Genetically Modified Planet: Environmental Impacts of Genetically Engineered Plants

Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Plants

In order to fulfil the requirement of the guidance notes supplementing Annex II to Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms the current environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants needs to be improved. By adopting a quantitative and predictive environmental risk assessment methodology it is possible to aid decis ion m...

Environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants - concepts and controversies

Background and purpose: In Europe, the EU Directive 2001/18/EC lays out the main provisions of environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) organisms that are interpreted very differently by different stakeholders. The purpose of this paper is to: (a) describe the current implementation of ERA of GM plants in the EU and its scientific shortcomings, (b) present an improved ER...

Risks and Benefits of Genetically Engineered Plants

Genetically Modified Plants and Environmental Safety: a Critical Analysis1

The Brazilian regulatory process is internationally recognized as one of the strictest and most complete in the world. The 1st Biosafety Law was enacted in January 1995 (Law no. 8.974/ 95) and only set the guidelines for the control of activities related to the exposure, handling, and use of organisms and products derived by recombinant DNA technology. A decade later, this law was replaced by a...

Genetically engineered plants: greener than you think

Healthy, productive farmland separates humans from famine, making wise agricultural practices crucial to everyone. Plant scientists at universities and companies throughout the world endeavour to improve the quality, quantity, safety and sustainability of agricultural production, and their efforts have proven highly successful. Despite the remarkable success of a number of genetically engineere...