Plant Biotechnology and Genetics: Principles, Techniques and Applications

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