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[SANET-MG] field testing of transgenic mustard (Brassica juncea)
October 20, 2006
Prof. Joe Cummins
Concerning the field testing of transgenic mustard (Brassica juncea)
Transgenic mustard has begun to be tested but , here to fore, the crop
has not been approved for commercial release. The transgenes being
tested include foremost herbicide tolerance, followed by male fertility,
oil composition and pharmaceutical proteins.
Field test releases of transgenic Brassica juncea were done in the
United States during 2003, 2004 and 2005. The 2005 test was undertaken
by Bayer Crop Science, who released male sterility based on barnase. The
2004 and 2005 tests were done by the United States Department of
Agriculture who released transgenes specifying industrial enzymes and
transgens to implement bioremediation.
http://www.nbiap.vt.edu/cfdocs/fieldtests1.cfm
Field test releases of transgenic Brassica juncea were done in the
European Union during 2000 and 2001. The trials were undertaken by
Aventis in Belgium. The transgenes tested were all glufosinate herbicide
tolerance and barnase based male sterility.
http://biotech.jrc.it/deliberate/doc/snifs.pdf
In Canada 130 field test releases of transgenic Brassica juncea have
been provided since 1995. The main transgene was for herbicide
tolerance, the barnase based male sterility system was next in
popularity, with a few tests of abiotic stress or production of
pharmaceuticals. The main clients testing transgenic Brassica juncea in
Canada were Bayer Crop Sciences, Pioneer Hybrid and the Saskatchewan
Wheat Pool (a cooperative established to control the marketing of wheat).
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/bio/confine.shtml#sum
Since Brassica juncea is open pollinating it is certain that the
transgenes have begun to pollute the environment in Saskatchewan and
Alberta provinces where the transgenic mustard was released for field
testing.. Transgenic canola (Brassica napus and Brassica rapa) is grown
extensively grown in those two provinces and it has been found to have
polluted essentially all of the canola seed stock in those provinces.
Canada has done little to control escape of transgenes from field test
releases including transgenes for highly toxic pharmaceuticals along
with the transgene releases from commercial crops. Canada has been
feckless in the regulation and management of field test releases and the
management of transgenic crops. This carelessness is evident in the
transgenic pollution of the food crops
The barnase male sterility system is a particular concern because of the
use of a potent toxin to eliminate pollen production in the transgenic
crop. In spite of the danger of transgen pollution Canola (Brassica
napus) transgenic for barnase control of male fertility was approved for
commercial production in food and feed as early as 1996.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/not_reg.html
Canada approved the male sterile for consumption in food and feed in
1997. http://www.agbios.com/dbase.php
Australia approved the male sterile canola for use in food and feed in
2002 and for production in that country in 2003
http://www.agbios.com/dbase.php
The European Union approved use of the transgenic make sterile canola in
EU in 2005 but production in the field has not yet been approved.
http://www.agbios.com/dbase.php
It has been suggested that Brassica juncea (mustard) and canola
(Brassica napus and Brassica rapa) should be considered the same with
regards to regulation. That is clearly an erroneous suggestion because
the species are different as is clear by just looking at the plants.
Those countries contemplating imitating approvals of the United States,
Canada and EU should take a careful second look because there is new
information that the barnase destruction of the male sex organs may have
a holistic impact on (on the entire plant) by effecting mobile RNAi
molecules that are transported through the plant’s phloem. These novel
toxins have just begun to be recognized. It is wise to withhold approval
until adequate research has been done. It is no wonder that the
corporations object to the labeling of transgenic crops so that toxic
impacts will not be recognized right away.
.
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