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Methodologies and special considerations for environmental risk analysis of genetically modified aquatic biocontrol organisms

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Abstract

Genetic biocontrol of invasive aquatic species proposes to introduce, for control purposes, a genetically modified (GM) version of an invasive fish species to a targeted aquatic environment. Safe deployment and long term use of such technologies will depend on identifying and managing possible unintended effects to the natural environment. Environmental risk analysis (ERA) is a method for identifying the likelihood and consequences of unintended impacts, and for developing risk management strategies. For the unique situation of genetically modified biocontrol organisms (GMBOs), we review the latest thinking in ERA methodologies for GM fish and explore how terminology and assumptions from ERAs of traditional, non-modified biocontrol organisms and GM fish will need to be recast in ERAs of GMBOs. We also outline some special considerations that an ERA of a GMBOs will have to contend with: non-intuitive potential hazards; uncertainty introduced by extrapolating from domestic systems to natural ecosystems; redundancy in risk management options; and challenges of stakeholder engagement related to new technologies.

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Notes

  1. A transgene is a gene or genetic material transferred from one organism to another or from one part of an organism’s own genome to another part using recombinant DNA methods.

  2. Chromosomal manipulation (deliberate change in haploid sets of chromosomes with heritable effects on subsequent generations) also falls under the umbrella of GBC (Cotton and Wedekind 2007; Gutierrez and Teem 2006). We do not explore ERAs of fishes manipulated in this way, as they have not been modified to contain transgenes.

  3. Daughterless carp are genetically modified to cause all offspring that inherit the transgene to develop as males regardless of their genetic sex. As the transgene spreads, the target population eventually dwindles due to diminishing numbers of non-modified females capable of reproduction (Thresher 2008).

  4. Such inducible controls were the subject of speculative discussion at the International Symposium on the Genetic Biocontrol of Fish, Minneapolis, MN, USA, June 21–24, 2010. http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/biocontrol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dana and Sharpe Risk Associates, 1600 North Oak Street, #1206, Arlington, VA, 22209, USA

    Genya V. Dana

  2. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), Copenhagen, Denmark

    Anne M. Cooper

  3. Conservation Biology Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA

    Kelly M. Pennington & Leah S. Sharpe

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  1. Genya V. Dana
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  2. Anne M. Cooper
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  4. Leah S. Sharpe
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Correspondence to Genya V. Dana.

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Disclaimer: This article was written prior to the lead author’s employment at the US Department of State. The views expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of the US Department of State or the US Government.

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Dana, G.V., Cooper, A.M., Pennington, K.M. et al. Methodologies and special considerations for environmental risk analysis of genetically modified aquatic biocontrol organisms. Biol Invasions 16, 1257–1272 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-012-0391-x

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