can be defined as the probability of an occurrence of an incident or phenomenon, multiplied by the consequences arising therefrom, if it occurs. At this moment we know little about both probability and consequences in relation to putative health and environmental effects of many genetic engineering applications.

Horizontal gene transfer: Horizontal gene transfer signifies a non-sexual transmission of genetic information within or between species. The phenomenon is common in nature, but our knowledge concerning ecological processes promoting such events and barriers prohibiting them is scanty.

Socio-economic considerations: The impact of genetically modified organisms goes beyond ecological and health dimensions. They have profound impact on society, including livelihoods, production systems, trade, culture and ethics.

Plant-made Pharmaceuticals: Financial Risk Profile

While the biopharmaceutical industry as a whole has had some limited success, attempts to employ GE plants as a production platform for “plant-made pharmaceuticals” have foundered despite 15 years’ of field trials and huge infusions of capital. […]

Bt Cotton in Andhra Pradesh: A three-year assessment

This study announces the results of a three-year study (2002-2005) of the impact of bollworm resistant Bt cotton in Andhra Pradesh in India. The results of the survey revealed that Monsanto hybrids were utter failure compared to the Non-Bt hybrids. […]

Ethics and Genetic Engineering

Fr Sean McDonagh of the Columban Missionary writes on the ethical and moral aspects of genetic engineering. He is critical of the corporate powers which continue to push GM food despite evidence that such food could have health impacts. […]

A Guide to Conducting Risk Assessment on GMOs

Arpad Pusztai and Susan Bardocz describe the step-by-step process of conducting risk assessment on GM food/plants. […]

GM Contamination: Can biological containment work for crops and society?

This briefing reviews the different approaches used to prevent GM contamination and considers their effectiveness and practicality. This is important because ‘biological containment’ is being promoted as a biosafety issue. […]

The Economics of Pharmaceutical Crops

Report finds only modest gains for farmers who grow genetically engineered pharmaceutical crops. […]

Farmers’ Guide to GMOs

This Farmers’ Guide to GMOs addresses some of the many issues that are associated with farmers’ use of GMOs. It also includes a list of resources to explore for further information on many GMO issues. […]

Transgenic Expression of Bean-Amylase Inhibitor in Peas Results in Altered Structure and Immunogenicity

Research found that peas modified to resist insects had caused inflammation in the lung tissues of mice which led the CSIRO to abandon a decade-long GM crop project. […]

GE Food: Safe to Eat

Greenpeace believes that there is no basis upon which it can be claimed that the GE foods are safe to eat. […]

The Ecological Impacts of Transgenic Crops on Agroecosystem Health

The impacts of agricultural biotechnology are here evaluated in the context of agroecological goals aimed at making agriculture more socially just, economically viable, and ecologically sound. […]