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Genetically Modified Crops: Insect Resistance and Non-target Effects
Objective:
- Develop molecular genetic methods to detect Bt-resistance in the field to crops genetically modified to produce their own insecticide (Bt-crops)
- Use genetic data to improve the accuracy of models that predict resistance development
- Develop molecular indicators of Bt-crop exposure for non-target species
- Assess possible non-target effects of Bt-crops and traditional farming on non-target-species
Approach:
- Measure genetic variation and gene flow in pest populations.
- Determine the genetic basis for Bt-resistance in pest species.
- Genetically monitor non-target organisms to assess effects of Bt-crops.
- Compare the effects of Bt-crops and traditional farming on non-target species.
Why This Research Is Needed:
Genetically modified crops that produce their own pest-specific insecticides (also known as Bt-crops) constitute a large percentage of crop acreage in the U.S. with their use expected to increase in the future. These Bt-crops have potential environmental benefits because farmers can eliminate the use of traditional chemical pesticides in their fields. It is in EPA's interest to prevent or delay resistance development in pests targeted by Bt-crops because it would require a return to chemical insecticides.
However, the environmental benefits of these novel crops need to be balanced against their potential environmental harm. Therefore, unintended negative environmental impacts of Bt-crops need to be evaluated at ecologically relevant scales to ensure the environmental safety and benefits of this new technology. The U.S. EPA needs to continue to ensure the environmental safety of these crops as their use expands and new varieties of Bt-crops are commercialized. Thus, the impact of Bt-crops on beneficial or desirable insect species that are not the intended target of Bt-crops needs to be determined
Expected Outputs/Outcomes:
Generate critical data for insect resistance and non-target effects that can be incorporated into regulatory decisions by U.S. EPA by:
- Increasing the accuracy of models used by U.S. EPA to prevent insect resistance development.
- Development of molecular genetic screen to detect Bt-resistance in pests as early as possible in the field.
- Determine the population level effects of Bt-crops on selected non-target species.
Contact: Uwe Stolz (stolz.uwe@epa.gov) (Cincinnati, OH)