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Risk Management of GM Crops
Citation:
GLASER, J. A. Risk Management of GM Crops. Presented at USRA Seminary Series, Huntsville, AL, September 27, 2007.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public
Description:
Driven by biofuel demand, a significant increase in GM corn acreage is anticipated for the 2007 growing season with future planted GM corn acreage approaching 80% of the corn crop by 2009. As demand increases, grower non-compliance with mandated planting requirements is likely to increase. As part of the Federal Insecticide Fungicide Rodenticide Act registration’s terms and conditions, seed producers of genetically modified corn expressing the plant incorporated protectant, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), are required to implement and provide information on integrated resistance management (IRM) programs for genetically modified crops to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Long-term sustainability of GM corn expressing Bt relies on the validity of assumptions underlying IRM models used by EPA and the ability of EPA to monitor, detect and react to insect resistance when it develops. The EPA is developing a multi-tiered approach that utilizes a stochastic spatially explicit population genetics model for insect resistance evolution in temporally and spatially heterogeneous environments, field assays standardization for pest resistance detection, use of satellite/airborne remote sensing to locate and monitor genetically modified corn in agricultural landscapes, and protocol guidance to evaluate non-target effects of GM crops at field scale. Current status of the EPA research program and integration of resistance assays, IRM models and remote sensed imagery acquired from satellite/airborne hyperspectral sensors for use as a decision support tool will be discussed.