Risk Assessment to Non-target Arthropods Made Easy

A framework for a scientific rationale to conduct an environmental risk assessment of insect resistant genetically modified (GM) crops to non-target arthropods was formulated by a diverse group of stakeholders led by Jorge Romeis of Switzerland. The aim was to provide a basis for improving harmonization of international risk assessment guidelines that will facilitate data acceptability and a greater scope for ecological effect data comparison.

The framework guide published in this week's issue of Nature Biotechnology is a three-step approach. It involves first, the definition of the threshold values which is the basis for advancing to higher tiers or for immediate decision action; second, selection of surrogate species for appropriate laboratory testing; and third, the development of standardized, validated test protocols for surrogate test species. The authors believe that this approach would minimize the likelihood of releasing insect resistant GM crops that would have undersirable effects to non-target insects.

For details, the full report can be downloaded at: http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v26/n2/pdf/nbt1381.pdf