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Abstract Detail


Plant biotech & Risk Assessment

Andersson, Meike S [1], Alvarez Sánchez, Diego F [2], Jarvis, Andy [3], Hyman, Glenn [3], de Vicente, M Carmen [1].

Gene flow risk assessment in centres of crop origin and diversity.

The centres of origin and diversity of many crop species are located in developing countries. The conservation of genetic resources in these regions is of key importance for the protection to the environment and the functioning of ecological processes, which is the basis for the sustainable use of genetic resources, and thus for food security and poverty alleviation in the long term.
The global area planted with genetically engineered (GE) crops is consistently increasing. An integrated risk assessment of the environmental impact of gene flow to crop wild relatives (CWR) and other wild species is crucial prior to the release of GE crops - particularly around the hot spots of crop diversity.
A guideline is presented for the environmental risk assessment of gene flow between crops and their CWR in centres of crop origin and diversity. The “state of the art” of gene flow in the 30 most important crops is described. The work compiles crop-specific information and factors that are relevant to biosafety, i.e. the potential ecological impact of GE crops. World crop maps are also presented for the first time, showing production areas and the distribution of CWR. They allow the identification at first sight of regions where gene flow is an issue due to the overlap of crops and their CWR.
The work is useful to assess the potential for transgene escape and to facilitate well-informed, science-based decisions about the release of transgenic varieties, including the development of strategies to minimize risk. In those cases where the available information is incomplete, it serves as a guide, pointing out those open questions that need to be addressed prior to conducting risk assessment.


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1 - Bioversity International, Regional Office for the Americas, Recta Cali-Palmira Km 17 - CIAT, P.O. Box 6713, Cali, Colombia
2 - Universidad del Valle, Topographic Engineering, Cali, Colombia
3 - International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), A.A. 6713, Cali, Colombia

Keywords:
gene flow
biosafety
Crop-to-Wild Gene Flow
crop wild relatives
centre of origin
hybridization
risk assessment.

Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P45012
Abstract ID:867


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