Deficiencies in the Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Bt Cowpea Approved for Cultivation in Nigeria: A Critical Review
We analyze the application filed for the marketing and cultivation of genetically engineered Bt cowpea (event AAT 709A) approved in Nigeria in 2019. Cowpea (<i>Vigna ungiguiculata</i>) is extensively grown throughout sub-Saharan Africa and consumed by around two hundred million people. T...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/3/380 |
| _version_ | 1797485445827788800 |
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| author | Christoph Then Juliana Miyazaki Andreas Bauer-Panskus |
| author_facet | Christoph Then Juliana Miyazaki Andreas Bauer-Panskus |
| author_sort | Christoph Then |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We analyze the application filed for the marketing and cultivation of genetically engineered Bt cowpea (event AAT 709A) approved in Nigeria in 2019. Cowpea (<i>Vigna ungiguiculata</i>) is extensively grown throughout sub-Saharan Africa and consumed by around two hundred million people. The transgenic plants produce an insecticidal, recombinant Bt toxin meant to protect the plants against the larvae of <i>Maruca vitrata</i>, which feed on the plants and are also known as pod borer. Our analysis of the application reveals issues of concern regarding the safety of the Bt toxins produced in the plants. These concerns include stability of gene expression, impact on soil organisms, effects on non-target species and food safety. In addition, we show deficiencies in the risk assessment of potential gene flow and uncontrolled spread of the transgenes and cultivated varieties as well as the maintenance of seed collections. As far as information is publicly available, we analyze the application by referring to established standards of GMO risk assessment. We take the provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) into account, of which both Nigeria and the EU are parties. We also refer to the EU standards for GMO risk assessment, which are complementary to the provisions of the CPB. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:18:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c588a45a4fdf495895a958f85752a705 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:18:53Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-c588a45a4fdf495895a958f85752a7052023-11-23T17:31:00ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472022-01-0111338010.3390/plants11030380Deficiencies in the Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Bt Cowpea Approved for Cultivation in Nigeria: A Critical ReviewChristoph Then0Juliana Miyazaki1Andreas Bauer-Panskus2Testbiotech e.V., Institute for Independent Impact Assessment of Biotechnology, 80807 Munich, GermanyTestbiotech e.V., Institute for Independent Impact Assessment of Biotechnology, 80807 Munich, GermanyTestbiotech e.V., Institute for Independent Impact Assessment of Biotechnology, 80807 Munich, GermanyWe analyze the application filed for the marketing and cultivation of genetically engineered Bt cowpea (event AAT 709A) approved in Nigeria in 2019. Cowpea (<i>Vigna ungiguiculata</i>) is extensively grown throughout sub-Saharan Africa and consumed by around two hundred million people. The transgenic plants produce an insecticidal, recombinant Bt toxin meant to protect the plants against the larvae of <i>Maruca vitrata</i>, which feed on the plants and are also known as pod borer. Our analysis of the application reveals issues of concern regarding the safety of the Bt toxins produced in the plants. These concerns include stability of gene expression, impact on soil organisms, effects on non-target species and food safety. In addition, we show deficiencies in the risk assessment of potential gene flow and uncontrolled spread of the transgenes and cultivated varieties as well as the maintenance of seed collections. As far as information is publicly available, we analyze the application by referring to established standards of GMO risk assessment. We take the provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) into account, of which both Nigeria and the EU are parties. We also refer to the EU standards for GMO risk assessment, which are complementary to the provisions of the CPB.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/3/380Bt cowpeatransgenic plantsenvironmental risk assessmentbiodiversitygene flowfood safety |
| spellingShingle | Christoph Then Juliana Miyazaki Andreas Bauer-Panskus Deficiencies in the Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Bt Cowpea Approved for Cultivation in Nigeria: A Critical Review Plants Bt cowpea transgenic plants environmental risk assessment biodiversity gene flow food safety |
| title | Deficiencies in the Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Bt Cowpea Approved for Cultivation in Nigeria: A Critical Review |
| title_full | Deficiencies in the Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Bt Cowpea Approved for Cultivation in Nigeria: A Critical Review |
| title_fullStr | Deficiencies in the Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Bt Cowpea Approved for Cultivation in Nigeria: A Critical Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Deficiencies in the Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Bt Cowpea Approved for Cultivation in Nigeria: A Critical Review |
| title_short | Deficiencies in the Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Bt Cowpea Approved for Cultivation in Nigeria: A Critical Review |
| title_sort | deficiencies in the risk assessment of genetically engineered bt cowpea approved for cultivation in nigeria a critical review |
| topic | Bt cowpea transgenic plants environmental risk assessment biodiversity gene flow food safety |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/3/380 |
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