Current Synthetic and Systems Biology
Open Access

Bt brinjal: A case study in biosafety risks to plant biodiversity

International Conference on Synthetic Biology

September 28-29, 2015 Houston, USA

J Samuels

Novel Solanaceae Crops Project, UK

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Curr Synthetic Sys Biol

Abstract :

Several transgenic disease-resistant crop forms have been developed for commercial use across the world. Most of these rely on genetic transformation brought about by genes substituted from the soil-borne microorganism Bacillus thuringiensis (â�?�?Btâ�?)which confer the ability to produce â�?�?Cryâ�? proteins which are lethal to arthropods such as lepidopterans. In the interests of biosafety certain environmental risk assessments should be undertaken, so that the environmental consequences of commercial production can be determined. Such consequences include transgene transfer to related species of spiny solanums. If Bt transgenes become introgressed into these species the resultant hybridsmay constitute a serious riskto plant biodiversity. This arises from the combination of pest resistance with the inherent weedy nature of this group. The resultant situation could generate aggressive weeds with a tendency to become invasive particularly in the vicinity of farms in South and South-east Asia on which Bt brinjalis cultivated. The implications for ecological equilibrium will thus present a threat to plant biodiversity.In order to make thorough assessments of these riskscertain essential background information on the precise biological taxonomic and floristic characteristics of the transformed species and its cultivated and wild relatives must be amassed. This should encompass information on reproductive characteristics and phenology; interfertility relationships between the transformant and related species as well as between the relatives themselves; correct nomenclature, identification and systematic placement and floristics of wild relatives. Thorough and concise investigations of the possibility of transgene transfer to either untransformed crops of the same species, sympatric wild relatives orclosely-related crops grown sympatrically can hence be undertaken. The potential consequencesfor plant biodiversity of transgene transfer should not be underestimated, and detailed long-term studies are vital for a balanced assessment of risks. The history of the development of Bt brinjal shows that whilst certain studies have been of benefit, they have been limited in nature. An attempt is made here to contribute towards a fuller understanding of essential background information on Bt brinjal.

Biography :

Email: john.samuels@virgin.net