GM Algae for Biofuel Production: Biosafety and Risk Assessment ...
Initial risk assessment of genetically modified (GM)...
Transcript of Initial risk assessment of genetically modified (GM)...
Initial risk assessment of genetically modified (GM) algae for commodity-scale cultivation
William J. Henley & Lucie Novoveská*, Oklahoma State University R. Wayne Litaker, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Clifford S. Duke, Ecological Society of America Hector D. Quemada, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Richard T. Sayre, Los Alamos National Lab & New Mexico Consortium
* Present affiliation: Algae Systems, LLC http://www.sustainableguernsey.info/blog/wp-content/
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Development of GM Algae is Well Underway
“Knowledge of the effects of GMO microalgae is nonexistent.”*
Potential risks of GM algae (for biofuels & co-products) depends on: • probability of eventual escape • effects on ecosystem services • effects on public health • Bidirectional HGT b/w GM algae and other organisms
• … but would HGT recipients persist at high levels in nature? Algal biofuels LCA & TEA should include proactive RA & mitigation
• Rare de novo industry in environmentally-aware era • Be a model industry for real, pre-emptive environmental protection • Don’t deny/dismiss environmental concerns w/o supporting data
= 100% (even for PBRs)
à likely in mass cultivation at ~1018 algal cells ha-1 (x ~3x107 ha = 4% lower 48) > # stars in universe!
*Menentrez, M. 2012. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46:7073−7085.
Henley et al. 2013. Algal Res. 2:66-77 (modified)
Direct effects
Indirect effects
Add disabling GM traits
Add HGT-inhib-iting traits?
Example RA problem formulation: enhanced lipid content • Will biochemical differences between GM and WT algae persist in
prolonged suboptimal, fluctuating natural conditions? [probably not] • Will enhanced lipid content confer a competitive advantage for
escaped GM algae? [highly unlikely] • To what extent does palatability, nutritional value and relative
abundance of GM algae (compared to native algae) affect pop. biol. & spp. comp. of local consumers? [no info]
• For relevance to governmental regulation: do any effects on grazers adversely impact higher trophic levels including shell- or finfish? [no info]
• Mesocosm experiments, long-term in situ monitoring essential [dedicated funding & industry-academic partnerships]