US Scientific Body Warns of Ecological Hazards of GE Crops

Source: Ecological Society Of America (http://www.sdsc.edu/~ESA)
Date: Posted 6/7/2001

Ecological Society Of America Recommends Cautious Approach To Releasing
Genetically Modified Organisms Into The Environment.

Although genetically modified organisms have a role to play in the globe's
future, scientists and governments should proceed with caution as they
release these organisms into the environment, according to researchers at
the Ecological Society of America.

These cautionary words were issued as part of an official statement on
GMOs which the Society released today in Washington, DC.

"It's important to recognize that some GMOs can possess genuinely new
characteristics that may require much greater scrutiny in terms of
scientific research than organisms produced by traditional techniques of
plant and animal breeding. In particular, we really need more peer-reviewed
research on the potential environmental effects of GMOs," says Diana Wall.
Wall, who is the Director of the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory at
Colorado State University, served as Chair of the ad hoc committee which
developed the GMO statement approved by the Society's Governing Board.

The Ecological Society of America is a professional, scientific society
founded in 1915. ESA members are leaders in ecological research and
education. They hail from academia, government agencies, industry, and
non-profit organizations and work to provide the ecological knowledge needed
to contribute to environmental problem solving across the globe. The Society
is perhaps best known for publishing three scientific, peer-reviewed
research journals: Ecology, Ecological Applications, and Ecological
Monographs.

Cases of particular concern which were cited in the ESA statement include
instances where an organism can persist without human intervention. Also of
concern: the exchange of genetic material between GMOs and unaltered
organisms within the environment. Some GMOs may also be given traits which
would provide an advantage over native species in some environments.

Pointing to these concerns, the ESA recommends an assessment of
environmental risk for all GMOs in order to minimize the potentially
negative ecological effects they may have. The potentially negative effects
could include:

* creating new or more vigorous pests and pathogens

* exacerbating the effects of existing pests through hybridization with
related transgenic plants or animals

* harm to non-target species, such as soil organisms, non-pest insects,
birds and other animals

* disruptive effects on biotic communities

* irreparable loss or changes in species diversity and genetic diversity
within a species.

"ESA urges scientifically-based risk assessment of GMOs and standards
appropriate for product testing and release into the environment," says the
Society's statement. "The ESA is committed to providing scientific
information that can aid in the development of GMOs with neutral or
beneficial ecological effects."

To read the full statement, visit the ESA website at:
http://esa.sdsc.edu/statement0601.htm

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is a scientific, non-profit,
7,800-member organization founded in 1915. Through ESA reports, journals,
membership research, and expert testimony to Congress, ESA seeks to promote
the responsible application of ecological data and principles to the
solution of environmental problems. ESA publishes three scientific,
peer-reviewed journals: Ecology, Ecological Applications, and Ecological
Monographs. Information about the Society and its activities is published in
the Society's quarterly newsletter, ESA NewSource, and in the quarterly
Bulletin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Ecological
Society Of America for journalists and other members of the public. If you
wish to quote from any part of this story, please credit Ecological Society
Of America as the original source. You may also wish to include the
following link in any citation:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/06/010605073428.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------