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From:
Peter L Borst <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:02:37 -0500
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GM CROPS, RISK ASSESSMENT, BEES AND HONEY

(2002) Ingrid H. WILLIAMS, IACR – Rothamsted

GM crops and bees

> The most significant scientific plant-breeding advance of the last 20 years has been the ability to isolate genes from any organism and, by recombinant biotechnology, to introduce them into crop plants to produce genetically-modified (GM) crops. This technology differs from conventional plant breeding in allowing a greater range of genes to be inserted and with greater precision, thereby producing 'a plant in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination'.

> Farmers worldwide are currently growing 44 million hectares of GM crops. The major crops are maize, oilseed rape, potato, tomato, soybean, cotton, tobacco and sugar beet. Most GM crops are grown in USA, Argentina, Canada, and China with some in South Africa, Australia, Mexico, Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, Rumania, Bulgaria and Uruguay. To date, most GM crops have been modified for tolerance to specific herbicides or resistance to certain insect pests. Future advances in biotechnology will allow the development of a wider range of GM crops with enhanced resistance to disease, pests and herbicides, improved nutritive quality or greater tolerance of adverse growing conditions.

> Understanding the interactions between GM crops and bees is important to risk assessment and the safe development and commercialisation of GM crops. Bees visit many GM crops for the pollen and nectar they produce and thereby contribute to their seed and fruit production through their pollinating activities.

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