This chapter addresses how a transgene can be designed to minimize the cost of risk assessment and identifies the features of a transgene that are essential to characterize risk assessment. Specific topics covered include: (i) transgene design and production; (ii) transgene locus structure and...

This chapter focuses on the assessment of the risk of greater crop damage in Bt cotton by nontarget pest herbivores or disease transmitted by these pests. A diagram of possible risk hypotheses for nontarget herbivores associated with Bt cotton that could lead to pest outbreaks is presented. The...

This chapter discusses the potential risks of gene flow from genetically modified insect-resistant cotton in Vietnam, using a general framework to guide gene flow risk assessment. This framework includes assessment stages beginning with the conception of the specific transgenic crops...

This chapter establishes a series of informational needs that are essential to completing an assessment of resistance risk and the development of a practical resistance management plan for the deployment of Bt cotton. It deals with the specific cases of the introduction of either Bollgard II cotton ...

Many international forums have identified the need for comprehensive, scientific methods for the pre-release testing and post-release monitoring of transgenic plants to ensure their environmental safety and sustainable use. In response to this requirement, the International Project on GMO...

This chapter illustrates several methodologies for conducting the scientific analysis that supports environmental risk assessment of transgenic crops that are in the process of commercial development, using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton in Brazil as a case study. It highlights several points...

This chapter elaborates on case-specific methodologies (for use during the pre-release stages of Bt cotton) to support risk assessment of nontarget organisms and biodiversity applied to the Brazil case study: (1) identifying functional categories of biodiversity; (2) listing and prioritizing...

This chapter focuses primarily on risk analysis prior to any field release of transgenic plants and addresses the risk that Lepidopteran pests associated with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton may evolve resistance to Bt proteins in Brazil. It lays out a simple procedure for identifying the target ...

This chapter briefly summarizes the agricultural context for the possible use of Bt cotton in Brazil and the major achievements and key findings of this case study which presents scientific analysis supporting the environmental risk assessment of transgenic crops that are in the process of...

This book (13 chapters), the fourth in a series (the first, second and third books focused on Bt maize in Kenya, Bt cotton in Brazil, and risk assessment and management of transgenic fish, respectively) that provides scientifically peer-reviewed tools that can help developing countries strengthen...