Sebastian at the Tower of London (Suitcase Bear Adventures)

By Margaret C. Hall

Book Overview

What will it mean to have a steady stream of animal and microbial genes entering thegene pools of plants in wild ecosystems?Private companies and the federal government are pouringsignificant resources into biotechnology, and the major application of genetic engineering toagriculture is transgenic crops. This carefully reasoned science and policy assessment shows thatthe commercialization and release of transgenic crops on millions of acres of farmland can poseserious -- and costly -- environmental risks. The authors propose a practical, feasible method ofconducting precommercialization evaluations that will balance the needs of ecological safety withthose of agriculture and business, and that will assist governments seeking to identify and protectagainst two of the most significant risks.Rissler and Mellon first define transgenic plants andreview research currently under way in the field of crop biotechnology. They then identify andcategorize the environmental risks presented by commercial uses of transgenic crops. These includethe potential of transgenic crops to become weeds or to produce weeds with transgene properties suchas herbicide resistance that may require costly control programs. Plants engineered to contain virusparticles may facilitate the creation of new viruses that can affect economically importantcrops.Looking at global seed trade, the authors discuss the relationship between commercial approvalin the United States and environmental risks abroad. Of particular concern is the flow of novelgenes into the centers of crop biodiversity, primarily in the developing world, that could threatenthe genetic base of the world's future food supply.The authors conclude by reviewing the currentstatus of U.S. regulations governing transgenic crops. They discuss the difficulties that this newterrain presents to regulators, and offer recommendations concerning the commercial development,risk assessment, and regulation of these crops.Copublished with the Union of ConcernedScientists

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0971317410
• ISBN13: 9780971317413
• Release Date: February 2002
• Publisher: Bear & Co Pubns a Division of boyds
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.