Development of quality assurance protocols to prevent GM-contamination of organic crops

R.C. Van Acker, University of Manitoba, Canada and N. McLean, and R.C. Martin, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Canada

Introduction
Genetic engineering (GE) is a truly novel technology which allows for the inclusion of almost any trait imaginable into crop plants to serve all manner of desired functions and end uses (Tolstrup et al., 2003).

Since the commercial introduction of GE crops (commonly referred to as genetically modified (GM) crops), the global area seeded to GM crops has risen rapidly reaching 102 million hectares in 2006 (ISAAA, 2006).

In countries such as Canada and the United States (USA), farmer adoption levels of GM crops have been high. In Canada, more than 75% of the canola grown in 2004 was GM, while GM soybean and corn crop acreages represent over 60% of total acreage. In 2004 in the USA, over 80% of the soybeans grown were GM and almost 80% of the cotton grown was GM.

Although GM crops are registered for unconfined release in countries like Canada and the USA, they continue to be a concern in countries where GM crops are not yet registered for unconfined release. In addition, because GE allows for the realization of truly extraordinary traits in crop plants, it can also produce novel and unexpected risks.

As GM crop development proceeds, more unique traits are introduced into crop plants, including transgenes which encode for pharmaceutical proteins (USDA, 2003). The release of these types of traits into the environment is truly novel.

Most risks related to the release of GM crops are related to transgene movement, which remains relatively poorly understood and has been studied to only a very limited extent (Marvier and Van Acker, 2005). This is especially true for the intraspecific (within species) movement of transgenes within and among farming systems (NRC, 2004; Tolstrup et al., 2003).

For organic farmers and low input farmers serving certain markets, there is a requirement to maintain their produce free from transgenes (GM-free) in order to meet customer expectations. For these farmers, there is a need to understand the movement of transgenes in order that they may prevent transgene movement into their systems and maintain the product qualities they are expected to deliver.

Genetic engineering holds much promise for farmers, consumers and the biotechnology industry, but the exploitation of GM crops will require responsible introduction which, in turn, requires the creation of effective and acceptable transgene confinement protocols. These protocols must be based on knowledge of the nature and interaction of those factors which contribute to transgene movement and a realistic consideration of the cooperation required to make confinement effective (Tolstrup et al., 2003).

The protocols must also be based on the understanding that the movement of transgenes beyond their intended destinations under current agri-food production and handling systems is a certainty and that once transgenes have escaped into the environment it is unlikely that they can be absolutely retracted. In order to be administered effectively, the protocols must include the assignment of responsibilities for transgene confinement which are enforced through law.

 

Source
van Acker, R.C., McLean, N. and Martin, R.C. 2007. Development of quality assurance protocols to prevent GM-contamination of organic crops. In Cooper, J. et al. [eds.] Handbook of organic food safety and quality. Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge.

 

Posted September 2008