Determining indicators, methods and sites for monitoring potential adverse effects of genetically modified plants to the environment: the legal and conceptional framework for implementation

Abstract

According to Directive 2001/18/EC commercial cultivation of genetically modified plants (GMPs) have to be monitored. The aim of the monitoring is to identify potential adverse effects of the GMPs and their use on human health and the environment. There are few concepts showing how GMP monitoring may be implemented. This article indicates monitoring requirements with a focus on environmental issues. GMP monitoring has to be appropriate to detect direct and indirect, immediate and long-term as well as unforeseen effects. For choosing suitable monitoring indicators and methods, we propose a case-by-case approach, which is hypothesis-driven and related to specified protection targets. We present criteria for selecting suitable monitoring sites and demonstrate possibilities to integrate GMP monitoring with existing environmental monitoring programmes. To ensure comparability, interpretability and quality of GMP monitoring data a harmonisation on both national and international level is proposed.

Tools for a scientifically rigorous and efficient monitoring of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) – VDI Guidelines to ensure high quality of GMO-monitoring data

“…When different GMOs are released concurrently in the same area, combined effects may occur. This indicates the need of a monitoring strategy that meets both, a targeted monitoring approach that takes into account specific causal interrelationships as well as a more general observation of the environment (Züghart et al 2008). For GM plants (GMP) the monitoring approach will comprise a set of mainly sectoral monitoring objectives and methodologies to complement one another accordingly, depending on plant species, inserted traits, intended use and the receiving environment.…”

Soybean in the European Union, Status and Perspective

“…This difference between 2006 and 2010 version may represent both the change into the EFSA GMO panel composition as well as an attempt of EU-MS, of their enforcement agencies and of the EC to master and retrieve the leadership in a scientific, but also highly political, issue. For several years now, important scientific conceptual and practical works have indeed been developed in several EU-MS along with reports from national committees in charge of GMO approvals (ACRE, 2004;Breckling and Reuter, 2006;Garcia-Alonso et al, 2006;Graef et al, 2005;Monkemeyer et al, 2006;Wilhelm et al, 2009;Wolt et al, 2010;Zughart et al, 2008). Most of these scientific works focused on environmental effects, while the effects on human health are roughly "delegated" by the consent holders to national health monitoring networks (Bakshi, 2003;Cellini et al, 2004;Covelli and Hohots, 2003;D'Agnolo, 2005;EFSA GMO panel, 2006b;Filip et al, 2004;Hepburn et al, 2008;Wal et al, 2003).…”

Fate of transgenes in the forest tree genome

“…Public debate regarding process vs. product, stable transgene expression, and escape of transgenes from the GE trees and their fitness effects on the feral tree populations acquiring the transgenes is still continuing in GE trees (Van Frankenhuyzen and Beardmore 2004;Brunner et al 2007;Sederoff 2007;Züghart et al 2008). Forest scientists view that the regulatory obstacles have hindered progress in research and development of transgenic forest biotechnology (Strauss et al 2009a).…”