Natural variation in crop composition and the impact of transgenesis
Harrigan GG et al (2010). Nature Biotechnology 28, 402-404.
This paper is relevant to the Agronomic, Safety & Health Impact, and Environmental categories in the following areas:
| Crops: | Maize, and Soybean |
| Traits: | Insect Resistance, Herbicide Tolerance, and Other |
| Countries: | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Romania, and US |
| Regions: | EU, South America, North America, and Europe |
| ImpactAreas: | Agronomic, Safety & Health, and Environmental |
Abstract or Summary:
Compositional equivalence of crops improved through biotech-derived transgenic, or genetically modified (GM), traits and their conventional (non-GM) comparators is an important criterion in breeding as well as a key aspect of risk assessments of commercial candidates. We present here an analysis evaluated from compositional data on GM corn and GM soybean varieties grown across a range of geographies and growing seasons with the aim of not only assessing the relative impact of transgene insertion on compositional variation in comparison with the effect of environmental factors but also reviewing the implications of these results on the safety assessment process. Specifically, our analysis includes evaluation of seven GM crop varieties from a total of nine countries and eleven growing seasons. On the basis of our data, we conclude that compositional differences between GM varieties and their conventional comparators were encompassed within the natural variability of the conventional crop and that the composition of GM and conventional crops cannot be disaggregated.
Download Natural variation in crop composition and the impact of transgenesis (held on an external server, and so may require additional authentication details)
CropLife International fully acknowledges the source and authors of the publication as detailed above.
Related Papers
- Indian Bt Cotton Varieties Do Not Affect the Performance of Cotton AphidsLawo NC, Wackers FL, Romeis J2009
- Global Impact of Biotech Crops: Environmental Effects, 1996-2008Brookes G & Barfoot P2009
- Diversity and abundance of flower-visiting insects in Bt and non-Bt cotton fields of Maputaland (KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa)Hofs J-L, SchoemanaAS, Pierrea J2008
- A metal-Analysis of effects of Bt cotton and maize on nontarget invertebratesMarvier M, et al2007
- GM crops: global socio-economic and environmental impacts 1996- 2008Brookes G & Barfoot P2009
