Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering

Resistance

Pest Management at the Crossroads contains discussion of applications of biotechnology to pest management. The discussion of resistance to Bt-transgenic and herbicide-tolerant plants, and related recommendations, are bound to be controversial. We will try to incorporate the highlights of the debate here.
Oilseed Rape/Canola and Resistance

French research has demonstrated gene flow from glufosinate ammonium (Basta) tolerant canola to unrelated crops and weeds, raising the specter of "super-weeds." This and related findings triggered a December 1997 decision by the French government to not approve new transgenic vegetable and filed crops until scientists gain a better understanding of the ecological risks and consequences associated with transgenic varieties.
Shipments of genetically engineered canola from Canada to Europe may soon be affected by this French decision, possibly beginning another biotech-oriented trade dispute. The acceptance by consumers of transgenic canola varieties is discussed in a December 10, 1997 talk before the Canola IPM Working Group.

Excerpt from New Scientist article, November 1, 1997 "Call for a Spin Doctor". Anne-Marie Chevre and colleagues at INRA (French National Ag Research Agency) research the escape of genes into wild plants using transgenic oilseed rape and wild radish. [Research in Nature, vol. 389, p.924]

Bt-Transgenic Crops

"A Strategy to Overcome Pest Resistance to BT" in mosquitoes entails the combination of two Bt crystals which act synergistically and through different modes of action. University of California results are promising. Other research by Gould et al ("Initial frequency of alleles for resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins in field populations of Heliothis virescens"), and Tabashnik et al. ("Seeking the root of insect resistance to transgenic plants") suggests that cross-resistance is a significant threat in many insect species.

P A N U P S December 9, 1996 ACTION ALERT:
Urge EPA to Hold Scientific Advisory Panel Meeting on Bt Cotton Failure

Bollgard/Bollworm Debate in Cotton Grower, Fall 1996, By Chris Demaske

Bt COTTON CREATING RESISTANCE TO Bt? by Max Woodfin in
SOUTHERN SUSTAINABLE FARMING #12 SEPT 1996

Genetically Engineered (Bt) corn FIELD CROP NEWSLETTER,
Department of Agronomy, Penn State University

UW Scientists Urge Caution.... Sept. 17, 1996

Science of Resistance Management

* Three major new studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences substantially undermine confidence in current Bt-transgenic crop resistance management plans.

"Seeking the root of insect resistance to transgenic plants" by Bruce Tabashnik, published in Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. Vol 94, pp. 3488-3490, April, 1997. [to find the article search by "Browse & Search Archive of All Issues:", then by "author - last name"]

Major findings reported by Tabashnik and colleagues --
"One gene in diamondback moth confers resistance to four Bacillus thuringiensis toxins" in the March, 1997 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Gould and colleagues at North Carolina have just published a very important research article, Initial frequency of alleles for resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins in field populations of Heliothis virescens , the major findings of which are summarized in a commentary, "Boom and Bust of Insect Resistant Bt Cotton?" by C.S. Prakash from the July, 1997 issue of ISB NewsReport.

"Keeping Maximizer (And Other Bt products) Unbeatable --
Current Resistance Programs: High Dose Strategies and Refugia" in Farm Chemicals October 1996

Policy Issues

Bt Plant-Pesticides and Resistance Management
Remarks presented on behalf of Consumers Union by: Michael Hansen, Ph.D. Before the EPA FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel- February 9&10, 1998 Arlington, VA

"Return to the 'Stone-Age of Pest Management'" Remarks presented before the EPA public meeting "Plant Pesticides Resistance Management" on behalf of Consumers Union, March 21, 1997 Washington D.C.

A position statement on herbicide tolerant crops, issued May 1997, from Dennis Keeney, Director of the Leopold Center

Last Updated on 2/10/98
By Karen Lutz
Email: karen@hillnet.com