Plant Biotechnology and Genetics: Principles, Techniques and Applications

(Brent) #1

The example of testing nontarget butterfly species showed the value of field experiments in
environmental risk assessment. Laboratory and semi–field studies far overestimated any
adverse effect of Bt maize on caterpillars. Field experiments were needed for a comprehen-
sive evaluation of the real environmental effects of Bt maize. As every plant protection
practice has an impact on agroecosystems, the overall risk–benefit evaluation needs to
compare the impact of both chemical and GM pesticide treatment on nontarget organisms
(in this case butterflies) and the yield performance. Field testing for variety registration
demonstrates on one hand the sensitivity of the testing system to agricultural management
practices and on the other hand, the environmental impact of conventional and biotechno-
logical pest management strategies. Both types of environmental and economic studies did
not indicate any adverse effect of Bt maize per se. However, not every Bt corn variety had
the power to provide necessary (yield) benefits to the farmer.


LIFE BOX 13.1. DETLEF BARTSCH

Detlef Bartsch, Professor, RWTH University (Aachen) and Regulator at
Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (Berlin)

Detlef Bartschwith GM maize.

It was 1977 when I started my involve-
ment in “science” as a 16 year old political
rebel. I got a flysheet on the potential
environmental impact of nuclear power
stations and immediately felt that I
need[ed] to take action based on the

dramatic type of selected information,
which was provided by—I must say
looking backward—a group of concerned
citizens. During the following two per-
sonal years of storm and stress I joined
several environmental and political initiat-
ives trying to protect nature and the
environment.Takingpartinpublicdiscus-
sions I soon became wary of “official
experts”—sometimes professors—who
explainedinscientifictermsthat...“there
is no reason to worry...everything is
safe...trust me I am the expert.” As my
innocent intuition told me the opposite, I
decided that I myself should become an
environmental expert for protecting the
public against unscrupulous industry-
paid footmen.
I thought the best discipline for that
purpose was biology, and I started my
first semester in college in 1980. The
“no nukes” time was soon exchanged
by the age of “forest decline due to
acid rain,” which triggered a specializ-
ation in the second half of my study
towards ecology. I joined ecosystem
research in the Geobotany Institute of
the University of Go ̈ttingen and took
courses in forest ecology, soil sciences
and phytopathology. It was 1985 when
I discovered genetic engineering to be

LIFE BOX 13.1. DETLEF BARTSCH 321
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