December 15, 2000
Generic Issues Report, published November 2000, $9.95. It is also available as a pdf file for free download here.
This is the first in a series of reference reports on key HSNO issues. The idea behind the generic issues reports is to take time to compile in-depth research into issues that arise in many HSNO applications.
Antibiotic resistance marker genes have been commonly used in the development of GMOs and the issues of concerns that might arise from this are debated repeatedly.
The report has been written to the following terms of reference:
- It evaluates the implications of the use of antibiotic resistance
marker genes in genetically modified organisms. This includes:
- the technical mechanisms available for the transfer of antibiotic resistance to other organisms,
- the likelihood of occurrence and under what circumstances,
- the practical effects of such transfers, that is the level and nature of risk presented, and
- the influence of antibiotics involved.
- It provides some degree of comparative analysis of the risks of the antibiotic resistance occurring by other means, and whether that represented by GMOs is additive or cumulative and is significant in that context.
- It considers the pros and cons of alternative selectable markers, including removal antibiotic resistance marker genes from GMOs for release. This will include other risks that may be increased by the alternatives.
The work will include a review of relevant scientific literature, will include informed inputs from sources within New Zealand and will consider the recommendations of other agencies, and their basis, about the use if antibiotic resistance marker genes.
The final report will draw conclusions about the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes in GMOs, in the context of applications under Part V of the HSNO Act 1996. It will also include identification of the unresolved issues and the level of certainty or uncertainty that can be attributed to the current state of knowledge.
The thorough analysis in this peer reviewed report should enable such concerns in the future to be considered more quickly and comprehensively than in the past.
The report was compiled and written by Deborah Read, Senior Public Health Advisor, ERMA New Zealand.
Deborah will be presenting at a seminar at ERMA New Zealand early in 2001.