THE RELEASE OF TRANSGENIC PLANTS FROM CONTAINMENT, AND THE MOVE TOWARDS THEIR WIDESPREAD USE IN AGRICULTURE

The use of transgenic plants in breeding makes it possible to utilise a wide variety of novel genes from unrelated plants, microbes and animals. Because of the diversity of genes that have now become available for modifying crop plants, it is agreed internationally that there should be a risk assessment before transgenic plants are grown outside the laboratory or glasshouse. Various aspects are considered in a risk assessment including any non-target effects of the transgene, changes in plant persistence and invasiveness, and the possibility of movement of the transgenes to wild populations by cross pollination. It is generally argued that the need for risk assessment and regulation should be determined by an analysis of certain products of transformation, rather than a risk assessment being required for all plants modified by the process of transformation. A possible consequence of considering the product only, however, could be that some of the products of conventional breeding may need to be assessed by the risk assessment procedures developed for transgenic plants. There are discussions with interest groups on the use of transgenic plants in the environment and in food products. It is likely that some form of labelling will be required for certain foods containing ethically-sensitive genes. There is little doubt that transgenic plants will make a significant contribution to agriculture in the coming decades. Developments in the patenting of genes, release regulations, food labelling, consumer reaction etc., will influence the rate of progress and should be considered in the strategic planning of plant breeding programmes.