Proteinase inhibitors (PIs) are anti-metabolic proteins, which interfere with the digestive process of insects. It is one of the important defence strategies existing in plants against predators. The use of the plant-derived PI genes for developing insect-resistant transgenic crops has come of age. Several transgenic plants expressing PIs have been created and these plants have shown enhanced r...

Pollen-mediated gene flow from transgenic crops is a concern of the scientific community as well as the general public. Current lack is a nondestructive method to measure dynamic (hourly or shorter time period) source pollen release rate (source strength) from these crops. This paper reports an improved method using Rotorod concentration samplers and sticky slides, together with a fast response...

There is currently intense debate in parts of Europe about the commercial production of transgenic food crops. Information from the press and lobbying groups has not encouraged an informed and balanced consideration of the issues. In marked contrast, there is widespread acceptance of transgenic food crops in North America.

One of the least understood areas in the environmental risk assessment of genetically modified crops is their impact on soil and plant-associated microbial communities. In a review of literature, Dunfield and Germida (2004) found that transgenic plants and plant litter can influence the composition of the plant-associated microbial communities. Their review also points to such effects having be...

The influence of concurrent introduction of three transgenic vegetable cultivars on seasonal dynamics of coccinellids and their food, aphids and pollen, was examined within diversified farm systems practicing insect pest management in northeastern US agroecosystems. The transgenic cultivars used included sweet corn, potato, and winter squash, expressing Cry1(A)b, Cry3A, and plant viral coat pro...

The influence of concurrent introduction of three transgenic vegetable cultivars on seasonal dynamics of coccinellids and their food, aphids and pollen, was examined within diversified farm systems practicing insect pest management in northeastern US agroecosystems. The transgenic cultivars used included sweet corn, potato, and winter squash, expressing Cry1(A)b, Cry3A, and plant viral coat pro...