Benefits and Risks of Genetic Engineering in AgricultureSocioeconomic and environmental problems may be associated with transfer of traits

G enetic engineering, or recombinant DNA (R-DNA) technology, offers many opportunities for improving agriculture and public health. This technology transcends classical plant and animal breeding by permitting the rapid transfer of genetic traits between entirely different organisms. Potential benefits include higher yields and enhanced nutritional value from crops and livestock, reductions in pesticide and fertilizer use, and improved control of soil and water pollutants. Nevertheless, some releases of genetically engineered organisms may have sobering ecological, social, and economic effects. The scientific community's objective, therefore, should be to maximize the potential social and economic benefits from genetic engineering while minimizing the risks to public health, human welfare, and the environment. If a serious problem does result from the application of genetic engineering, it will hinder the future development of the technology. Because we have had little experience in nature with genetically engineered organisms, diverse views exist on the ecology, genetics, population dynamics, and potential environmenA serious problem arising from genetic engineering would hinder future

[1]  S. Lindow,et al.  Distribution of ice nucleation-active bacteria on plants in nature , 1978, Applied and environmental microbiology.

[2]  Robert K. Colwell,et al.  The Planned Introduction of Genetically Engineered Organisms: Ecological Considerations and Recommendations , 1989 .

[3]  T. A. Brindley.  Recent research advances on the european corn borer in North America. , 1975, Annual review of entomology.

[4]  J. Trevors,et al.  Gene transfer among bacteria in soil and aquatic environments: a review , 1987 .

[5]  J. R. Stauffer,et al.  Distribution, biology, and management of exotic fishes , 1984 .

[6]  G. Omenn.  8 – Controlled Testing and Monitoring Methods for Microorganisms , 1986 .

[7]  S. Lindow.  THE ROLE OF BACTERIAL ICE NUCLEATION IN FROST INJURY TO PLANTS , 1983 .

[8]  A. Kerr.  The Genetic Basis for Virulence, Pathogenicity and Host Range in Agrobacterium Tumefaciens , 1987 .

[9]  D. Pimentel,et al.  Environmental risks of biological pest controls , 1984 .

[10]  S. Lindow.  Chapter 14 – Epiphytic Ice Nucleation-Active Bacteria , 1982 .

[11]  Vera Rich,et al.  Can bomb-test swapping cement US – Soviet relationships? , 1987, Nature.

[12]  J. A. Mckenzie,et al.  Ecological genetics of insecticide and acaricide resistance. , 1987, Annual review of entomology.

[13]  S. Lindow.  Methods of Preventing Frost Injury Caused by Epiphytic Ice-Nucleation-Active Bacteria , 1983 .

[14]  D. Pimentel.  Biological Invasions of Plants and Animals in Agriculture and Forestry , 1986 .

[15]  R. Barker,et al.  Emerging Agricultural Technologies, Public Policy, and Implications for Third World Agriculture: The Case of Biotechnology , 1985 .

[16]  C. Person.  GENE-FOR-GENE RELATIONSHIPS IN HOST: PARASITE SYSTEMS , 1959 .

[17]  F. Gould.  Evolutionary Biology and Genetically Engineered CropsConsideration of evolutionary theory can aid in crop design , 1988 .

[18]  R. I. Sailer.  CHAPTER 2 – History of Insect Introductions , 1983 .

[19]  M. Montagu,et al.  Transgenic plants protected from insect attack , 1987, Nature.

[20]  D. Pimentel,et al.  Environmental Quality and Natural Biota , 1980 .

[21]  I. Vodopija,et al.  Clinical trials in healthy volunteers with the new purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine for man. , 1984, The Journal of communicable diseases.

[22]  C. Calkins.  CHAPTER 11 – Research on Exotic Insects , 1983 .

[23]  R. L. Gallun,et al.  GENETIC BASIS OF HESSIAN FLY EPIDEMICS , 1977 .

[24]  W. Lacy,et al.  Plant Breeding and Biotechnology , 1986 .