A Critical Assessment and Background Information

Summary

Susanne Fromwald, Sylvbia Strauss on behalf
of Greenpeace International May 1998

AgrEvo's/PGS's genetically engineered (GE) oilseed rape, contains the following genetic alterations:

• a gene for tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate,
• a gene for resistance to the antibiotics kanamycin and neomycin,
• a gene for male sterility,
• and a gene for fertility restoration.

It is the first GE crop that has been given permission to be released on a large scale into its 'centre of diversity of wild related. The release of a GE crop into such centre is a major concern because of the threat of genetic pollution, the threat that the transgenes become a permanent feature in wild plants and in ecosystems. The authorisation given by the European Commission does not require any measures to prevent or minimise the dissemination of the GE oilseed rape.

In Europe, 900 species of the Brassica family, to which oilseed rape belongs, can be found. In Europe, a huge diversity of wild related species with which the crop can breed exists.

GE oilseed rape, when commercially released in Europe, could transfer its transgenes to other oilseed rape and to wild related species. Gene transfers could lead to the permanent alteration of wild species, and inevitably result in genetic pollution. Smaller populations of wild species could literally get swamped by the incoming genes. The newly created hybrids, or the engineered crops themselves, could become established and disrupt the ecosystems in which they survive, displacing other plant species and potentially the fauna which they support. These hybrids and the GE oilseed rape could become a permanent feature of ecosystems and fields. The overall effects on ecosystems are unpredictable and it may take tens or even hundreds of years for them to be recognised.

In 1995, traditional oilseed rape was grown on 2.84 million hectares in the European Union. Thus the commercial introduction of GE oilseed rape into Europe creates serious threats to ecosystems and biodiversity.

Growing GE oilseed rape on a large scale in Europe is likely to trigger the development of herbicide resistant weeds and, therefore, would further increase weed control problems. This risk has been taken seriously by Argentina, which has not allowed the large scale growing of glyphosate tolerant GE oilseed rape crop because of the risk of even more resistant weeds arising, and because of the loss of effectiveness of the particular herbicide. GE oilseed rape may also threaten organic farming by causing genetic pollution of organic products.

The large scale growing of GE oilseed rape in combination with the use of the herbicide glufosinate might affect the health of animals, such as deer and hares, which feed on the oilseed rape. In addition, there is the risk that the antibiotic resistance gene could be transferred to microorganisms, increasing the spreading of further resistance to antibiotics and thus jeopardising future treatments of infectious diseases caused by mircoorganisms.

The Norwegian government is prohibiting the import of the transgenic oilseed rape because of the presence of the antibiotic resistance gene. EU Directive 90/220, under which the authorisation of AgrEvo's/PGS' GE oilseed rape was granted, requires that adverse effects for the environment and human health are prevented. Only genetically engineered organisms which have been shown to be harmless can be authorised. The GE oilseed rape cannot be considered as harmless to environment or human health. This raises serious questions about the approval process for such crops under EU Directive 90/220.

It seems that information on the environmental and human health threats have not been taken into full account by the European Commission. The currently available evidence highlights the lack of knowledge and understanding concerning the long-term effects GE organisms may have on ecosystems. For example, the impact of GE oilseed rape on the environment in terms of its direct effects through gene flow to wild relatives, and the effects of changes in herbicide use, are all uncertain but could be damaging.

There is an urgent need to adopt a precautionary approach to these and other possible effects which are as yet unknown and not understood. The difference between GE organisms and other technical developments is that GE organisms are self-replicating organisms that once let out cannot be recalled or eliminated. This irreversibility demands a very precautionary approach. Greenpeace believes there is enough evidence for it be demanded there be no release into the environment of this GE oilseed rape or other GE organisms.

Greenpeace is calling on EU member states to take the required measures to prevent genetic pollution and protect public health. EU member states should assert their legal rights under Article 16 of EU Directive 90/220, and ban the import and growing of this GE oilseed rape on their territories. In addition, EU member states should request that the European Commission withdraw its authorisation for GE oilseed rape.

Doc-Download (184KB) of full report, click here.

top/home