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Gene flow in genetically engineered perennial grasses: Lessons for modification of dedicated bioenergy crops
Citation:
Kausch, A. P., J. Hague, M. Oliver, L. S. WATRUD, C. Mallory-Smith, V. Meier, A. Snow, AND C. Stewart Jr. Gene flow in genetically engineered perennial grasses: Lessons for modification of dedicated bioenergy crops. Chapter 10, Macia, Peter N., Jurgen Scheffran, Jack M. Widholm (ed.), Plant Biotechnology for Sustainable Production of Energy and Co-Products; Series: Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry. Springer-Verlag, BERLIN-HEIDELBERG, Germany, , 285-297, (2010).
Impact/Purpose:
The potential ecological consequences of the commercialization of genetically engineered (GD) crops have been the subject of intense debate, particularly when the GE crops are perennial and capable of outcrossing to wild relatives.
Description:
The potential ecological consequences of the commercialization of genetically engineered (GD) crops have been the subject of intense debate, particularly when the GE crops are perennial and capable of outcrossing to wild relatives. The essential ecological impact issues for engineered perennial crops are the following: whether (1) the techniques themselves or resulting phenotypic traits could lead to adverse ecological impacts; (2) escaped GE crop plants can persist in the environment via feral species, depending on the source and nature of the GE trait(s) in the crop; (3) long-term environmental effects will result from commercialization of the GE crop; (4) GE crops are grown sympatrically with wild relatives (e.g., centers of origin) or cross-compatible species (or genera); (5) GE crops have biotypes or related taxa that are already aggressive weeds; (6) GE crops can also be weeds themselves: and (7) GE crops can outcross with some degree of self-incompatibility.
