Plant Biotechnology
 

Biosafety

Electronic Journal of Biotechnology ISSN: 0717-3458 Vol. 13 No. 2, Issue of March 15, 2010
© 2010 by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso -- Chile Received June 28, 2009 / Accepted October 28, 2009
DOI: 10.2225/vol13-issue2-fulltext-5
SHORT COMMUNICATION

Monitoring the threat of unintentional transgene flow into maize gene banks and breeding materials 

Monica Mezzalama
Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo
Apdo. Postal 6-641
06600 Mexico, D.F., Mexico

Jonathan H. Crouch
Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo
Apdo. Postal 6-641
06600 Mexico, D.F., Mexico
 

Rodomiro Ortiz*
Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo
Apdo. Postal 6-641
06600 Mexico, D.F., Mexico

E-mail: r.ortiz@cgiar.org

*Corresponding author

Keywords: biosafety, genetic integrity, germplasm enhancement, GM-maize.

Abbreviations:

CGIAR: Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
CIMMYT: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
GE: genetically engineered
GM: genetically modified
PCR: polymerase chain reaction

Abstract   Full Text

The use of transgenic crops is steadily increasing around the world, led by soybean (based on total area) and maize (in terms of total number of countries). Transgenic maize is grown in at least 17 countries across four continents: Africa, America, Asia and Europe. The comprehensive global spread of transgenic maize has significant implications for organizations involved in germplasm conservation and genetic enhancement; particularly as some countries require a GMO-free declaration when receiving shipments of maize germplasm. This article describes the protocol used by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) for monitoring unintentional transgene flow in maize genebank and breeding plots. The protocol is based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers for detecting specific recombinant DNA sequences in bulked samples collected from sentinel plots. To date, no unintentional transgene flow has been detected in CIMMYT fields of maize genebank accessions or breeding materials.

Supported by UNESCO / MIRCEN network