Download [S3.10] Evaluation of the effects of a genetically modified organism

[S3.10]
Evaluation of the effects of a genetically modified organism on non-target organisms
using standardized aquatic microcosms
G. Bouwer*, I. Ketseoglou
University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Evaluation of the effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on non-target organisms
and biodiversity is a key component of environmental risk assessment. Assessment of the
effects of GMOs on aquatic non-targets organisms usually relies on the use of indicator species
in single-species tests. Since single-species tests ignore the importance of interactions among
species, these tests cannot be used to reliable predict the non-targets effects of GMOs in the
environment. Multi-species microcosms, with multi-trophic level communities, allow the
simultaneous assessment of the effects of GMOs on primary producers, grazers, and
decomposers. The standardized aquatic microcosm (SAM) protocol enables the evaluation of
non-targets effects in standardized and reproducible multi-species microcosms.
A genetically engineered cyanobacterium, which expresses Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies
israelensis Cry proteins, has been shown to have good larvicidal activity against malaria
vectors. A case study is presented in which the non-target effects of the genetically engineered
cyanobacterium was evaluated using the SAM protocol. The study provided valuable
information on the non-target effects of the genetically engineered cyanobacterium and
suggests that the SAM protocol may be useful in the assessment of the non-target effects of
other GMOs.
Keywords: environmental risk assessment, non-target effects, standardized aquatic microcosm,
genetically engineered cyanobacterium