Journal or Publishing Institution: Cadernos de Agroecologia
Date of Publication: 12/28/2013
Study: http://aba-agroecologia.org.br/revistas/index.php/cad/article/view/14013
Author(s): Bjørgaas, H. H.
Article Type: Study
Abstract:
Genetically modified (GM) maize has been planted in Brazil since the 2007/2008 growing season. Crosspollination from GM to non-GM maize, i.e. GM contamination, may have severe negative impact on genetic diversity, in addition to lost access to non-GM markets. Such contamination has previously been detected in Latin America, and is of great concern for farmers who wish to grow non-GM maize. In this study, we aimed to detect genetic contamination from GM maize to non-GM maize, and analyze the social context of such GM contamination, in a model system in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The transgenic protein Cry1Ab was detected in one non-GM maize field using lateral flow strips, and a Polymerase Chain Reaction confirmed the presence of the p35s promotor. In this case, lack of information about the national regulations of minimum distances between GM and non-GM maize might have enabled the GM contamination event.
Keywords: genetically modified (GM) maize, genetically modified (GM) corn, genetically engineered (GE), transgenic crops, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Bt corn, Bt maize, Bt crops, Bt toxin, Bacillus thuringienus, Cry proteins, Cry toxins, pesticides, insecticides, endotoxins, lateral flow strips, PCR, 35S promoter, coexistence, contamination, Brazil
Citation:
Bjørgaas, H. H., 2013. 14013-Case study from Santa Catarina, Brazil: GM contamination detected in maize variety. Cadernos de Agroecologia, 8(2).
Category:
- Environmental effects
- Regulatory issues
- Pesticide use
Record ID: 207
