Preliminary Risk Assessment of Transgenic Plant Use in Ukraine

Abstract

Proposed research for Ukraine is an attempt to adopt and develop a system of pre-release risk assessment of GM crops after the idea of F.T. de Vries and developed by K. Ammann based on integrated information (specific codes) on hybridization potential, dispersal of diaspores, and frequency of distribution of respective species. After an evaluation of all codes, the combination gives an opportunity to estimate the impact of GM plants on wild flora. Six categories of risk probability have been developed from 'no effect' to 'substantial and widespread effect.' Accordingly, conditions of field releases are defined to the risk category term of monitoring and level of containment of GM species belonging to these categories. In the case of Ukraine, such preliminary risk assessment was done for oilseed rape, sugar beet, potato, corn, and false flax. The proposed technique can be used in the risk assessment of plant introduction. In addition, it is advisable to apply it for novel plant varieties developed using new breeding techniques.