Risk Assessment for Deliberate Releases: The Possible Impact of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms on the Environment

ISBN-13: 9783642734212 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 193 str.

Walter Klingm Ller

Opis

This thorough study is an assessment of the risks involved with the deliberate release of microorganisms modified by means of genetic engineering. Major emphasis is on European cooperative research projects such as the ones on Rhizobium and Baculovirus. Further contributions cover aspects of soil microbiology, genetic transformation in soil, molecular and plasmid genetics, horizontal spread of plasmids, as well as administrative, regulative and legal aspects in relation to possible releases.

Spis treści

A microbial ecologist looks once again at risk analysis.- Rhizobium leguminosarum as a model for investigating gene transfer in soil.- Genetic interaction of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae with Gram-negative bacteria.- of Rhizobium into soils.- Strategy for monitoring pea-nodulating Rhizobia without in vitro gene manipulation.- Preliminary trials of field release of Azospirillum brasilense as inoculant in Northern Italy.- The development and exploitation of “marker genes” suitable for risk evaluation studies on the release of genetically engineered micro-organisms in soil.- Safety of Baculoviruses used as biological insecticides.- An overview of insect Baculovirus ecology as a background to field release of a genetically manipulated nuclear polyhedrosis virus.- Some ecological aspects of the release of nonresident micro-organisms in soil and groundwater environments.- Plasmid transfer in soil and rhizosphere.- Bacteria with new pathways for the degradation of pollutants and their fate in model ecosystems.- Impact of mineral surfaces on gene transfer by trans-formation in natural bacterial environments.- The use of IS-elements for the characterization of Gram-negative bacteria.- Biological containment of bacteria and plasmids to be released in the environment.- Detection of containment breach in bioprocess plant using aerobiological monitors.- Studies on the fate and genetic stability of recombinant micro-organisms in model ecosystems.- Genetic variation and horizontal gene transfer: prospects of research of a group installed at the “Biologische Bundesanstalt”.- UK experience in regulating the release of genetically manipulated micro-organisms.- Legal aspects of risks in releasing genetically engineered micro-organisms, with special emphasis on the protection of industrial property.- The approach of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in regulating certain biotechnology products.