Impact of GM crops on biodiversity

Abstract

The potential impact of GM crops on biodiversity has been a topic of interest both in general as well as specifically in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Agricultural biodiversity has been defined at levels from genes to ecosystems that are involved or impacted by agricultural production (www.cbd.int/agro/whatis.shtml). After fifteen years of commercial cultivation, a substantial body of literature now exists addressing the potential impacts of GM crops on the environment. This review takes a biodiversity lens to this literature, considering the impacts at three levels: the crop, farm and landscape scales. Within that framework, this review covers potential impacts of the introduction of genetically engineered crops on: crop diversity, biodiversity of wild relatives, non-target soil organisms, weeds, land use, non-target above-ground organisms, and area-wide pest suppression. The emphasis of the review is peer-reviewed literature that presents direct measures of impacts on biodiversity. In addition, possible impacts of changes in management practises such as tillage and pesticide use are also discussed to complement the literature on direct measures. The focus of the review is on technologies that have been commercialized somewhere in the world, while results may emanate from non-adopting countries and regions. Overall, the review finds that currently commercialized GM crops have reduced the impacts of agriculture on biodiversity, through enhanced adoption of conservation tillage practices, reduction of insecticide use and use of more environmentally benign herbicides and increasing yields to alleviate pressure to convert additional land into agricultural use.

Testing Potential Effects of Maize Expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab Endotoxin (Bt Maize) on Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities via DNA- and RNA-Based Pyrosequencing and Molecular Fingerprinting

“…However, because genetic modification alters the functioning of crop plants, there is a risk that these changes may have adverse effects on the plant's biotic environment (5,19), implying that the potential effects of such modifications should be examined (4). This is particularly relevant given the forecasted increases in GM cultivation worldwide (7).…”

‘Ξένο’ DNA Από Τη Χορηγούμενη Τροφή Στον Οργανισμό Των Ζώων Και Αξιολόγηση Της Ασφάλειας Των Γενετικώς Τροποποιημένων Ζωοτροφών

“…Πρέπει επίσης να σημειωθεί ότι έχει μελετηθεί το θέμα ενδεχόμενων δυσμενών περιβαλλοντικών επιπτώσεων των γενετικώς τροποποιημένων οργα-νισμών στη βιοποικιλότητα (Ewers et al 2009, Arpaia et al 2010, Barberi et al 2010, Smith and konig 2010, Carpenter 2011, Whittingham 2011, Smit et al 2012. Το γενικό συμπέρασμα από τις παραπάνω μελέτες συνοψίζεται στο ότι το Πληροφορίες σχετικές με το προϊόν.…”

Understanding Environmental Risk Assessment of GMOs in Africa-The Importance of Regulation and Monitoring

“…The answer to this question is not direct, as one can't say Yes or No to the question. And the reason is simply because no scientific evidence has yet to demonstrate any negative impact of GMOs on the environment [1], although literature evidence in terms of environmental benefit of GMOs has continued to grow [2]. However, anecdotal evidence suggests there may be possible impact of GMOs on the environment, hence the introduction of GMOs into the environment must be preceded by risk assessment, risk management and monitoring.…”